Get Help for Substance Abuse

<p>Substance abuse is the misuse of alcohol (including underage drinking), use of illegal drugs, and the improper use of prescription or over-the-counter medications. Find treatment and recovery services for substance abuse and learn how to prevent drug and alcohol problems.</p><h3>Recognize the Signs and Effects of Substance Abuse</h3><p>Alcohol and drug addiction can happen to anyone at any age. Learn the signs of someone with a drug or alcohol problem, the effect of drugs, and how to prevent substance abuse: </p><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://easyread.drugabuse.gov/content/what-are-some-signs-and-symptoms-someone-drug-use-problem">Find the signs of someone with a drug use problem</a>.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/How-much-is-too-much/Whats-the-harm/What-Are-Symptoms-Of-Alcohol-Use-Disorder.aspx">Find the signs of someone with an alcohol use problem.</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://medlineplus.gov/opioidmisuseandaddiction.html">Learn about opioid abuse and addiction</a>.</li></ul><h3>Find Treatment for Substance Abuse</h3><p>The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers these services to help with drug and alcohol abuse:</p><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline">Call SAMHSA's national helpline</a> at <a href="tel:18006624357">1-800-662-HELP</a><strong> </strong>(<a href="tel:18006624357">1-800-662-4357</a>). This treatment referral and information service is confidential, free, and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English and Spanish for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/">Search for a treatment facility near you</a>. Get help with problems related to substance abuse, addiction, or mental health issues.</li><li>The <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/">Alcohol Treatment Navigator</a> explains how different treatment options work, how to choose a quality program, and how to get support for yourself or for a loved one through the recovery process.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment">Get medication-assisted treatment (MAT)</a>. This involves using medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. It can be used for opioid addictions, such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates, and to help <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions/opioid-overdose">prevent an opioid overdose</a>. </li></ul><h3>Find Substance Abuse Treatment Programs for Veterans</h3><p>The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers veterans and their families a wide range of support services for substance abuse:</p><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/substanceabuse.asp">Find a VA treatment center</a>. Search for a local VA substance abuse disorder (SUD) treatment program or a VA medical center with mental health specialists.</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/">Contact the Veterans Crisis Line</a> at <a href="tel:18002738255">1-800-273-8255</a> and press 1, <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat">chat online with a VA responder</a>, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.</li></ul><h3>Find Local Help Centers for Alcohol and Drug Addiction</h3><p>Get help from local support groups and other services in your community to stop drinking and taking drugs:</p><ul><li>Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) helps people with problems controlling how much alcohol they drink, and who wish to stop drinking. <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/find-aa-resources">Locate a meeting center</a> or an <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://aa-intergroup.org/">online support group</a>.</li><li>Al-Anon supports people affected by alcoholic family members or friends. <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/">Find a meeting in your area</a>.</li><li>Alateen is part of the Al-Anon safe group and offers <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen/">help for teens dealing with a parent’s alcohol abuse</a>.</li><li>Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) assists people who want to stop abusing prescription or illegal drugs. <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/">Find a meeting center</a> or online support group by searching for the local helpline or website for the area where the meeting is located.</li><li>NAR-Anon supports people affected by someone using and abusing drugs. <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.nar-anon.org/find-a-meeting">Search for a meeting in your area</a>.</li><li>SMART Recovery assists young people and adults with alcohol or other addictions through group therapy sessions. <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.smartrecoverytest.org/local/">Go to a SMART Recovery meeting in person</a> or <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/calendar.php#.VT_FyCFVhBc">attend an online meeting</a>.</li></ul>

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Help for Veterans

<p>If you or someone you know needs help now, contact the <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/">Veterans Crisis Line</a>. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can:</p><ul><li><p>Call <a href="tel:18002738255">1-800-273-8255</a> and Press 1</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat">Chat online</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Send a text message to 838255</p></li></ul><h3>Mental Health Services from the VA</h3><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/">Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health services</a> can help with:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/suicide-prevention/">Suicidal thoughts</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/depression/">Depression</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Anxiety</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems/">Substance abuse</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/ptsd/">Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/military-sexual-trauma/">Sexual trauma</a></p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Other issues</p></li></ul><h3>Eligibility for Mental Health Services</h3><p>Veterans enrolled in <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.usa.gov/veteran-health#item-35807">VA health care</a> can receive mental health services.</p><p>Even if you're not enrolled in VA health care, you may be able to get help.</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/transitioning-service/resources.asp">All veterans can get free VA mental health care for a year</a> after they leave the military.</p></li><li><p>Vets who served in a combat zone can get free counseling and substance abuse screening at VA vet centers.</p></li><li><p>Other vets not enrolled in VA health care may be eligible for some types of support. Call the VA at <a href="tel:18008271000">1-800-827-1000</a> to find out.</p></li></ul><h3>Find VA Facilities</h3><p>You can call or go to any VA medical center or vet center to get help. VA medical centers are open 24/7. <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/find-locations/">Find VA locations near you.</a></p><h3>Substance Abuse Treatment for Veterans</h3><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems/">Veterans with substance use problems</a> can get help through the VA. Treatment <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/res-vatreatmentprograms.asp">may include</a>:</p><ul><li><p>Safe detoxification with medication</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Outpatient counseling</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Residential care</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Continuing care</p></li></ul><p>You can seek treatment at a <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/find-locations/">VA location</a> or you can <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/SUD.asp">find a VA substance use disorder treatment program near you</a>.</p><h3>Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)</h3><p>The VA can help <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/ptsd/">veterans with PTSD</a>, no matter when the triggering event occurred.</p><ul><li><p>Learn about PTSD and treatment options at the VA's <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp">National Center for PTSD</a>.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Find specialized <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/PTSD.asp">PTSD treatment program locations</a>.</p></li></ul><h3>Support Programs for Life Events</h3><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.pdhealth.mil/resources/intransition">inTransition</a> program offers specialized coaching for military members and veterans during transitions like:</p><ul><li><p>Changing duty stations</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Returning from deployment</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Preparing to leave the military</p></li></ul><p>To enroll, call <a href="tel:18004247877">1-800-424-7877</a>. Outside the U.S., call (DSN) 1-800-424-4685.</p><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.maketheconnection.net/">Make the Connection</a> helps vets, friends, and family find help for various life issues.</p><h3>Self-Help Resources and Apps</h3><p>Use these mobile apps and online tools to help work through challenges:</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://ncgwg.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Resources_-Apps-for-Veterans.pdf">Free mental health smartphone apps</a> help with managing stress, fighting depression, relaxation, and positive thinking. Other apps can help you quit smoking, lose weight, and work with a therapist.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/index.asp">Veteran Training online self-help portal</a> is for overcoming everyday challenges. It includes courses on problem-solving, parenting, anger management, and getting better sleep.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/ptsdcoachonline/default.htm">PTSD Coach Online</a> has tools to cope with symptoms like sadness, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. It was created to deal with issues that trauma survivors often develop.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>More self-help resources <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/self_help.asp">include videos, books, and websites</a>.</p></li></ul><h3>Specialized Helplines for Veterans and Families</h3><p>You can also find help through these websites and toll-free numbers:</p><ul><li><p>Combat veterans hotline - 1-877-WAR-VETS (<a href="tel:18779278387">1-877-927-8387</a>). Combat vets can talk to a fellow combat veteran. The line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/mental_health_services.asp#one">National Call Center for Homeless Veterans</a> - 1-877-4AID-VET (<a href="tel:18774243838">1-877-424-3838</a>)</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/ProgramOverview/wvcc.asp">Women Veterans Call Center</a> - 1-855-VA-WOMEN (<a href="tel:18558296636">1-855-829-6636</a>)</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org./web/20210318000710/https://www.caregiver.va.gov/Care_Caregivers.asp">VA Caregiver Support Line</a> - <a href="tel:18552603274">1-855-260-3274</a></p></li></ul>

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Find mental health services, including treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Get help for veterans and family members to deal with mental health issues.