It’s no secret that veterans struggle with addiction and mental health in ways many throughout the private sector don’t. After serving their country, whether it be for months, years, or even decades, veterans often return home with a slew of both visible and invisible wounds, such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. While in most instances, they give their lives for our country, they often find themselves lacking access to many vital services, including mental health support.
Thankfully, TRICARE, a military health insurance company, offers coverage that can help veterans access vital addiction and mental health treatment, including drug rehab programs at Discovery Institute’s drug rehab for veterans in Marlboro, New Jersey. In this blog, we will explore he connection between veterans and addiction, challenges they face in getting treatment, and how TRICARE insurance plays a vital role in helping them reclaim their lives.
Veterans And Addiction: What’s the Connection?
As we mentioned, military service can take a profound physical and mental toll on a person’s well-being. Veterans often experience combat exposure, long deployments, and high-stress environments, all of which can contribute to substance use disorders (SUDs). In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 1 in 10 veterans who seek care at the U.S. Veterans Administration meet the criteria to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder, higher than the general population.
Some of the most common substances misused by veterans include:
- Alcohol
- Prescription drugs
- Illicit drugs
In many cases, substance abuse in veterans is the result of an attempt at self-medicating. Veterans may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other substances of abuse as a way to manage and address their unresolved trauma, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and emotional distress. This often co-occurs with mental health disorders, such as PTSD and depression, leading to what’s known as co-occurring disorders.
Challenges Veterans Face with Addiction and Mental Illness
While turning to drugs and alcohol as a way to try and deal with their challenges is a problem, it’s also the symptom of a much larger issue at hand. Far too often, veterans turn to drugs or alcohol because they feel as though they have no other choice. This can be the result of many different factors, such as:
The stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness remains significant for people in all walks of life, but particularly veterans. Veterans often feel pressure to appear strong and self-reliant, all attributes deeply ingrained in them during military training. This mindset can lead many to avoid seeking help for fear of being judged or misunderstood, both socially and professionally.
Despite high rates of substance use and mental health disorders, many veterans face serious obstacles to receiving the care they need. Limited access to qualified providers, long wait times at VA facilities, and bureaucratic complexities can delay or prevent timely treatment.
Even with access to insurance or VA benefits, the costs associated with addiction treatment, especially private or out-of-network care, can deter veterans from seeking help. Out-of-pocket expenses for inpatient rehab, therapy, or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can be overwhelming for those living on fixed or limited incomes.
TRICARE: Covering Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Veterans
Luckily, for those veterans who are struggling, TRICARE is there to help. TRICARE serves military personnel, retirees, and their families, providing access to vital services such as:
- Medical detoxification
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Mental health therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Veterans covered under TRICARE can access these services through in-network providers like the Discovery Institute, which specializes in evidence-based addiction treatment tailored to the unique needs of veterans.
Insurance Coverage for Dual Diagnosis Treatment
As we briefly touched on earlier, when anyone, including a veteran, suffers from a substance use disorder as well as a mental health disorder, it is known as a co-occurring disorder. Co-occurring disorders require a specialized form of treatment known as dual diagnosis treatment. Since, in many cases, the substance use disorder was caused by an undiagnosed or untreated mental health condition, dual diagnosis treatment is used to address both the substance abuse and the mental health condition simultaneously.
For those veterans suffering from a co-occurring disorder, TRICARE covers dual diagnosis treatment. TRICARE typically covers psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and integrated addiction treatment.
Should you have any questions about what your TRICARE plan does and doesn’t cover before you start treatment, you can reach out to your TRICARE representative, or you can simply fill out our insurance verification form. We will take a look at your plan and let you know what is and isn’t covered. Furthermore, should you be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses, we will let you know BEFORE you begin treatment.
Discovery Institute is In-Network With TRICARE Insurance
At Discovery Institute, we are proud to be an in-network facility for those with TRICARE insurance, making it easier for veterans to access high-quality rehab services. Located in New Jersey, Discovery Institute offers:
- A structured and supportive environment
- Veteran-specific group therapy
- Trauma-informed care
- Psychiatric support and MAT
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Evidence-based therapies like CBT and EMDR
How Does TRICARE Insurance Help Veterans With Addiction and Mental Illness?
TRICARE insurance helps veterans by providing a financial and logistical lifeline to addiction and mental health treatment by offering the following:
- Access to Diverse Treatment Options – TRICARE covers multiple levels of care, allowing veterans to move between detox, inpatient, and outpatient programs as needed.
- Mental Health Parity – TRICARE complies with mental health parity laws, meaning coverage for mental health and addiction treatment is comparable to physical health coverage.
- Prescription Drug Coverage – TRICARE helps cover the cost of medications often used in MAT, such as Suboxone and Vivitrol, which are vital for treating opioid and alcohol use disorders.
- Nationwide Network – Veterans can access care nationwide, including rehab facilities that are equipped to treat both addiction and co-occurring disorders.
- Support for Families – TRICARE also offers services for family members of veterans, including family therapy and education to support recovery at home.
Changes to TRICARE: How It Will Impact Access to Insurance for Healthcare?
In 2025, TRICARE is undergoing substantial changes aimed at improving care, but not without some growing pains. If you have TRICARE and are considering treatment, here are some important things you need to know:
Six states in the United States: Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin are transitioning from the TRICARE East Region to the West Region. This affects roughly 1.5 million beneficiaries. Veterans in these states may experience temporary disruptions as new systems are implemented.
Numerous providers have reported months of unpaid claims due to administrative backlogs related to the transition. According to NBC News, several thousand TRICARE providers have gone unpaid for months. This has led to:
- Clinics reducing hours
- Providers dropping TRICARE patients
- Threats of closure due to financial instability
This disruption poses a serious risk to the continuity of care, particularly for veterans in addiction or mental health treatment.
TRICARE has also changed to its pharmacy program, limiting access to certain prescriptions or pharmacy providers. Veterans who rely on medication-assisted treatment or psychiatric medications may find it harder to get timely refills or access specialized compounds. The backlog in processing claims has created bottlenecks that further reduce accessibility.
TRICARE Coverage for Addiction Treatment
Even while these changes are being made, TRICARE is still doing its best to offer robust coverage for addiction treatment services, including:
- Medical detox
- Residential rehabilitation programs
- Outpatient rehab
- MAT
- Family counseling
- Peer support programs
TRICARE Coverage for Dual Diagnosis Treatment
TRICARE also continues to offer integrated care models such as dual diagnosis treatment, an essential service for those veterans suffering from PTSD, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder alongside a substance use disorder.
With TRICARE, veterans dealing with co-occurring disorders can access:
- Integrated therapy
- Psychiatric evaluations
- Medication management
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Trauma-focused therapy
Discovery Institute Offers TRICARE Insurance Benefits for Veterans
Veterans face a unique set of challenges when it comes to addiction and mental health. While it may not feel like it at times, it’s important to remember that, as a veteran, not only are you not alone, but help is also available.
At Discovery Institute, veterans with TRICARE insurance can find a welcoming and specialized environment designed for healing, offering:
- Custom treatment plans
- Veteran-specific groups and trauma therapy
- Detox and residential services
- Dual diagnosis care
- 24/7 clinical support
As an in-network provider, Discovery Institute removes the burden of navigating complicated insurance claims. Our admissions team handles verification and authorization, ensuring veterans can focus on recovery, not red tape.
If you’re a veteran looking for compassionate, evidence-based addiction treatment, contact us today. Our team is ready to help you navigate TRICARE insurance and begin your journey toward recovery.
Dr. Michael DeShields, MD, ASAM, DABAM, is a distinguished Medical Director with nearly 40 years of expertise in addiction medicine. A diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine since 1996, he is renowned for his leadership and commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care. Dr. DeShields earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his training at Cooper University Medical Center, where he cultivated his passion for addiction treatment. His dedication and innovation continue to shape the field, guiding clinical teams and supporting patients on their recovery journey.
