Returning from military service is a profound transition. Veterans are often praised for bravery and sacrifice, but few talk about the emotional aftermath of service. Combat experiences, chronic pain, survivor’s guilt, grief, and trauma can become lifelong battles. For many, these unresolved wounds lead to addiction. Alcohol and drugs are used not for pleasure, but as a means of survival—to cope with haunting memories and overwhelming emotions.

Living Longer Recovery offers a specialized veteran addiction treatment program in Desert Hot Springs, California. Our treatment center is where healing is real, private, and grounded in respect for those who served. We provide medical detox, inpatient care, therapy, and ongoing support for veterans struggling with drug and alcohol use. Clients can access care through TRICARE insurance, and we proudly support veterans throughout Southern California and beyond.

Why Veterans Need Specialized Addiction Treatment

The needs of veterans are far removed from the mainstream population. Military training instills discipline, grit, and resilience, but these traits often make it harder to seek help. The majority of veterans fight alone. The psychological cost of deployment, combat, and family separation creates unseen wounds, especially when those experiences are not worked through.

Others develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or depression, and others have chronic pain or traumatic brain injury. Such conditions are typically compounded by losing friends, loneliness, and readjustment to civilian life. Over time, substances are used to forget, escape, or simply feel different.

Conventional rehab facilities may not entirely address these facts. That’s why our veteran addiction program goes deeper. We address the root trauma and mental illness behind drug and alcohol abuse. Our licensed clinical team works with each veteran to rebuild trust, discover positive coping skills, and find meaning outside service.

We are aware that veterans carry with them guilt and confusion, especially when they cannot cope with everyday life. They receive direction from our veteran addiction treatment program in coming to terms with their past while building a firm, drug-free future.

Veteran Addiction Treatment Center Services

Treatment at Living Longer Recovery begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment. This helps us understand each veteran’s health history, substance use, co-occurring disorders, and life circumstances. Based on these findings, a personalized treatment plan is developed and continually refined throughout care.

The first stage often includes medical detox, where licensed professionals supervise veterans during withdrawal. We support detox from alcohol, opioids, fentanyl, prescription drugs, and other substances. Medical staff remain available day and night to manage symptoms and provide safety.

After detox, many veterans move into inpatient rehab. This stage provides full-time care, including individual counseling, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment when needed. Our staff is trained in trauma-informed care and works with military veterans to address guilt, shame, grief, and anxiety in a safe space.

We offer a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for those transitioning out of residential care. This level of care maintains structure and intensive therapy but allows clients to sleep off-site or return to supportive housing. Veterans who need more flexibility can join our outpatient program, which includes scheduled sessions while allowing time for work, school, or family.

Our center also provides dual diagnosis treatment, recognizing that addiction rarely exists alone. Veterans with PTSD, depression, anxiety, or mood disorders receive integrated care that supports both their mental and physical health. We also involve families in treatment to help repair strained relationships and strengthen support systems.

Our Desert Hot Springs facility is designed to feel calm, private, and welcoming. Clients live in clean rooms, enjoy access to outdoor patios, and have space to reflect and recover.

Evidence-Based and Holistic Therapies for Veterans

At Living Longer Recovery, we combine all the best wellness therapies and clinical interventions to tackle every aspect of the addiction spectrum. The therapists all utilize well-respected approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients find their triggers and work through their unhealthy patterns of negative thinking, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation. This is particularly beneficial for veterans who are dealing with PTSD and a more complicated trauma history.

The Group therapy aspect allows veterans to share their experiences with their peers and learn from one another. In addition to rebuilding a sense of community, group therapy also provides accountability and not being isolated in their experience. Group therapy has a substantial psychological benefit from knowing you are not alone in your experiences.

With conventional talk therapy, we advance their healing with holistic therapies that support mind-body healing. The clients can express themselves through art, practice grounding and mindfulness, and receive gentle exercise for wellness. We also support healthy eating and sleeping so that they can progress in learning healthy habits upon leaving the program.

We work from the perspective that you must come to the veteran, which means being patient and respectful of the military trauma, and knowing healing is a relational, organic, and intimate process.

Ongoing Care Through PHP, Outpatient, and Family Services

Recovery doesn’t end with detox or inpatient rehab. Sustained healing requires continuity, consistency, and ongoing support. That’s why we’ve created a full continuum of care that supports veterans as they move through each phase of treatment.

Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) allows clients to participate in structured therapy throughout the day while returning to sober living or home in the evenings. This helps bridge the gap between inpatient and complete independence. Veterans benefit from daily group therapy, skill-building sessions, and medical oversight while gradually reintegrating outside the center.

Our outpatient rehab program offers more flexibility. Clients can attend counseling and therapy several times weekly while resuming work, education, or caregiving. Veterans can practice the skills they’ve learned in real-world situations, with guidance from our team as challenges arise.

Families are also part of the process. Addiction creates strain in even the closest relationships. Through our family program, we educate loved ones about addiction, help improve communication, and promote healing on both sides. When family members learn to support recovery in healthy ways, everyone benefits.

The connection doesn’t stop at discharge. We support long-term success by connecting veterans to alumni groups, sober living referrals, and local resources in their communities.

Using TRICARE Insurance to Access Care

Living Longer Recovery believes financial limitations should never prevent someone from receiving life-saving treatment. That’s why we accept TRICARE insurance, allowing many veterans and military families to receive care at little or no cost.

Our admissions team works directly with TRICARE to verify coverage and guide each client through the intake process. Veterans covered under TRICARE can often access detox, inpatient treatment, PHP, outpatient therapy, dual diagnosis care, and more under their benefits.

We also help with scheduling, transportation coordination, and referrals if needed. Whether you’re active duty, retired, or part of a military family, we’re here to help you understand your options and get started.

Accessing care through TRICARE is simple when you have the right team supporting you. We take care of the logistics so you can focus on what matters—getting healthy and rebuilding your life.

Call Living Longer Recovery Today

Veterans choose us because we treat them with respect, not pity. We listen, not lecture. We know that military service shapes a person in ways others may not understand. At Living Longer Recovery, we never ask veterans to explain their value—we affirm it through quality care.

As one of the best addiction treatment centers near Desert Hot Springs, we provide services that meet the emotional and physical needs of veterans. Our admissions team is experienced in trauma, addiction, mental health, and reintegration. Whether you’re dealing with alcohol addiction treatment, drug addiction treatment, or cocaine addiction treatment, we’re equipped to help.

Veterans don’t need to suffer alone. There’s strength in asking for help; we’re here to answer.

FAQs

Do you accept TRICARE insurance?
Yes. Living Longer Recovery works directly with TRICARE to provide covered services for eligible veterans, active-duty members, and their families.

Does the VA offer addiction help?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers various addiction treatment services. These include outpatient counseling, residential programs, medication-assisted treatment, and specialized therapy for co-occurring disorders like PTSD. Veterans can receive care at VA medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, or through VA-approved community providers. While these services are widely available, some veterans prefer private treatment centers for shorter wait times or more personalized care.

How long is the VA rehab program?
The length of a VA rehab program depends on the level of care and the veteran’s individual needs. Depending on progress and engagement, outpatient services may last a few weeks to several months. Residential programs can range from 30 to 90 days or longer. Aftercare planning and continued therapy are typically encouraged to support long-term recovery. Veterans can work with a VA case manager to determine the most appropriate timeline for treatment.

What other groups are there besides AA?
In addition to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), there are several other support groups for individuals in recovery. Veterans may choose SMART Recovery, which focuses on self-empowerment through science-based techniques. Refuge Recovery offers mindfulness and Buddhist-inspired approaches. Celebrate Recovery provides a Christian-centered path to healing. LifeRing Secular Recovery and Women for Sobriety are additional options, each offering unique perspectives. These alternatives allow veterans to find peer support that matches their values and recovery style.

What is the VA RRTP program?
The VA’s Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP) provides structured, live-in care for veterans dealing with addiction, mental health issues, or homelessness. RRTPs at VA medical centers nationwide may include therapy, medical care, housing assistance, vocational training, and life skills development. The program is designed to help veterans achieve stability and independence through a combination of clinical and practical support services. Admission criteria and length of stay vary depending on the specific RRTP facility and the veteran’s needs.