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Substance Use Treatment · Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia VA Medical Center (PVAMC) Addiction Recovery Unit

Medical Detox Outpatient Program
Address
3900 Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Accredited by
Joint Commission (JCAHO)
Admissions
Call to confirm availability

About

About Philadelphia VA Medical Center (PVAMC) Addiction Recovery Unit

The Philadelphia VA Medical Center (PVAMC) Addiction Recovery Unit is a federally operated substance use treatment program located at 3900 Woodland Avenue, Building 3, in Philadelphia, PA 19104. Situated within the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center campus, the unit operates around the clock — 24 hours a day, every day of the week — positioning it as a continuous-care resource for Veterans in the Philadelphia area who need immediate withdrawal management or structured addiction treatment.

The Addiction Recovery Unit offers two distinct levels of care: medical detox and an outpatient program. The medical detox service provides the supervised withdrawal management that many Veterans require as a first step before transitioning to longer-term treatment. The unit also holds an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) certification, reflecting a formal, federally recognized capacity to deliver opioid-focused treatment protocols within its care continuum. The outpatient program extends support beyond the acute detox phase for those who do not require residential-level care.

Clinically, the unit incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a therapeutic method and addresses co-occurring conditions including trauma and PTSD alongside substance use disorders. Joint Commission (JCAHO) accreditation signals that the program meets nationally recognized standards for clinical quality and patient safety — a benchmark that families researching detox options can use as a baseline measure of program integrity.

The Addiction Recovery Unit serves Veterans, seniors and older adults, men, women, and individuals who are court-ordered into treatment. Accepted payment includes private insurance, TRICARE, and self-pay. For Veterans navigating addiction and the complex intersection of military-related trauma, having access to a medically supervised detox program embedded within a VA system — one that treats co-occurring PTSD and dual diagnosis conditions — represents a clinically meaningful option that general community detox centers rarely replicate.

  • 24/7 medical detox embedded within a federally accredited VA medical center campus in Philadelphia
  • Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) certification — a federally recognized credential for structured opioid withdrawal and treatment protocols
  • Joint Commission (JCAHO) accreditation providing an independently verified quality benchmark
  • Dual diagnosis capability treating co-occurring trauma and PTSD alongside substance use disorders
  • TRICARE accepted, making it a direct-access detox option for active-duty family members and Veterans with military insurance

Treatment

What this center treats and how

Levels of care
Medical Detox Outpatient Program
Conditions
Trauma / PTSD Co-Occurring Disorders / Dual Diagnosis
Methods
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Populations
Veterans Seniors / Older Adults Men Women Court-Ordered
Languages
English

Location

Where it is

3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Get directions

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Medical Detox at the Philadelphia VA Addiction Recovery Unit

Medical detox is a primary level of care offered at the PVAMC Addiction Recovery Unit, serving Veterans who need clinically supervised withdrawal management as the first step in addressing substance use. The unit operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, meaning access to supervised detox is not restricted to business hours — a critical detail for individuals and families facing an urgent need.

The unit's Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) certification distinguishes it within the VA system as a program formally equipped for opioid-focused withdrawal protocols. For Veterans whose substance use involves opioids, this certification reflects a structured, federally recognized framework for care that goes beyond general detox services.

Co-Occurring Disorders: Trauma, PTSD, and Addiction Treatment

The Addiction Recovery Unit explicitly treats co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis conditions, including trauma and PTSD. For Veterans, the overlap between military-related trauma and substance use is well-documented, and a detox or outpatient program that can address both conditions within the same facility matters clinically. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is among the therapeutic methods used in the program.

Families researching detox options for a Veteran should note that general community detox centers are rarely equipped to manage active PTSD alongside withdrawal. The PVAMC unit's confirmed capacity for dual diagnosis treatment makes it a substantively different option from standard detox programs in the Philadelphia area.

Who Is Eligible and How to Pay

The Addiction Recovery Unit serves Veterans, seniors and older adults, men, women, and court-ordered individuals. It is a VA-based program, making Veteran status the primary population focus — though the confirmed payment data indicates that private insurance and self-pay are also accepted alongside TRICARE. TRICARE coverage makes the program directly accessible to eligible military family members as well.

The program is located in Philadelphia County and lists Philadelphia as its service area. For families and individuals in the region evaluating medically supervised detox programs, the combination of 24/7 availability, JCAHO accreditation, OTP certification, and dual diagnosis treatment within a single program is a meaningful clinical profile.

Accreditation and Program Credentials

The PVAMC Addiction Recovery Unit carries Joint Commission (JCAHO) accreditation — an independent, nationally recognized review that evaluates clinical safety, care quality, and operational standards. For individuals or families making a same-day or urgent decision about detox placement, JCAHO accreditation provides a verifiable external quality signal that does not rely on self-reported program descriptions.

In addition to JCAHO accreditation, the unit holds an Opioid Treatment Program certification, a federal designation that carries its own compliance and clinical standards. Together, these credentials position the Addiction Recovery Unit as one of the more formally credentialed detox and addiction treatment programs available through the VA system in Philadelphia.

Cost & Credentials

What's covered and who vouches for it

Payment options
Private Insurance TRICARE Self-Pay / Cash
Accreditations
Joint Commission (JCAHO) Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

Common questions

FAQs About Philadelphia VA Medical Center (PVAMC) Addiction Recovery Unit

Does the Philadelphia VA Medical Center offer medical detox? +
Yes. Medical detox is a confirmed level of care at the PVAMC Addiction Recovery Unit. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing continuous access to supervised withdrawal management for eligible individuals.
What is an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) certification and does this facility have one? +
An Opioid Treatment Program certification is a federally recognized designation indicating that a facility meets specific standards for delivering opioid-focused treatment protocols. The PVAMC Addiction Recovery Unit holds an OTP certification, which is confirmed in its program credentials.
Is the Philadelphia VA Addiction Recovery Unit accredited? +
Yes. The program holds Joint Commission (JCAHO) accreditation. This is an independently issued credential based on evaluation of clinical quality and patient safety standards, separate from VA system oversight.
Does the program treat co-occurring mental health conditions alongside addiction? +
Yes. The Addiction Recovery Unit is confirmed to treat co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis conditions, including trauma and PTSD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is among the therapeutic methods used in the program.
What populations does the PVAMC Addiction Recovery Unit serve? +
The unit serves Veterans, seniors and older adults, men, women, and court-ordered individuals. Given its VA medical center setting, Veterans are the primary population, though the payment options suggest broader eligibility may exist for certain individuals.
What payment options are accepted for detox at this VA program? +
The confirmed payment methods are private insurance, TRICARE, and self-pay. TRICARE coverage makes the program a direct-pay option for eligible Veterans and qualifying military family members. Specific insurance carriers accepted are not confirmed.
Does the facility offer outpatient treatment in addition to detox? +
Yes. In addition to medical detox, the Addiction Recovery Unit offers an outpatient program. This allows for a step-down level of care for individuals who have completed detox and do not require a higher level of ongoing residential support.
What are the hours of operation for the Philadelphia VA Addiction Recovery Unit? +
The unit is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week, including weekends and holidays based on the confirmed operating schedule. This around-the-clock availability applies to all seven days.
Where is the PVAMC Addiction Recovery Unit located? +
The unit is located at 3900 Woodland Avenue, Building 3, Philadelphia, PA 19104. It is part of the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center campus in Philadelphia County.
Can someone who is court-ordered into treatment receive services here? +
Yes. Court-ordered individuals are among the confirmed populations served by the PVAMC Addiction Recovery Unit. Both medical detox and outpatient program levels of care are available at this location.
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