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Hospital Program · San Francisco, California

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Medical Detox Outpatient Program Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
Address
4150 Clement Street
San Francisco, California 94121
Accredited by
Joint Commission (JCAHO), CARF
Available
24/7 admissions

About

About Veterans Affairs Medical Center

The San Francisco VA Medical Center is a federal Department of Veterans Affairs hospital serving U.S. Veterans throughout the Bay Area from its Clement Street campus in San Francisco’s Outer Richmond neighborhood. The facility provides addiction treatment as part of comprehensive VA medical, surgical, mental health, and rehabilitation services. Veterans access substance use disorder care through outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and medical detoxification programming integrated with primary care.

The VA holds dual accreditation from the Joint Commission and CARF, plus SAMHSA certification as an Opioid Treatment Program for Veterans needing methadone or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Care is delivered exclusively to eligible Veterans who qualify for VA health benefits, with services available regardless of ability to pay. TRICARE coverage may apply for active-duty service members or qualifying dependents in some cases.

Clinical programming addresses substance use disorders, co-occurring trauma and PTSD, depression, and other mental health conditions common among Veterans returning from military service. The VA’s evidence-based approach includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, MAT for opioid use disorder, and trauma-informed care delivered by clinicians trained in military-related conditions. The substance use disorder clinic supports Veterans through detox, stabilization, and ongoing recovery management.

The SF VA Medical Center is part of the larger San Francisco VA Health Care System, which includes community-based outpatient clinics across Northern California. Veterans can access scheduling, prescription refills, and care team messaging through the VA Health and Benefits App or the My HealtheVet portal. Crisis support is available 24/7 via the Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1) for Veterans in immediate need. Court-ordered Veterans referred through Veterans Treatment Courts can also access care through this facility.

  • Exclusive medical detox services designed specifically for military veterans
  • 24/7 hospital-based withdrawal management with Joint Commission accreditation
  • Specialized dual diagnosis treatment for PTSD and substance use disorders
  • Certified opioid treatment program with medically supervised protocols
  • Integration with comprehensive VA healthcare system for seamless care transitions

Treatment

What this center treats and how

Levels of care
Medical Detox Outpatient Program Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
Conditions
Substance Use Disorder Co-Occurring Disorders / Dual Diagnosis Trauma / PTSD Opioid Use Disorder
Methods
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Medication-Assisted Treatment Trauma-informed care
Populations
Veterans Men Women HIV/AIDS Support Deaf / Hard Of Hearing Court-Ordered
Languages
English
Facility
VA medical center serving San Francisco Bay Area Veterans Telehealth services Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Clinic Integrated VA benefits and primary care Located on Clement Street in San Francisco's Outer Richmond

Location

Where it is

4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, California 94121 Get directions

Ready to talk to Veterans Affairs Medical Center?

Calls go directly to the center. Free and confidential.

Call 415-221-4810 x24362

Medical Detox Services for Veterans

Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides hospital-based medical detox with 24-hour medical supervision for veterans experiencing withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and other substances. The detox center maintains Joint Commission and CARF accreditation, ensuring adherence to established withdrawal management protocols and safety standards.

The facility operates as a certified opioid treatment program, offering medically supervised detox with specialized protocols for managing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Veterans receive comprehensive medical monitoring during the detox process, with clinical staff trained in both addiction medicine and military trauma considerations.

Dual Diagnosis and PTSD Treatment

The detox center specializes in treating veterans with co-occurring disorders, addressing both substance use disorders and mental health conditions simultaneously. Clinical staff provide trauma-informed withdrawal management, recognizing how PTSD and military trauma often contribute to substance abuse patterns among veterans.

Treatment protocols incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy alongside medical detox services, helping veterans develop coping strategies while managing withdrawal symptoms. The program addresses unique veteran populations including those with HIV/AIDS, hearing impairments, and court-ordered treatment requirements.

Inpatient to Outpatient Care Transitions

Following medical detox, veterans can transition to intensive outpatient programs and ongoing addiction treatment services within the VA system. The facility coordinates care transitions to prevent treatment gaps and support long-term recovery planning.

The program offers both men and women comprehensive detox services with accommodation for special needs populations. Veterans benefit from integration with broader VA healthcare services, ensuring continuity of care for medical conditions alongside addiction treatment.

After Care

Continuing support

VA outpatient and primary care follow-up Veterans Crisis Line 988 Long-term VA behavioral health support

Cost & Credentials

What's covered and who vouches for it

Payment options
VA Health Benefits TRICARE
Accreditations
Joint Commission (JCAHO) CARF SAMHSA Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

Common questions

FAQs About Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Does the VA have a drug rehab facility in San Francisco? +
Yes, Veterans Affairs Medical Center operates a medical detox program and addiction treatment services at 4150 Clement Street in San Francisco. The facility provides medically supervised withdrawal management and intensive outpatient programs for veterans.
What types of detox services does the San Francisco VA provide? +
The facility offers medical detox for alcohol, opioids, and other substances with 24/7 medical supervision. They operate as a certified opioid treatment program and provide specialized withdrawal management protocols for veterans.
Does the VA medical center treat dual diagnosis conditions? +
Yes, the facility specializes in dual diagnosis treatment for veterans with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions, particularly PTSD and trauma-related disorders.
Is the San Francisco VA detox program accredited? +
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center maintains Joint Commission and CARF accreditation, ensuring compliance with national standards for medical detox and addiction treatment services.
What happens after medical detox at the San Francisco VA? +
Veterans can transition to intensive outpatient programs and ongoing addiction treatment services within the VA system. The facility coordinates care transitions to support continued recovery planning.
Does the VA detox program operate 24 hours? +
Yes, the medical detox program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing continuous medical supervision during withdrawal management.
Can female veterans receive detox services at the San Francisco VA? +
Yes, the facility serves both male and female veterans, along with special populations including those with hearing impairments and court-ordered treatment requirements.
What therapeutic approaches does the VA detox program use? +
The program incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy with medical detox services, using trauma-informed care approaches specifically designed for veterans with PTSD and military trauma histories.

Services

Programs and specialties

Treatment type
Outpatient Outpatient detoxification IOP Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone treatment Aftercare recovery programs Alcohol Detoxification Benzodiazepines Detoxification Cocaine Detoxification Opioid Detoxification Methamphetamines detoxification Routinely uses medication for detoxification
Payment
Cash or self-payment State-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid Federal or any government funding for substance use programs IHS/Tribal/Urban (ITU) funds Military insurance (e.g. TRICARE)
Specialty
Mental health counseling for co-occurring disorders Group therapy Marital/couples counseling Addiction recovery education Adolescents and young adults Veterans
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