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Substance Use Treatment · Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center

Medical Detox Residential Treatment (SARRTP) Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Outpatient Program
Address
1111 East End Boulevard Behavioral Health Services 116
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania 18711
Accredited by
Joint Commission (JCAHO), CARF
Available
24/7 admissions

About

About Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center

The Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center anchors VA Healthcare for veterans across northeastern and central Pennsylvania, serving Luzerne County and surrounding rural counties from its main campus at 1111 East End Boulevard. Behavioral Health Services 116 houses the medical center’s substance use disorder programming, one of the more comprehensive veteran-focused continuums in the region.

Clinical services begin with medical detoxification on the medical center campus, allowing veterans to safely withdraw from alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances under continuous medical oversight. From detox, eligible veterans can enter the VA’s Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program — known across the system as SARRTP — for structured residential rehabilitation alongside cognitive behavioral therapy, group work, and skills-building for relapse prevention. Veterans not requiring residential care, or stepping down from it, can access Intensive Outpatient and traditional outpatient programs at the medical center or through community-based outpatient clinics.

Because the substance use program is embedded inside a full VA medical center, veterans have direct, integrated access to primary care, psychiatric care, PTSD specialty treatment, pain management, and inpatient psychiatry. This integration matters in a population where chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress, and substance use frequently overlap. Medication-assisted treatment with methadone or buprenorphine is available for opioid use disorder, and peer support specialists — fellow veterans in recovery — are part of the team.

The medical center is accredited by both The Joint Commission and CARF, providing two independent layers of external clinical review. There is generally no out-of-pocket cost to enrolled veterans, and the VA additionally bills private insurance or TRICARE for veterans whose benefits situation calls for it. Veterans can begin by calling 570-824-3521 ext. 27738 to schedule a substance use screening, or by speaking with their primary care team about a referral.

  • Specialized 10-bed medical detox unit exclusively for veterans requiring withdrawal management
  • 24/7 medically supervised detox services with VA healthcare professionals experienced in military populations
  • Joint Commission and CARF accredited facility ensuring clinical standards for detox programs
  • Comprehensive veterans-only treatment including medical detox through residential and outpatient care
  • Accepts TRICARE and major insurance with immediate access for eligible veterans in crisis

Treatment

What this center treats and how

Levels of care
Medical Detox Residential Treatment (SARRTP) Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Outpatient Program
Conditions
Alcohol Addiction Drug Addiction Opioid Addiction Trauma / PTSD Co-Occurring Disorders / Dual Diagnosis
Methods
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Group Therapy Individual Counseling Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Telehealth Peer Support
Populations
Veterans Deaf / Hard Of Hearing
Languages
English American Sign Language (ASL)
Facility
VA Medical Center campus on East End Boulevard Behavioral Health Services unit Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP) Telehealth available across VA Pacific Islands network Veterans Crisis Line integration

Location

Where it is

1111 East End Boulevard Behavioral Health Services 116, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania 18711 Get directions

Ready to talk to Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center?

Calls go directly to the center. Free and confidential.

Call 570-824-3521 x27738

Medical Detox Services for Veterans

The Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center operates a 10-bed substance abuse residential rehabilitation treatment program (SARRTP) providing immediate medical detox services for veterans experiencing withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and other substances. This specialized inpatient detox unit operates 24 hours daily, ensuring veterans can access medically supervised withdrawal management when crisis situations arise.

Medical detox services include comprehensive withdrawal protocols managed by VA healthcare professionals trained specifically in treating substance use disorders among military populations. The facility maintains both Joint Commission (JCAHO) and CARF accreditations, demonstrating adherence to clinical standards for medical detox and ongoing addiction treatment programs.

Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Programs

Beyond medical detox, the facility provides residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and standard outpatient services designed specifically for veterans transitioning through different phases of recovery. The residential component allows veterans to remain in a structured environment following medical detox, receiving continued medical supervision and therapeutic intervention.

Treatment programming incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with wellness activities including fitness center access, meditation, yoga, and tai chi. Veterans receive healthy meal programs and library access throughout their stay, supporting both physical stabilization during detox and longer-term recovery planning.

Insurance and Veteran Benefits

The medical center accepts TRICARE along with major private insurance carriers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Cigna, and Humana. Veterans eligible for VA healthcare benefits can access immediate medical detox services without extensive authorization processes that might delay critical withdrawal management.

Under the direction of Medical Center Director Russell E. Lloyd, the facility serves veterans exclusively, including specialized accommodations for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This veterans-only environment ensures peer support during detox comes from others with shared military experiences and understanding of service-related substance use challenges.

After Care

Continuing support

VA primary care coordination Continued outpatient SUD therapy My HealtheVet patient portal Peer support groups Mental health follow-up

Cost & Credentials

What's covered and who vouches for it

Payment options
Private Insurance TRICARE VA Benefits
Accreditations
Joint Commission (JCAHO) CARF

Common questions

FAQs About Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center

Does the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center provide medical detox services? +
Yes, the facility operates a specialized 10-bed medical detox unit as part of their substance abuse residential rehabilitation treatment program (SARRTP). Veterans receive 24/7 medically supervised withdrawal management from alcohol, opioids, and other substances.
What levels of care are available after medical detox? +
Following medical detox, veterans can transition to residential treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), or standard outpatient services. The facility provides continuity of care from initial withdrawal management through ongoing addiction treatment.
Does VA have substance abuse treatment for veterans? +
Yes, the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center provides comprehensive substance abuse treatment exclusively for veterans. Services include medical detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programs designed specifically for military populations.
Does the VA offer inpatient rehab after detox? +
Yes, the facility operates a 10-bed inpatient residential rehabilitation program. Veterans can receive residential treatment following medical detox, providing continued medical supervision and therapeutic programming in a structured environment.
What insurance does the Wilkes Barre VA accept for detox services? +
The medical center accepts TRICARE and major private insurance including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Humana. Veterans eligible for VA healthcare benefits can access medical detox services through their VA coverage.
Is the facility accredited for medical detox services? +
Yes, Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center maintains both Joint Commission (JCAHO) and CARF accreditations. These accreditations ensure adherence to clinical standards for medical detox and substance abuse treatment programs.
What therapeutic methods are used during and after detox? +
The facility incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with wellness programming including meditation, yoga, and tai chi. Veterans also have access to fitness center facilities and structured meal programs during their detox and treatment stay.
Can family members get information about veteran detox services? +
Family members can contact the behavioral health services department at 570-824-3521 x27738 for information about medical detox and treatment programs. The facility operates 24 hours daily for immediate consultation regarding withdrawal management needs.
Does the VA facility serve veterans who are deaf or hard of hearing? +
Yes, the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center provides specialized accommodations for veterans who are deaf or hard of hearing. The facility ensures accessible medical detox and treatment services for veterans with hearing disabilities.

Services

Programs and specialties

Treatment type
Hospital inpatient Outpatient Residential treatment Inpatient medical detox and stabilization IOP Outpatient methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone treatment Aftercare recovery programs Short-term residential Alcohol 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 Medicare Medicaid Military insurance (e.g. TRICARE)
Specialty
Mental health counseling for co-occurring disorders Group therapy Family therapy Marital/couples counseling Addiction recovery education Adult men Gay & Lesbian Veterans Clients referred from the court/judicial system
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