Des Moines VA Medical Center

About Des Moines VA Medical Center

At the VA Central Iowa Health Care System VAMC, we offer a variety of services to help those struggling with addiction. We offer both inpatient and outpatient rehab, as well as detox treatment. We have programs specifically geared towards different groups of people, such as the military, LGBTQ individuals, and seniors. We use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, experiential therapy, and family therapy. Our goal is to provide comprehensive and individualized care to help our patients heal and recover.

Addiction Treatment Programs

Alcohol Rehab
f your life has been negatively impacted by alcohol use disorder, an alcohol rehab in Iowa can help. In an alcohol program, you’ll not only receive treatment, but you’ll participate in activities, receive peer support, and learn how to have fun without alcohol.
Dual Diagnosis
Iowa dual diagnosis treatment is an integrated approach that addresses both your mental health and substance use. In dual diagnosis programs, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs of those with mental health concerns. This may include additional therapy, medication, or peer support.
Opioid Addiction
The best way to achieve recovery from opioid addiction is by completing a high-quality rehab in Iowa and applying the tools you learn to stay in sobriety. Common services include counseling and classes on coping skills, emotional management, communication, and other key life skills. Opioid rehab programs can provide inpatient or outpatient treatment.
Adult Program
Choosing an adult program in Iowa can be a great way to address important life issues while also getting addiction treatment. In an adult program, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs of this age group. This may include talking about how to build a career, raise a family, and handle the many responsibilities of independent living.
Senior Rehab
A senior rehab in Iowa can address issues unique to your situation, allowing you to create a better life for yourself. In the senior program, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs of older clients. This may include pain management education, lower-impact exercise, and outings that are accessible to those with mobility challenges.
LGBTQ Friendly Rehab
An LGBTQ+ friendly rehab in Iowa can address issues unique to the community, allowing you to create a better life for yourself. These treatment programs offer detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient care tailored to the unique needs and challenges of the LGBTQ+ community.
Military Rehab
If you’re a veteran or member of the military struggling with substance use, consider a military rehab in Iowa. In a military program, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs of service members and veterans. This may include trauma-informed care, treatment for PTSD, stress management, and more.
Men's Rehab
Choosing a men’s rehab in Iowa helps give the support you need in overcoming addiction and learning to handle gender-specific challenges. In a men’s program, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs of men. This may include talking about career development, fatherhood, communication strategies, and more.
Women's Rehab
Women’s rehab programs in Iowa can help women make healthier life choices and avoid common mistakes. In a women’s program, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs women have. This may include talking about building a career, motherhood, relationship safety, and more.
Young Adult Rehab
A young adult rehab in Iowa addresses the unique needs of young people transitioning to adulthood. In a young adult program, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs of this age group. This may include talking about how to start a career, have a family, and live independently.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Veterans
Des Moines VA Medical Center treats alcohol, opioid, marijuana, stimulant, and other drug use disorders for Veterans through VA Central Iowa Health Care, combining counseling, medication options, and recovery support.
Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP)
This Des Moines facility offers a residential rehabilitation treatment program giving Veterans a structured, live-in setting for addiction and mental health recovery beyond standard outpatient care.
PTSD Treatment Program
Veterans at Des Moines VA Medical Center can access specialized PTSD care, including trauma-focused evidence-based psychotherapy, often coordinated with substance use disorder treatment for co-occurring needs.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MOUD)
The facility offers medications for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine and naltrexone, combined with counseling and behavioral therapies to support Veterans in Des Moines through recovery.
Suicide Prevention Support
Des Moines VA Medical Center provides crisis and suicide prevention resources for Veterans, including same-day services and referral to the Veterans Crisis Line for those in urgent need.
Dual Diagnosis Care
Veterans with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety receive specialized, coordinated care at this Iowa VA facility.

Insurance Coverage

Military insurance
If you have military insurance in Iowa, you can use your coverage to help pay for rehab treatment. Contact your insurer to find out coverage details and to learn what out-of-pocket costs to expect, such as deductibles and copays.
Self-pay options
Self-pay for rehab in Iowa means using your own money or a bank loan to pay for treatment. You can send money to a center electronically, write a check, or take out a medical loan.
Financial aid
Those wondering how to pay for rehab in Iowa may benefit from looking for financial aid programs. Financial aid directly from the treatment center is one option, or you might be able to find grants or scholarships from community groups or local non-profits.
Private insurance
In Iowa, using private insurance is a good way to pay for rehab. Insurance plans vary, so it’s important to contact the insurer for details. The best way to keep costs down is to choose a treatment center in your plan’s network.

Levels of Care

1
Detox Treatment
The process of detox in Iowa may sound intimidating, but it’s a vital first step to recovery. Detox gets you ready to start building new habits, creating healthy relationships, and learn healthy coping strategies and other essential life skills.
2
Inpatient Rehab
Des Moines VA Medical Center offers 24/7 inpatient mental health care in a hospital setting for Veterans with serious substance use or psychiatric needs requiring close medical supervision and stabilization.
3
Outpatient Rehab
VA Central Iowa Health Care in Des Moines provides outpatient substance use disorder treatment for Veterans, with same-day access in some cases and telehealth options for those needing care remotely.
4
Aftercare Support
A key component of preventing relapse after treatment in Iowa is to have ongoing care, also known as aftercare. A strong aftercare program can include ongoing counseling, education and employment support, housing services, and connections to community resources.
5
Partial Hospitalization Program
In Iowa, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) allow you to live independently while getting the intensive care you need to establish long-term recovery. PHPs include multiple approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and holistic therapy options.

Therapies

Cognitive Behavior Therapy
When you’re struggling with addiction in Iowa, your actions and thoughts may not be rational. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you challenge your thoughts and adjust your actions accordingly. CBT can help you identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts, calm your mind, and face your fears rationally.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
When you’re struggling with addiction in Iowa, stressful situations can be a trigger. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) allows you to learn new coping strategies and build your confidence so you can make healthier decisions. DBT can help you replace problem behaviors with skills that give you a healthier way to manage stress and handle substance use triggers.
Experiential Therapy
Many people benefit from experiential therapy in Iowa because they are able to express their emotions and work through trauma in non-traditional ways. Substance use treatment includes detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient care, and experiential therapy may be a part of each of these stages. The goal is to help clients work through their emotions using healthy strategies instead of substance use.
Family Therapy
One way to address the family conflict and challenging relationships that may impact your substance use is during family therapy in Iowa. Family therapy is a common part of both inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment and may be used to help address trauma, build better relationships, and help loved ones become part of your support network.
Group Therapy
Des Moines VA Medical Center provides group therapy sessions for Veterans working through substance use disorders and mental health concerns, supporting peer connection alongside individual recovery planning.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one counseling is available at VA Central Iowa Health Care for Veterans addressing substance use problems, PTSD, depression, and anxiety within an integrated mental health and addiction treatment approach.
Trauma Therapy
Sometimes addiction is a way to self-medicate and avoid how you feel about past traumatic events. Trauma-informed therapy can help you address these feelings and build a better life. Substance use and trauma are interrelated, and trauma-informed therapy involves working with the therapist and your support network to create healthy coping skills, become empowered, and improve resilience.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Des Moines VA Medical Center offers cognitive behavioral therapy as part of evidence-based counseling for Veterans managing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Trauma-Focused Therapy
Evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapy is offered for Veterans with PTSD at this Des Moines facility, often integrated with substance use disorder treatment for those with co-occurring trauma histories.