VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

About VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno, Nevada is a Veteran focused addiction treatment and behavioral health provider based at the Ioannis A. Lougaris Veterans’ Administration Medical Center. Care is coordinated with mental health and primary care as well as homelessness support to address the whole Veteran.

Substance Abuse Treatment Education Group and Whole Health Programming

Veterans can access residential rehabilitation treatment for addictive disorders alongside confidential outpatient behavioral health services. Care can be coordinated with psychiatry, psychology, and support for co-occurring PTSD and anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric conditions.

Clients can expect counseling along with the Substance Abuse Treatment Education Group which is a 12-session program built on 12-step Facilitation principles covering Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Recovery-oriented supports and Whole Health programming further reinforce long-term wellness.

Quick Facts About VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

Location: 975 Kirman Avenue, Reno, Nevada, serving northern Nevada and northeastern California.
Levels of care: Residential rehabilitation, inpatient, outpatient, and telehealth behavioral health.
Who they treat: Veterans, including women, LGBTQ+, minority, and homeless Veterans, plus caregivers and returning service members.
Approach: Evidence based therapy, DBT informed skills classes, 12 step education, and Whole Health programming.
Cost: Free for eligible Veterans.
Amenities: 24/7 campus, wheelchair access, chapel, peer groups, and recovery fitness activities.

Edited by: Kimberly Hawkins, MSc

Last Updated: August 24, 2026

Addiction Treatment Programs

Dual Diagnosis
Nevada dual diagnosis treatment is an integrated approach that addresses both your mental health and substance use. A successful recovery may require counseling, peer support, and even mental health medication to help you manage your mental health symptoms and find better coping strategies.
Adult Program
Choosing an adult program in Nevada can be a great way to address important life issues while also getting addiction treatment. Adult programs may include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, aftercare services, and more. In addition, they will help you navigate the challenges you face in daily life.
Senior Rehab
A senior rehab in Nevada can address issues unique to your situation, allowing you to create a better life for yourself. Senior programs may include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, aftercare services, and more. They will be tailored to take into account your unique individual needs.
LGBTQ Friendly Rehab
An LGBTQ+ friendly rehab in Nevada can address issues unique to the community, allowing you to create a better life for yourself. In an LGBTQ+ friendly program, the activities, peer support, and counseling are tailored to the unique needs of the community. This may include trauma-informed care, talking about safer sex practices and healthy relationships, and more.
Men's Rehab
Choosing a men’s rehab in Nevada helps give the support you need in overcoming addiction and learning to handle gender-specific challenges. Men’s programs may include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, and aftercare services. They will also provide education around gender-specific concerns such as fatherhood, healthy relationships, and more.
Women's Rehab
Women’s rehab programs in Nevada can help women make healthier life choices and avoid common mistakes. Women’s programs may include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, aftercare services, and more. They will also address issues specific to women such as motherhood, being a working mother, having healthy communication, and more.
Young Adult Rehab
A young adult rehab in Nevada addresses the unique needs of young people transitioning to adulthood. Young adult programs may include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, aftercare services, and more.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program
The Substance Use Disorder program at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center helps Veterans in the Reno area address alcohol, drug, and medication-related problems through confidential, integrated treatment.
Homeless Veteran Care
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System provides dedicated support services for homeless Veterans, connecting substance use and mental health treatment with broader resources for housing stability and recovery.
LGBTQ+ Veteran Care
LGBTQ+ Veterans receive tailored care through this VA medical center, integrating substance use disorder treatment with mental health support in a setting focused on Veteran-specific needs.
Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention services and crisis support are part of the mental health offerings at VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, with same-day access available for Veterans in crisis at the Emergency Department.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Veterans with both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety can receive coordinated treatment for both at this Reno VA medical center.

Insurance Coverage

Private insurance
How do you pay for rehab in Nevada? One option is private insurance, which can pay for some or all of the cost of treatment. Contact the insurance company to get coverage details and find out about out-of-pocket costs.
Self-pay options
In Nevada, one way to pay for rehab is self-pay, also known as private pay. This involves using a medical loan from a bank or credit union, writing a check, or sending money to the center electronically. The fee structure may vary depending on the level of care.
Medicare
One option for paying for rehab in Nevada is using Medicare. Your insurance plan can pay for some or all of the costs of rehab, especially if you choose a center that’s in the Medicare plan’s network. Be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Free
In Nevada, looking for free rehabs is one of your options when it comes to accessing addiction treatment. Many free rehabs are run by the local state or county, so that’s a good place to start looking. You’ll want to ensure the treatment is evidence-based and the program is operated by qualified professionals.

Levels of Care

1
Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient treatment in Nevada gives you the best opportunity to spend focused time creating the new habits you need to break free from substance use. Inpatient treatment provides focused therapy that allows you to understand the roots of substance use, learn healthy coping skills, and create a new life.
2
Outpatient Rehab
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System offers outpatient addiction and recovery services for Veterans, including telehealth appointments, allowing continued treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders while living at home.

Therapies

Cognitive Behavior Therapy
When you’re struggling with addiction in Nevada, your actions and thoughts may not be rational. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you challenge your thoughts and adjust your actions accordingly. CBT may include role-playing to help you imagine specific situations that might trigger a negative reaction so you can practice challenging automatic thoughts and choosing a more positive response.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
When you’re struggling with addiction in Nevada, 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 may include role-playing to help you imagine specific situations that might trigger a negative reaction so you can practice healthy coping mechanisms and choose a more positive response.
Experiential Therapy
Many people benefit from experiential therapy in Nevada because they are able to express their emotions and work through trauma in non-traditional ways. You may struggle to address certain emotions or experiences in a traditional setting. Experiential therapy gives you a different environment and can help you breakthrough.
Family Therapy
One way to address the family conflict and challenging relationships that may impact your substance use is during family therapy in Nevada. During family therapy, you may talk about acceptance issues, past trauma, communication problems, and more. These discussions are facilitated by a professional who brings an unbiased perspective and can promote healthy communication.
Group Therapy
Group therapy and recovery support groups are available at VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, giving Veterans a structured setting to build recovery skills alongside peers facing similar substance use challenges.
Individual Therapy
Counseling and therapy sessions are provided as part of the substance use disorder treatment services at this Reno VA facility, supporting Veterans through personalized, one-on-one care.
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 treatment includes detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient care, and trauma-informed therapy may be a part of each of these stages. The goal is to help clients acknowledge past experiences, address their feelings, and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System provides cognitive behavioral therapy as part of its substance use disorder and mental health treatment services for Veterans in Reno, addressing both addiction and co-occurring conditions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy is offered at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center as an evidence-based approach supporting Veterans working through substance use and related mental health concerns.
Fitness Therapy