Syracuse VA Medical Center – Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic

About Syracuse VA Medical Center – Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic

The Syracuse VA Medical Center Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic is a Veteran focused substance use treatment program in Syracuse, New York located at the Erie West VA Clinic. As part of the VA Syracuse Health Care system its mission is to deliver whole client and recovery oriented care that integrates addiction treatment with trauma and mental health support for Veterans.

Addiction Treatment With PTSD and Trauma Support

Care often begins with an evaluation and same-day walk-in drug or alcohol assessments are available Monday through Friday during daytime hours. Veterans are supported through outpatient services with connections to inpatient and residential care offering 24-hour therapeutic and educational programming across the wider VA continuum.

Clients can expect consultation, treatment planning, and care coordination tailored to complex needs. Substance use treatment is integrated with support for PTSD, military sexual trauma, and co-occurring emotional or behavioral health conditions ensuring continuity across levels of care.

Quick Facts About the Erie West VA Clinic

Location: 620 Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, New York.
Levels of care: Outpatient addiction care with access to inpatient and residential VA services.
Who they treat: Veterans, including those with PTSD, military sexual trauma, and homelessness related needs.
Approach: Integrated, whole client behavioral health with psychiatry and psychology.
Payment options: Requires VA health care enrollment; bring Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or private insurance cards.
Access: Same day walk-in evaluations, telehealth, and beneficiary travel benefits for eligible Veterans.

Edited by: Kimberly Hawkins, MSc

Last Updated: August 12, 2026

Addiction Treatment Programs

Alcohol Rehab
Alcohol rehab in New York helps clients find the motivation to make a change and gives them the tools to achieve long-term sobriety. Alcohol programs address the mental, emotional, and relational issues that may contribute to addiction. You’ll learn to build a new support network that supports your long-term sobriety.
Dual Diagnosis
People with a dual diagnosis may be using substances to self-medicate. A high-quality rehab in New York can address both issues and help you reach recovery. Along with traditional evidence-based substance use treatment, clients may receive mental health counseling, medication, peer support, and other tools to help them manage their mental health.
Opioid Addiction
A treatment program in New York can give you the tools and skills you need to overcome opioid addiction and reclaim your life. These treatment programs offer detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient care. You may receive individual, group, and family counseling, peer support, and classes in essential life skills.
Adult Program
Adult programs in New York address a wide range of substance use issues while also helping clients with concerns such as raising children or building a career. Along with traditional evidence-based treatment, clients may receive employment support, parenting classes, and help securing housing.
Senior Rehab
For those who are older, a senior rehab in New York can give you the understanding and safety you need to break free from addiction. Along with traditional evidence-based treatment, clients may receive peer support, pain management education, and referrals to social services that can help with challenging aspects of daily life.
LGBTQ Friendly Rehab
For those who identify as LGBTQ+, an LGBTQ+ friendly rehab in New York can give you the understanding and safety you need to break free from addiction. LGBTQ+ friendly programs may include detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient care, aftercare services, and more. They will be tailored to take into account your unique individual needs.
Military Rehab
Finding a military rehab in New York can make all the difference in helping you overcome substance use if you’re a veteran or service member. Along with traditional evidence-based treatment, clients may receive trauma-focused care, peer support, help with PTSD, and classes in overcoming other specific challenges.
Men's Rehab
A men’s rehab in New York addresses the unique needs men have and allows them to build relationships in a gender-specific environment. Along with traditional evidence-based treatment, clients may receive education on topics relevant to men, such as fatherhood, healthy relationships, emotional vulnerability, and more.
Women's Rehab
Those who join a women’s rehab program in New York are given training in key life skills to help them address their unique challenges. Along with traditional evidence-based treatment, clients may receive help with childcare, classes in parenting, and advice about being a working mother and building healthy relationships.
Young Adult Rehab
When people join a young adult rehab in New York, they learn key life skills while receiving treatment. Along with traditional evidence-based treatment, clients may receive educational support, employment training, and help securing housing.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Veterans receive outpatient treatment for alcohol and drug use disorders at the Erie West VA Clinic in Syracuse, with recovery support services integrated into a coordinated VA care model.
PTSD Care
The Syracuse clinic provides evaluation and treatment for PTSD and related trauma conditions, addressing co-occurring mental health needs alongside substance use disorder recovery for Veterans.
Suicide Prevention
Veterans in crisis or concerned about a fellow Veteran can connect with qualified responders through Syracuse VA Medical Center for confidential suicide prevention support and referral.
Homeless Veteran Care
The Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic connects Veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability with resources for housing, job training, and health care alongside substance use treatment.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Syracuse VA Medical Center integrates mental health care for PTSD, depression, and anxiety with substance use disorder treatment, supporting Veterans with co-occurring conditions in one outpatient setting.
Telehealth Services
VA Video Connect and telehealth appointments allow Veterans enrolled at the Erie West VA Clinic in Syracuse to access certain mental health and substance use services remotely by phone or video.

Insurance Coverage

Self-pay options
There are many ways to pay for rehab in New York, including self-pay. When you pay yourself, you have maximum flexibility to choose the center you most prefer. You can write a check, get a medical loan from a bank or credit union, or send money electronically. The fee structure may vary depending on the level of care.
Financial aid
Those wondering how to pay for rehab in New York may benefit from looking for financial aid programs. You may be able to find aid through community groups in your area, and individual treatment centers may offer grants and scholarships as well.
Sliding scale payment assistance
Finding a rehab in New York with a sliding scale payment plan can help make treatment more affordable. You qualify for a lower fee for detox, inpatient treatment, or outpatient care based on your income and family size.
Military insurance
If you have military insurance in New York, you can use your coverage to help pay for rehab treatment. Contact your insurer to get details about coverage and out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copayments.
Private insurance
There are many ways to pay for rehab in New York. One option is private insurance. Your insurance plan can pay for some or all of the costs of rehab, especially if you choose a center that’s in the plan’s network. Be sure to check with the insurer to get full details.

Levels of Care

1
Detox Treatment
Alcohol and drug rehab in New York generally starts with detox, which lets you start fresh on building a new life. A medical detox program will provide 24/7 supervision by medical staff who can treat withdrawal symptoms with FDA-approved medication and other treatments.
2
Outpatient Rehab
Syracuse VA Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic delivers outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment for Veterans, including same-day help for urgent needs and scheduled counseling services.
3
Aftercare Support
In New York, aftercare allows you to access additional resources and support to help you avoid relapse after treatment. The end of treatment is far from the end of the story, so take advantage of aftercare resources such as sober living, 12-step and other support groups, peer coaching, and more.
4
Sober Living Homes
Even after you finish treatment, recovery is a challenge. Sober living in New York can give you a safe place to live and connect you to the support you need. The end of treatment is far from the end of the story. Sober living gives you a solid foundation of support while you build your new, substance-free life.
5
Intervention Services
Intervention services in New York provide the support and guidance you need to encourage a loved one to get addiction treatment. This process includes planning and facilitating the intervention, creating a treatment plan for your loved one, and escorting them to a high-quality drug rehab program.

Therapies

Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy in New York involves being aware of how your thoughts are connected to your feelings and behavior. CBT is a common part of evidence-based treatment programs and may be a part of inpatient treatment, outpatient care, or both. CBT can be empowering as you learn to manage your thoughts and emotions rather than being overwhelmed by them.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy in New York involves embracing your strengths and building confidence in your ability to make positive changes. DBT is a common part of evidence-based treatment programs and may be a part of inpatient treatment, outpatient care, or both.
Experiential Therapy
When you’re struggling with addiction in New York, nontraditional approaches can help you heal. Experiential therapy, which uses hands-on activities to work through emotions, is one example. Experiential therapy is commonly part of inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment and may be used to help with skill-building, addressing trauma, and managing substance use triggers.
Family Therapy
Many people have challenging family backgrounds, and addiction can create unhealthy dynamics as well. Family therapy in New York allows you to address these concerns. Some of the topics covered in family therapy include improving communication, developing healthy coping skills, avoiding codependency and enablement, and learning to support each other in healthy ways that foster recovery from addiction.
Group Therapy
Group counseling is provided at the Erie West VA Clinic location in Syracuse as part of evidence-based outpatient treatment for substance use and mental health concerns among Veterans.
Individual Therapy
Syracuse VA Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic offers individual counseling for Veterans addressing substance use disorders alongside co-occurring conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event, and some people use substances to numb those emotions. Trauma-informed therapy in New York can help you address what happened and consciously create a healthier response. Trauma-informed therapy sessions generally last 60 to 90 minutes and may include discussing a specific event, talking about emotional triggers, and learning emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring skills.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
The clinic may offer medications for opioid use disorder as part of a coordinated treatment approach, supporting Veterans working toward recovery from opioid dependence in an outpatient setting.