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Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center - Veterans Affairs

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Overview

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Set on an accessible, spacious campus, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center offers inpatient and outpatient substance use and mental health treatment adapted for veterans’ needs. The lobby is open 24/7 for individuals in crisis. Medications for addiction treatment (MAT) are administered on-site to ease the symptoms of alcohol and opioid detox. Trauma-informed care, housing support, and help securing employment are provided. Transportation assistance is available.

Address

1111 East End Boulevard, Behavioral Health Services 116
Wilkes Barre, PA 18711

Directions

Ages Served

  • Adults (Ages 26-64)
  • Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

Genders Accepted

  • Female
  • Male

Languages Served

  • Sign language
  • English

Treatment

  • Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP)
  • Outpatient (methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone treatment)
  • Outpatient detoxification
  • Regular outpatient treatment
  • Short-term residential

Special Programs

  • Veterans

Veteran-Focused Substance Use Treatment

The center delivers comprehensive substance use treatment exclusively for veterans, offering detox, residential care, and multiple outpatient options. The facility is equipped to support individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Services include 24-hour residential support through the Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SARRTP), which also addresses challenges like homelessness and unemployment.

Integrated Medical and Mental Health Care

Veterans receiving addiction treatment at this VA center also have access to full-spectrum medical services and psychiatric care. The facility offers medication management for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Treatment is integrated with evidence-based mental health therapy when appropriate. This coordination ensures support for both addiction recovery and underlying emotional or psychiatric needs.

Practical Assistance for Real-Life Needs

Veterans can access housing assistance, employment counseling, peer mentorship, and life skills training as part of their treatment plan. Case management, social services navigation, and educational support are available throughout and after care. These offerings help patients address the practical challenges that can hinder long-term recovery.

Transportation and Accessibility

Transportation is available through local and national VA-coordinated services, including Disabled American Veteran (DAV) vans and shared ride programs, easing access for veterans who may face logistical barriers. Outpatient telehealth appointments are offered for those unable to attend in person.

Peer Support and Spiritual Services

The center integrates peer support and spiritual care into its recovery programs. Veterans can access peer mentorship and recovery coaching, especially through residential tracks like SARRTP, which emphasize shared experience and mutual accountability. For spiritual support, the facility offers 24/7 access to an interfaith chapel and chaplain services that provide pastoral counseling, grief support, and faith-based care adapted to individual beliefs. Clergy from various denominations may visit, and chaplains can also connect individuals with community spiritual leaders if desired.

Client Reviews

While client reviews specifically for the substance use program are not available, feedback on the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center in general is mixed. Many patients commend the professionalism and dedication of the medical staff. Some describe their care as timely and courteous.

Cost and Insurance

Insurance Accepted

  • Humana
  • Humana Medicare
  • Other Private Insurance
  • TRICARE

Disclaimer: Additional insurance plans may be accepted. Please contact the provider directly to confirm current coverage details, as this information may change.


Cost

$ - Low Cost Facility

Cost ratings are our best estimates to help guide you, not guarantees. Actual costs may vary with treatment, insurance, and other factors. While we aim for accuracy, details may change.

Financial Assistance

  • Does not offer Free
  • Does not offer Payment assistance
  • Does not offer Sliding fee scale

Treatment

Treatment Setting

  • Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP)
  • Outpatient (methadone/buprenorphine or naltrexone treatment)
  • Outpatient detoxification
  • Regular outpatient treatment
  • Short-term residential

Treatment Approaches

  • 12-step program support
  • Anger control support
  • Brief intervention
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Incentive-based therapy
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Relapse prevention support
  • Substance use counseling
  • Trauma-focused counseling

Additional Support and Services

  • Acupuncture therapy
  • Case management support
  • Domestic violence support
  • Help with transportation
  • HIV early intervention services
  • Mental health support
  • Social skills training

Counseling and Education

  • Couples counseling
  • Family therapy
  • General health education services
  • Group therapy
  • Hepatitis education and support
  • HIV/AIDS education and support
  • Job training and educational support
  • One-on-one counseling
  • Substance use education
  • Tobacco and vaping cessation counseling

Transition Support

  • Discharge and next steps planning
  • Ongoing recovery care
  • Overdose prevention and naloxone education
  • Post-discharge follow-up

Testing & Pre-Treatment

  • Breathalyzer testing for alcohol
  • Community outreach and support
  • Comprehensive health checkup
  • Hepatitis B testing
  • Hepatitis C testing
  • Mental health assessment
  • Mental health screening
  • Monitoring for metabolic syndrome
  • Oral fluid testing for drugs or alcohol
  • Substance use assessment
  • Temporary support for clients
  • Testing for HIV
  • Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • Tobacco use assessment
  • Tuberculosis screening
  • Urine testing for drugs or alcohol
  • Substance use screening

Amenities and Experiences

Amenities

  • Fitness center
  • Healthy meals
  • Library or reading room
  • Meditation rooms

Room Amenities

  • Internet access
  • Shared bathroom
  • Shared room options

Activities

  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Yoga
  • Fitness activities
  • Job training
  • Life skills workshops
  • Spiritual or faith-based services

Settings

  • City

Policies

  • Allows internet access
  • No smoking allowed
  • No vaping allowed

Ownership Type

  • Government (Department of Veterans Affairs)
  • Government (Federal)

Quality and Trust

The Joint Commission

The Joint Commission is one of the most trusted names in healthcare. If a rehab center has this accreditation, it means they meet strong national standards for safety, treatment quality, and staff training.

Learn more

Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

CARF reviews rehab programs to make sure they provide respectful, effective, and personalized care. For addiction treatment, CARF uses standards developed with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), so this accreditation shows the program follows trusted, evidence-based guidelines for treating substance use.

Learn more

Reviews and Ratings

(257)
  • Staff is consistently friendly and professional, providing excellent care.
  • Timely appointments and quick service are frequently highlighted by veterans.
  • The facility is recognized as one of the best VA hospitals in the country.
Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center
Call 570-824-3521 x27738

Start Your Recovery provides facility information using publicly available data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as well as other sources. We cannot independently verify the accuracy of all data. Start Your Recovery does not guarantee the quality of care or results of working with any provider or treatment facility. Please contact us if you are the proprietor of a facility and have updates or corrections to site content. The information provided on this site is intended for educational purposes, and is not a substitute for professional medical guidance or treatment.