VA Puget Sound Health Care System

9600 Veterans Drive SW
Tacoma, WA 98493

VA Puget Sound Health Care System - American Lake Division WA 98493

About VA Puget Sound Health Care System

American Lake VA Medical Center is a veterans addiction treatment center located in Tacoma, Washington. They’re part of the Puget Sound Healthcare System. They offer drug and alcohol treatment options for veterans and their families who are struggling to quit on their own. Referrals are required.

The only level of care offered here is outpatient care. This can be both a positive and negative thing, depending on the severity of your addiction. Some people may require round-the-clock care and medical supervision. You won’t get that here. However, you will get the benefit of being able to return home after a day of therapy. This will give you time to keep your outside responsibilities, which is great for personal growth and adaptation. But if your symptoms are acute, they can refer you to an inpatient facility within the VA network.

This is a dual diagnosis center as well, which means they treat mental health issues that may be occurring in response to your addiction, or vice versa. Many veterans may face these issues due to trauma from their time serving in the military. Some common mental illnesses may include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Anger management classes may also be provided for those who seek it.

Many of these clinics also offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which can work wonders when trying to detox the safe and correct way. Some medications, like Suboxone and Vivitrol, can help lessen the intensity of cravings and can reduce potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms from occurring.

In addition to all this, they also offer health maintenance services, community support, and counseling services. Counseling is a great tool that includes individual counseling, group therapy and marriage or relationship counseling.

Latest Reviews

Anikka Jonsdottir
6 months ago on Google
5
Consistently great staff, facility and progressive professionalism. I feel proud to be a Veteran here at American Lake and Seattle medical facilities
Tamara Hart
9 months ago on Google
5
Quick service.
Larry II Adams
1 year ago on Google
5
Best service I ve ever received during my lifetime. Great surgery team and support staff. Hat s off to all

Location

Accepted Insurance

VA Puget Sound Health Care System works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, Please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Call now to check and verify your insurance

800-985-8516
Question iconWho Answers?

Other Forms of Payment

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.

Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

outpatient iconOutpatient
Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
inpatient iconInpatient
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
sober-living iconSober Living Homes
Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

Effective drug rehab in Washington integrates care for the whole person, offering comprehensive solutions to addiction. Treatment methods address mental, physical, and relational aspects of substance abuse.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Programs

adult-program thumbnail image
Adult program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
military-program thumbnail image
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Clinical Services

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

Amenities

  • private iconPrivate Setting
  • car iconPrivate Transportation

Accreditations

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.

CARF Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 226095

The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.

Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 103674

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.

SAMHSA Listed: Yes

Contact Information

Phone icon (253) 582-8440
Building icon

9600 Veterans Drive SW
Tacoma, WA 98493

Fact checked and written by:
Benjamin Cardenas
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD

Reviews of VA Puget Sound Health Care System

4.5/5 (394 reviews)
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Reviews

5

Even though they have a huge patient load, staff people are friendly and accommodating to each and every one of us patients. They are the best really, come and see for yourself!

Reviewed on 2/14/2019
Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

4.5 (393 reviews)
Anikka Jonsdottir
6 months ago
5

Consistently great staff, facility and progressive professionalism. I feel proud to be a Veteran here at American Lake and Seattle medical facilities

Tamara Hart
9 months ago
5

Quick service.

Larry II Adams
1 year ago
5

Best service I ve ever received during my lifetime. Great surgery team and support staff. Hat s off to all

Archie Shocky Pieplow
1 year ago
2

A thoroughly disappointing and depressing place. Beautiful scenery, but morale among the employees is virtually nonexistent.

Robert Gilbert
1 year ago
5

Excellent care and prompt take in for appointment. Thanks

Will Sampson
1 year ago
2

Will do what they can to get you out of their building. I didn't give a 1 because I haven't seen anyone set themselves on fire in the parking lot, so I know there are worse

Robert Blackmore
1 year ago
1

The va is the worst place to ever be seen for health care period. Between constant changing of appointments and or doctors period is enough not to go. then add docs not showing up to appointments or appoitnemts only being scheduled for doctores convinces. I haven't seen a mental health provider in almost a year because clearly there is no thought outside of numbers being filled.

Cameron Griffin
1 year ago
1

I mean if you reach out telling them your in a bad place an need care, plan a two month wait. On top of that plan to speak with 10-15 people in an attempt to get an appointment. Your far better off seeking private consultations at online clinics. As this place will make you pay mentally for just trying to get help.

Robert Suttle
1 year ago
1

Absolutely no communication. Five primary care providers in five months. I happened to be one of the puppies that was picked by providers, and they leave for brighter pastures. Except for the one they seem to have removed from contact with patients, promote and move to Olympia, or Lacy in a office. AATW!

Patricia Hollenbeck
2 years ago
5

Husband had to go in for some blood work that his Primary Doctor wanted. He has a new Doctor and so far we are very pleased with her. Today was picking up meds for a infection.

leslie m
2 years ago
3

Lab is slow but nice staff

Neal Mund
2 years ago
5

It was quite a wait but got what I needed done, good place to go if you're sick!

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