Understanding the Navy Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program
The Navy Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP) is a great way for our service members to get the help they desperately need for substance use issues. The Navy SARP program offers all levels of care and exists to help you stay ready at all times.
This program offers every level of care from an initial assessment to inpatient and outpatient treatment. It also offers continuing care and support for up to a year after your treatment. Programs are voluntary and are tobacco-free, but nicotine replacement may be available.
TricareRehabs.com can help you locate a program and provider that will work for you. The Navy SARP may be an important tool you can leverage to get the help you need. Here’s what you need to know.
What Help is Available for Drug and Alcohol Misuse with the Navy?
When an active duty service member struggles with drug and alcohol misuse or full-blown addiction, they deserve access to the best resources America has to offer. The Navy SARP program fills in the gaps to ensure that every sailor has healthy alternatives to substance abuse.
From assessments and consultations to residential and continuing care, they offer treatment services for all needs to improve fleet readiness at all times.
Assessments and Consultations: Do You Have a Substance Use Issue?
The best place to start with a substance abuse rehabilitation program (SARP) is with a clear-eyed view of your issues. Fighting drug and alcohol use won’t be possible until you know where you stand. This is also the stage at which counselors can make referrals to the appropriate levels of care.
The Prime for Life program also fits into this sort of outpatient treatment program. If you were to test positive for drugs and alcohol, you may simply need more education on substance use. SARP offers a three-day intensive workshop for people at high risk of abusing drugs and alcohol.
Residential Treatment Services for Service Members
Taking an assessment might lay the groundwork for showing you that you need more help following your screening. Participation in inpatient treatment centers can provide around-the-clock care with counseling, medication management, group therapy, and community-based resources.
These do require you to move to another treatment center, usually for thirty to ninety days. Navy service members diagnosed with substance use disorder are referred to a military hospital or one of many TRICARE treatment facilities.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Lower Risk Patients
If you need support to live your life but don’t meet the criteria for inpatient programs, you may need an outpatient treatment program. During your time here, you’ll gain valuable skills that will serve you well in your journey toward recovery. Intensive outpatient treatments offer structure and assistance.
This is a standard four-week training tool for those with moderate to severe substance abuse disorders or those who need support with abstinence. It consists of myriad ways to participate in therapy, learn new coping skills, and connect with others.
You’ll have access to counseling, group therapy, workshops, task groups, and Twelve Step meetings.
Outpatient Treatment for Milder Cases of Substance Use Disorder
While intensive outpatient is designed for those with moderate to severe SUDs, regular outpatient gives you another option for support. It takes just two weeks to complete this protocol and may not focus on abstinence in its entirety. Instead, you’ll devise a responsible drinking plan and learn alternative coping skills.
Other than this, your treatment will be much the same. You will have counseling, group therapy, task groups, and Twelve Step meetings.
Continuing Care and Additional Information
After you have been involved in some of these more intensive services, continuing care can assist you in maintaining the gains you made. It’s available for everyone transitioning out of residential or intensive outpatient programs for up to one year.
These are weekly groups with trained professionals where you can continue to learn more about sobriety and alcohol or drug use. Virtual and in-person meetings are available, but you may need to notify your command that you wish to attend as they take place at noon.
SARP Helpful Hints: Guidance for the Navy Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program
What should you know before you enroll in the Navy SARP program at any level of care? Here are some guidelines that can help make you more comfortable and put your mind at ease when seeking care.
Voluntary Programs for Support
Some service members worry that they won’t be able to leave the program if they begin and decide that this is not the path forward for them. The good news is that all levels of the SARP program are always voluntary. That means you are free to sign up for services or unenroll whenever you want.
Refusal to complete treatment is handled at the command level depending on what they feel is best for your unique situation. Keep in mind that they require you to re-enroll or find a new program or command may have to take disciplinary action.
Tobacco-Free Zones in Intensive Outpatient and Residential Care
It’s important to note that you’ll be expected to give up your smoking or chewing tobacco habit when you enter intensive treatment with the Navy SARP. All of the treatment options are designed to keep all service members comfortable, and that starts with keeping spaces tobacco-free.
If you enroll in a program that requires you to stay all day or to reside in the facility for an extended period, nicotine replacement is available. You can kick both a substance use habit and your smoking habit all in one fell swoop.
Contact TricareRehabs.com for Help with Placement
When you know that you need help with a drug or alcohol use issue, then you need to get it under control as quickly as possible so that you can be ready for anything. TricareRehabs.com helps our armed services to get the help they need when they need it most.
We assist people in finding the perfect place with all forms of TRICARE plans.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in locating an in-network provider that will meet your needs and expectations . All calls are confidential, so please reach out now for our assistance in getting you the support you deserve.
References
- Substance abuse treatment program. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.).
- Frequently Asked Questions. Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. (n.d.). https://portsmouth.tricare.mil/Portals/130/Med Students FAQ’s updated October 2023.docx
- Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program. Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. (n.d.-b).
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- Navy SARP Program Guidance - August 5, 2025
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