VNN

What VNN does

VNN (Verslavingszorg Noord Nederland) is a large non-profit foundation (stichting) and ANBI-registered healthcare institution providing specialized addiction care across the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe. With approximately 1,000 employees and a network spanning 30+ outpatient clinic locations, four specialized clinical facilities (Kliniek Vossenloo for youth, Kliniek Bolsterburen for short-term treatment, Forensische kliniek De Ekenwaard for forensic care, and Gezinskliniek De Borch for families), two medical heroin treatment units, protected/assisted living residences, anonymous drug testing stations, and embedded community outreach programs, VNN delivers the full spectrum of addiction services from prevention and anonymous advisory conversations to clinical detoxification and long-term residential care. Its service portfolio addresses alcohol, drug (including GHB), gambling, gaming, smoking, and behavioral addictions, with dedicated tracks for youth, families/relatives, and forensic clients.

VNN operates as a publicly funded healthcare provider financed through the Dutch basic health insurance system (Zorgverzekeringswet/Zvw), the Long-term Care Act (Wet langdurige zorg/Wlz), and municipal commissioning under the Social Support Act (Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning/Wmo). Clients generally do not pay out-of-pocket for core treatment services, and anonymous advisory conversations and drug testing are free. The organization has no proprietary technology platform or software product; its competitive position rests on its dense regional facility footprint, its certified quality management system (CIIO Maatstaf / ISO 9001-2015 based), NEN 7510 information security certification, the Keurmerk Kortdurende Generalistische GGZ (held for 8 consecutive years), and an embedded network of partnerships with regional GGZ institutions, hospitals, municipalities, schools, the justice system, and health insurers. VNN is governed by a Raad van Bestuur chaired by dr. G.C. (Gerard) Niemeijer, with a Raad van Toezicht chaired by mr. W.J.G. (Wander) Blaauw, and operates a wholly-owned charitable subsidiary, Stichting Nieuw Hoog-Hullen Fonds (NHHF, founded 1990), which provides emergency financial aid to clients and their families.

Name

VNN

Legal name

Stichting Verslavingszorg Noord Nederland

Website

https://vnn.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

VNN is a non-profit Dutch addiction care foundation operating approximately 1,000 staff across 30+ outpatient clinics and specialized facilities in Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe, delivering prevention, treatment, forensic, and family support services for substance and behavioral addictions funded through public healthcare reimbursement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Treatment Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Programs (HLAFABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health & Psychiatry Virtual Care (Payer Network) (HLALACAC)

Keywords

• Addiction treatment services
• Mental health care
• Substance abuse treatment
• Forensic addiction care
• Youth addiction services

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices37 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Regulated Healthcare Financing: VNN operates as a healthcare institution financed through the Dutch health insurance system. Treatment costs are covered under the Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet, Zvw) for basic mental healthcare and addiction treatment, and under the Long-term Care Act (Wet langdurige zorg, Wlz) for residential care. Municipalities fund certain prevention and outreach services under the Social Support Act (Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning, Wmo). Clients generally do not pay out of pocket for core treatment services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

VNN provides specialized addiction treatment, prevention, and support services across the three northern Dutch provinces (Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe). Its core offerings include outpatient and clinical addiction treatment for alcohol, drugs, GHB, gambling, gaming, smoking, and behavioral addictions, plus youth-specific services, family/next-of-kin support, anonymous drug testing, forensic and reclassification services, medical heroin treatment, protected living, and scientific research. The organization operates with approximately 1,000 employees across an integrated regional network of clinics and outreach programs.

Product overview

VNN (Verslavingszorg Noord Nederland) is a large addiction care organization operating across three northern Dutch provinces (Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe) with approximately 1,000 employees. The organization provides a comprehensive portfolio of addiction treatment and prevention services, organized around several core offerings: Hulp bij Verslaving (general addiction treatment), Voor Jongeren (youth-specific services), Voor Naasten (family/next-of-kin support), Drugstestservice (anonymous drug testing via DIMS), and clinical care including specialized facilities such as Kliniek Vossenloo for youth, Gezinskliniek De Borch for families, Kliniek Bolsterburen for short-term treatment, and Forensische kliniek De Ekenwaard for forensic care. The organization also provides reclassification services, outreach services (FACT teams), protected/begeleid housing, and smoking cessation training. Quality is assured through CIIO Maatstaf (ISO 9001-2015 based) and NEN 7510 information security certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hulp bij Verslaving (Addiction Treatment) Comprehensive addiction treatment program for individuals with substance use disorders and behavioral addictions, including alcohol, drugs, GHB, opioids, gambling, gaming, and smoking. Includes anonymous advisory conversations, outpatient consultations, clinical care, and specialized tracks. Delivered across polyclinics in Northern Netherlands.
• Voor Jongeren (Youth Addiction Services) Specialized addiction treatment and prevention services tailored for youth and young adults, including free anonymous advice, treatment programs, substance education, gaming addiction support, and youth outreach workers embedded in municipalities.
• Voor Naasten (Family and Next-of-Kin Services) Support services for partners, parents, caregivers, and children of individuals with addiction, including CRAFT training, family counseling, dedicated family trust persons (Familievertrouwenspersonen), and educational resources to help families cope with and support recovery.
• Drugstestservice (Drug Testing Service) Free anonymous drug testing service available at dedicated locations in Groningen, Leeuwarden, and Assen. Testing analyzes pills, powders, liquids, and stamps, with no personal data collected. Operated under the national DIMS framework.
• Kliniek Vossenloo (Youth Clinical Treatment) Clinical youth addiction treatment facility located in Eelde, Drenthe, providing residential and clinical addiction treatment for young people.
• Gezinskliniek De Borch (Family Clinic)

Quantifiable outcome

• 68,000 people treated for addiction in 2025 (LADIS data)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ziekenhuis Nij Smellinghe DrachtenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 October 2025VNN provides its stop-smoking program within Nij Smellinghe hospital in Drachten, offering hospital patients support to quit smoking or vaping as part of their medical treatment.
• Healthy Aging Network Northern Netherlands (HANNN)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2025VNN participates in the 'Gezonde Huiskamer' (Healthy Living Room) project with HANNN, driving a mobile unit to schools in North-East Groningen to engage young people in conversations about smoking, vaping, stress, and healthy lifestyle.
• Gemeente EemsdeltaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025VNN delivered a successful stop-smoking training program for youth in the municipality of Eemsdelta, demonstrating effective addiction prevention outreach at the municipal level.
• Ommelander Ziekenhuis GroningenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 September 2022An experimental collaboration where VNN addiction doctors and coaches provide tobacco addiction treatment to patients of the lung clinic at Ommelander Ziekenhuis Groningen. The partnership targets patients who must quit smoking for medical reasons but cannot do so independently.
• Gemeente TynaarlominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022VNN has a youth outreach worker embedded 4 hours per week at the municipality of Tynaarlo. The outreach worker collaborates with the municipality's Expert Team Youth (Expertiseteam Jeugd) to identify and support young people at risk of substance abuse.
• Regiecentrum Bescherming en VeiligheidminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 July 2022Regiecentrum Bescherming en Veiligheid (Regiecentrum) and VNN signed a cooperation agreement to elevate their joint service provision and expertise. The partnership focuses on improving care coordination and service quality for clients requiring protection and security-related care.
• Optimaal Leven, GGZ Drenthe, CosisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2022VNN co-initiated 'Herstelruimte Emmen' (Recovery Space Emmen), an open meeting place in Bibliotheek Emmen for people working on recovery from addiction, mental health issues, or other difficult experiences. Experience experts from all partner organizations form the development group.
• Three Northern GGZ InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVNN collaborates with the three other regional mental health (GGZ) institutions in Northern Netherlands as its primary partner group. This collaboration is the foundation of the regional addiction care network, enabling coordinated care pathways and shared expertise in mental health and addiction.
• Huisartsen (General Practitioners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVNN works closely with general practitioners (huisartsen) across the three provinces. GPs are often the first point of contact for patients and serve as a key referral pathway to VNN's specialized addiction services.
• Justitie/OM (Justice System / Public Prosecution)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVNN operates as a recognized reclassification institution (reclasseringsinstelling) and works with the justice system and public prosecution office. This partnership enables court-ordered addiction treatment, forensic care, and reintegration services.
• Onderwijsinstellingen (Educational Institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVNN collaborates with schools and educational institutions across Northern Netherlands for prevention and education programs. Youth outreach workers are embedded in municipalities and schools to provide early intervention and education about substance abuse.
• Zorgverzekeraars (Health Insurers)coreOthersVNN's treatment services are funded through health insurance arrangements with Dutch health insurers under the Zorgverzekeringswet. Health insurers are key partners in financing addiction care delivery.
• Gemeenten (Municipalities)coreOthersMunicipalities fund VNN's prevention, outreach, and certain social support services under the Wet maatschappelijke ondersteuning (Wmo, Social Support Act). Municipalities are key commissioning partners for community-based addiction care and prevention programs.
• GGz Nederland (Branch Association)minorOthersVNN is a member of GGz Nederland, the branch association for mental health organizations in the Netherlands. GGz Nederland sets sector-wide standards including general delivery conditions for GGZ institutions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dimence Groep:
• Arkin: Arkin is a major Amsterdam-based mental health organization whose portfolio includes Jellinek (direct addiction care peer). Comparable to VNN's broader ecosystem (Jellinek operates addiction care within Arkin's wider mental health infrastructure), with significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Parnassia Groep: Parnassia Groep is the largest mental health conglomerate in the Netherlands, offering addiction care (via Brijder) as part of a broader GGZ portfolio. Comparable as a parent of a direct competitor (Brijder), with broader scope (general GGZ, forensic, youth) and substantially larger scale than VNN.

Direct peers

• Novadic-Kentron: Novadic-Kentron is the addiction care provider for North Brabant, part of the GGz Breburg group. Comparable to VNN in regional coverage, full continuum of addiction services, youth programs, and Dutch public funding model. Particularly comparable in size and scope of outpatient clinic network.
• Jellinek (onderdeel van Arkin): Jellinek is the leading addiction care provider in the Amsterdam region, part of Arkin mental health group. Directly comparable to VNN: same Dutch addiction care model, similar outpatient/clinical/residential mix, similar Zvw/Wmo funding structure, and similar specialized programs (including youth, forensic, and prevention).
• Tactus Verslavingszorg: Tactus is a major addiction care provider serving Overijssel, Flevoland, and parts of Gelderland. Directly comparable to VNN: same regional monopoly model, same Dutch public health insurance funding, comprehensive outpatient/clinical/residential services including youth, forensic, and prevention programs.
• IrisZorg: IrisZorg provides addiction care and social support in Gelderland. Directly comparable to VNN in service mix (outpatient, residential, forensic, prevention, youth) and Dutch public funding model, though somewhat broader in scope (includes broader social support).
• Brijder (onderdeel van Parnassia Groep): Brijder is the addiction care provider for the Haarlem/Noord-Holland region, part of Parnassia Groep. Directly comparable to VNN in service mix (outpatient, clinical, youth, prevention, methadone) and Dutch public funding model. Both operate within regional GGZ structures.
• De Hoop Verslavingszorg: De Hoop is a faith-based addiction care provider in Dordrecht and broader Netherlands, operating clinics, residential facilities, and prevention programs. Comparable to VNN in comprehensive addiction care model, including youth and family services, with similar Dutch public funding reliance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Verslavingszorg

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VNN