Serving Veterans with Substance Use Disorders

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ADA National Network: ADA, Addiction, and Recovery
The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to support the mission of the ADA to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.” The ADA National Network specifically covers how the ADA applies to individuals with SUDs.
https://adata.org/factsheet/ada-addiction-and-recovery

American Addiction Centers
American Addiction Centers was founded in 2007. Since that time, they have grown into the largest network of rehabilitation facilities nationwide, with programs in California, Florida, Texas, Nevada, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/

The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
An important part of the healthcare continuum, NAADAC members and its 47 state and international affiliates work to create healthier individuals, families and communities through prevention, intervention, quality treatment and recovery support.
https://www.naadac.org/certificate-for-military-vet-online-training-series

Become a Smokefree Veteran
SmokefreeVET’s mission is to help veterans who get their health care through VA become tobacco-free—whether they smoke cigarettes, chew or dip tobacco, or use any other tobacco products.
https://veterans.smokefree.gov/

Enforcement Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship under the ADA
Individuals with a history of opioid use or misuse may have the right, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to get reasonable accommodations that will help them to stay employed and in treatment.
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/enforcement-guidance-reasonable-accommodation-and-undue-hardship-under-ada

FindTreatment.gov
FindTreatment.gov is a product of SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). It is the most comprehensive resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories.
https://findtreatment.gov/

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Operating as the premier point of entry for Florida’s 1.5 million veterans, FDVA ‎‎‎operates a ‎‎network of nine state veterans’ homes and provides statewide outreach to ‎connect ‎‎veterans ‎‎with their earned services, benefits, and support.
https://floridavets.org/

Get Naloxone Now
Get Naloxone Now is an online resource to train people to respond effectively to an opioid overdose emergency.
https://www.getnaloxonenow.org/#home

Heroes’ Mile
Heroes’ Mile is a substance use, eating disorder, post-traumatic stress (PTS), and military sexual trauma (MST) center designed for military service veterans who are experiencing problems with addiction and other invisible wounds of war.
https://www.heroesmile.com/

How Health Care Providers Can Help Current and Former Patients Who Have Used Opioids Stay Employed

https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/how-health-care-providers-can-help-current-and-former-patients-who-have-used-opioids

HUD-VASH Resource Guide
The HUD-VASH Resource Guide was designed to provide case managers, social workers, treatment specialists, program managers, and other clinicians who work with homeless Veterans through the HUD-VASH program with a comprehensive set of resources.
https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/2011/hud-vash-resource-guide-for-permanent-housing-and-clinical-care/

HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH)
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outreach clinics (CBOCs), through VA contractors, or through other VA designated entities.
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash

Justice for Vets
Justice for Vets provides training and technical assistance to help communities bring together local, state, and federal resources to directly serve veterans involved in the justice system due to mental health disorders, trauma, and substance use.
https://justiceforvets.org/

Make the Connection
Make the Connection helps veterans and their families recognize that they are not alone—there are people out there like them who are going through similar experiences, overcoming challenges, reaching positive outcomes for treatment and recovery, and finding paths to fulfilling lives.
https://www.maketheconnection.net/

Mental Health Conditions: Resources for Job Seekers, Employees, and Employers
Resources to help job seekers, employees, and employers about laws and policies designed to protect people with mental health issues and some with substance use disorders from discrimination.
https://www.eeoc.gov/mental-health-conditions-resources-job-seekers-employees-and-employers

Military OneSource
Military OneSource is your 24/7 connection to information, answers and support to help you reach your goals, overcome challenges and thrive.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

Military OneSource: Health and Wellness
Military One Source offers information on a variety of health and wellness topics including substance abuse and mental health.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/

National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is the world’s leading research and educational center of excellence on PTS and traumatic stress
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp

National Center for PTSD: Substance Misuse
Resources and information about the connection between PTS and substance misuse.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/substance_misuse.asp

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a 23-member board of directors. It is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state, and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid, and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.
https://nchv.org/

National Health Emergency Demonstration Grants
The National Health Emergency demonstration grant projects help states support individuals in recovery from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to return to work as peer recovery specialists or peer recovery navigators. With grant funding, states are providing training and employment services to individuals seeking careers in healthcare professions related to SUDs, mental health treatment, and pain management.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/dislocated-workers/grants/health-emergency/phase-1-demonstration

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supports and conducts research on the impact of alcohol use on human health and well-being. The mission of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is to generate and disseminate fundamental knowledge about the effects of alcohol on health and well-being, and apply that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder, across the lifespan.
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

  • NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator
    The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator helps adults find alcohol treatment for themselves or an adult loved one. The Navigator will steer you toward evidence-based treatment, which applies knowledge gained through decades of carefully designed scientific research.
    https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)’s mission is to advance science on drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health
https://nida.nih.gov/

National Resource Directory
The National Resource Directory is a searchable database of resources vetted for service members, veterans, family members, and caregivers.
https://www.nrd.gov/

National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide 2018-2028
The VA has developed the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, which provides a framework for identifying priorities, organizing efforts, and contributing to a national focus on veteran suicide prevention.
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/Office-of-Mental-Health-and-Suicide-Prevention-National-Strategy-for-Preventing-Veterans-Suicide.pdf

Opioid Safety Initiative (OSI)
The guideline describes the critical decision points in the Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain and provides clear and comprehensive evidence based recommendations incorporating current information and practices for practitioners throughout the DoD and VA Health Care systems.
https://www.va.gov/painmanagement/opioid_safety_initiative_osi.asp

Partners for Recovery: Supporting Our Greatest Resource.
Partners for Recovery: Supporting Our Greatest Resource is a SAMHSA toolkit that outlines recommendations, guidelines, sample policies, scripts, and other resources for SUDs treatment providers to promote recovery-friendly employment policies internally and externally.
https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/substanceuse_misusetoolkit9.pdf

PA VETConnect
PA VETConnect is the pathway to a better means of serving Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 veterans. The objectives of PA VetConnect are simple: determine the needs of veterans and their beneficiaries, find resources that meet those needs, and connect veterans with those resources.
https://dmvapa.service-now.com/csp?id=csp_index#calendarView=week

Practitioner Training
SAMHSA’s practitioner training offers tools, training, and technical assistance to practitioners in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders.
https://www.samhsa.gov/practitioner-training

Promising Practices Supplement
Each of the practices described in this supplement have been built and launched by State and local leaders across the country. Practices are listed by state in each section, and includes, where available, links to find further information online.
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-community-action-guide-promising-practices.pdf

Recovery-Ready Workplace Resource Hub
Recovery-Ready Workplaces are characterized by the adoption of policies and practices that:

Rural Community Action Guide
The Rural Community Action Guide complements the 2019 National Drug Control Strategy by providing topical insights on how rural leaders can and are addressing drug use and its consequences to build strong and healthy rural places .
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-community-action-guide.pdf

Rural Community Health Toolkit
This toolkit provides rural communities with the information, resources, and materials they need to develop a community health program in a rural community.
https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/rural-toolkit

SMVF-TA Center
SAMHSA’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center serves as a national resource to support states, territories, and local communities in strengthening their capacity to address the behavioral health needs of military and veteran families.
https://www.samhsa.gov/smvf-ta-center

Solid Start
The stress that comes with the transition from active duty can be overwhelming for any service members, but younger veterans can often face additional challenges. The VA has established the Solid Start program that helps support every service member transitioning from service. Newly separated service members can expect three calls from qualified Solid Start representatives over the first year of separation.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/TRANSITION/solid-start.asp

Stay Quit Coach
Stay Quit Coach is designed to help Veterans and others go from quitting smoking to becoming a non-smoker for good. Stay Quit Coach is based on an integrated care manual for Veterans with PTSD who smoke cigarettes.
https://mobile.va.gov/app/stay-quit-coach

Substance Abuse & Addiction Recover Alliance of Virginia (SAARA)
SAARA is the leading voice in Virginia on substance use disorder and recovery. They provide individuals and communities with education, advocacy and support.
https://www.saara.org/

Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.
https://www.samhsa.gov/

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program Locations
Links to Specialized SUD Programs in various states.
https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/SUD.asp

Substance Use Support Groups

  • Alcoholics Anonymous. This international fellowship supports anyone with an alcohol use disorder.
    https://www.aa.org/
  • Cocaine Anonymous Online. Modeled closely after Alcoholics Anonymous, this 12-step program is dedicated to addressing the challenges of cocaine use.
    https://www.ca-online.org/
  • Crystal Meth Anonymous. This fellowship offers an opportunity for people who have used crystal meth to share their experiences — and their strength and support.
    https://www.crystalmeth.org/
  • Marijuana Anonymous. This organization supports those seeking to stop using marijuana.
    https://marijuana-anonymous.org/
  • Narcotics Anonymous. This international, community-based association of people recovering from drug use sponsors nearly 76,000 weekly meetings in 143 countries.
    https://www.na.org/
  • SMART Recovery. This international program aims to help people recover from SUDs as well as reduce risky behaviors like gambling. SMART Recovery sponsors face-to-face meetings around the world and daily online meetings.
    https://www.smartrecovery.org/
  • Al-Anon/Alateen. Support for family members of those struggling with alcohol use disorder.
    https://al-anon.org/

Substance Use Treatment for Veterans
The VA provides many options for veterans seeking treatment for substance use problems ranging from unhealthy alcohol use to life-threatening addiction. The services offered depend on the veteran’s specific needs.
https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems/

Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center
The Tribal Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Center offers training and technical assistance, and resources on mental and substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and mental health promotion using the Strategic Cultural Framework.
https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac

Tricare Substance Use Disorders
Information and resources from Tricare about substance use disorder and treatment options.
https://www.tricare.mil/HealthWellness/Substance-Use-Disorders

Use of Codeine, Oxycodone, and Other Opioids: Information for Employees
Technical assistance document outlining protection information for employees with opioid use disorders.
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/use-codeine-oxycodone-and-other-opioids-information-employees

Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain (2022)
The guideline describes the critical decision points in the Use of Opioids in the Management of Chronic Pain and provides clear and comprehensive evidence based recommendations incorporating current information and practices for practitioners throughout the DoD and VA Health Care systems.
https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/Pain/cot/

Veterans Crisis Line
Veterans in crisis and individuals concerned about a veterans may call the Veterans Crisis Line, a free, 24/7, confidential resource for all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans, even if they’re not enrolled in VA benefits or health care. To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255.
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

VHA LGBTQ+ Health Program
The Veterans Health Administration policies require that LGBTQ+ veterans’ health care is delivered in an affirming and inclusive environment and VA health care includes substance use disorder treatment.
https://www.patientcare.va.gov/LGBT/index.asp