Independent Clinical Resource

Addiction Psychiatry & Mental Health
Clinical Resources

VA Medical Centers — Florida Region —

Evidence-based clinical resources for Veterans, VA providers, social workers, and mental health staff across . Aligned with VHA Directive 1160.04(2) and VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines.

41 Clinical Guides

VA/DoD Aligned

Florida Network

VHA Directive 1160.04(2)

988 → Press 1 | Veterans Crisis Line

VHA Directive 1160.04(2) | National SUD Policy

MISSION Act | Community Care Referrals

VA/DoD CPG | Clinical Practice Guidelines

VA Telemedicine | Rx via telehealth (prior VHA eval)

Clinical Resources

Resource Library

Evidence-based clinical guides for addiction psychiatry and mental health practice within the VA system. Updated on a rolling basis.

4 guides

OUD & Buprenorphine

Opioid use disorder treatment protocols, buprenorphine induction, naltrexone comparison, and perinatal OUD continuity within the VA system.

Buprenorphine Induction Protocol Buprenorphine Telepsychiatry Naltrexone XR vs. Oral Comparison Perinatal OUD Continuity of Care

3 guides

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol withdrawal management, sex-sensitive AUD pharmacotherapy, and women-focused treatment approaches.

Alcohol Withdrawal Management Protocol Sex-Sensitive AUD Pharmacotherapy Women-Focused AUD Pharmacotherapy

8 guides

Perinatal & Women's SUD

Comprehensive resources for perinatal addiction, women-specific SUD treatment, postpartum care, trauma-informed approaches, and the telescoping phenomenon.

Perinatal SUD Dyad Package Women & Perinatal Addiction Women, Pregnancy & Substance Use Postpartum Addiction Psychiatry Postpartum Overdose Prevention Mother-Infant Dyad Telescoping Phenomenon — Women's Addiction Trauma-Informed Women's SUD Care

3 guides

PTSD, Trauma & Co-occurring

Addiction-trauma intersection, anxiety management, and acute psychiatric care for Veterans with co-occurring disorders.

Addiction & Trauma Inheritance Anxiety Management Acute Psychiatric Care

5 guides

Psychopharmacology

Polypharmacy in treatment-resistant depression, SSRI cross-titration, high-dose benzodiazepine management, and advanced intervention strategies.

Polypharmacy & Treatment-Resistant Depression SSRI Cross-Titration Guide Telepsychiatry SSRI Cross-Titration Advanced Interventions High-Dose Benzodiazepines

4 guides

Geriatric & Neurodevelopmental

Geriatric mental health, dementia-related agitation, developmental psychiatry, and ADHD across the lifespan in veteran populations.

Geriatric Mental Health Dementia Agitation Developmental Psychiatry ADHD Across the Lifespan

5 guides

Clinical Practice & Measurement

Measurement-based care, practice optimization, primary care psychiatry integration, culturally responsive approaches, and motivational interviewing.

Measurement-Based Care Practice Optimization Primary Care Psychiatry Culturally Responsive Care 5-Minute Motivational Interviewing

2 guides

Diagnostics & Crisis

Bipolar vs. borderline differential diagnosis and involuntary commitment guidelines for VA mental health settings.

Bipolar vs. Borderline Differential Involuntary Commitment

Key National VA Directives

Current regulatory and clinical policy references relevant to addiction psychiatry and SUD treatment within the VA system.

VHA Directive 1160.04(2)

Management of Substance Use Disorders. Last updated December 2022, amended July 2024 and March 2025. Establishes national policy for SUD screening, assessment, and treatment across VHA.

VA/DoD CPG for SUD Management

2021 full clinical practice guideline. Evidence-based recommendations for screening, MOUD initiation, AUD pharmacotherapy, and integrated care delivery.

MAT Act (January 2023)

X-waiver eliminated. All DEA-registered VA providers can now prescribe buprenorphine for OUD without additional certification or patient limits.

VA Telemedicine Final Rule

January 2025, effective December 31, 2025. VA practitioners can prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine to Veterans with any prior VHA in-person evaluation from any VHA clinician.

MISSION Act

Veterans can access community mental health and SUD care when VA cannot provide timely or geographically accessible services. Referrals through VA primary care teams.

VA National Formulary — SUD Medications

Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone)

Buprenorphine monoproduct (preferred in pregnancy)

Naltrexone oral (ReVia)

Naltrexone XR injectable (Vivitrol)

Acamprosate (Campral)

Disulfiram

Nicotine replacement therapies

VA Medical Centers — Florida Region

Serving Veterans in Florida and surrounding areasms,

Tampa VAMC Bay Pines VAMC Orlando VAMC Miami VAMC West Palm Beach VAMC North Florida / South Georgia VAMC San Juan VAMC

is one of the largest VA networks in the country, providing comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services to Veterans across a diverse geographic region. Each facility offers SUD specialty care, MST coordinators, and integrated mental health services.

Veterans Crisis Line

Call 988, then Press 1. Available 24/7 for Veterans in crisis, their families, and friends.

VA SUD Specialty Care

Contact your local VAMC directly for SUD specialty care referrals, MOUD initiation, or intensive outpatient programs.

MST Coordinator

A Military Sexual Trauma coordinator is available at every VA facility. Ask at your local VAMC or contact the Women Veterans Hotline.

MISSION Act Referrals

Community care referrals for mental health and SUD services are coordinated through your VA primary care team.

About

About This Resource

These clinical resources were developed to support evidence-based addiction psychiatry and mental health practice within the VA system. Content is aligned with VHA Directive 1160.04(2), the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines for SUD Management, and current DEA telehealth regulations.

Designed for use by Veterans seeking information about their care, VA providers implementing MOUD and mental health treatment, social workers and case managers, LMHCs, and interdisciplinary VA mental health teams.

Independent Clinical Resource · Serving Veterans in Florida, South Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Addiction Psychiatry & Mental HealthClinical Resources