VA Healthcare Center at New Albany

The VA Healthcare Center in New Albany, Indiana, is a part of Veterans Administration of Louisville, Kentucky. At the New Albany clinic, veterans and their families can receive outpatient comprehensive medical and mental health care, including alcohol and substance use disorder treatment. Referrals are usually required.

This clinic provides both medical and mental health care utilizing a patient aligned care team model (PACT) to ensure that veterans receive the care they need. Along with the PACT team, veterans can work with their HealthVet coordinator to schedule appointments, refill prescriptions, view test results and communicate with their healthcare team.

The veterans administration covers alcohol and substance use disorder treatment. Some of the covered evidence-based modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and contingency management (CM).

The Veterans Administration uses a harm reduction approach to alcohol and drug addiction. They believe that harm reduction keeps veterans alive while continuing to promote healthier behavior. The use of FDA approved medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone and topiramate for medication assisted treatment is covered by the VA. Research has found that the use of these medications, especially in early recovery, helps decrease withdrawal symptoms and craving, reduces the risk of relapse, lowers the risk of overdose death and helps to prevent the transmission of blood borne infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

Individuals who have benefits under the Veterans Administration can receive treatment at the New Albany Clinic. The clinic is open Monday through Friday but closed on federal holidays.