Veterans, Addiction, and Overdose: What You Need to Know

An estimated 1 million veterans are taking opiate painkillers. About half of that number — a half-million veterans — are reported to be addicted to those medications. Yet, tens of thousands have zero access to the treatment they need to heal.

Megan McLemore is a senior health researcher for Human Rights Watch and author of a recent report titled “No Time to Waste: Evidence-Based Treatment for Drug Dependence at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.”

Says McLemore: “Hundreds of thousands of veterans are struggling with chronic pain, drug dependency, mental health conditions, and homelessness — conditions that are often deeply intertwined. The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed effective, evidence-based programs, but obstacles remain in policy and implementation to reach all veterans who need them.”

Veterans and Overdose

In many cases, veterans who are taking opiate medications for pain accidentally overdose when they misuse or abuse their prescriptions. In other cases, the overdoses are intentional; an estimated 20 veterans commit suicide on average every day, according to Veterans Affairs (VA), and McLemore’s report found that about one in three Army suicides involved drugs and alcohol.

Other studies show that:

  • Almost 18 percent of deceased veterans died of an overdose, including suicide, as compared to 3 percent of the general population.
  • More than 44 percent of the veterans who died of an overdose also had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Almost 27 percent of veterans who died of an overdose were between the ages of 20 and 34 compared to just under 11 percent in the general public.
  • The average age of overdose among veterans was found to be 29.7 years old.

International Overdose Awareness Day

Every year on August 31st, people across the country take part in International Overdose Awareness Day. At events, fundraisers, and celebrations of life as well as on social media shares and memes, people are working to spread awareness about overdose. It important for people to know that so many veterans are lost to the problem every year. It is equally important to know:

  • How to identify an overdose in its early stages and respond effectively
  • What myths are in circulation about how best to manage a drug overdose and debunk them
  • Where to get and how to administer naloxone
  • What services are available for veterans who are living in active addiction
  • The stories of veterans who have lost their lives to overdose, accidental or otherwise
  • The stories of families who are struggling as deeply as the veteran they love

Taking part in International Overdose Awareness Day and shining the spotlight on the needs of veterans can make a huge difference. Not only can it help you to identify services that can help your loved one to heal but it can also spread the word that veterans are struggling and in need of support — legislative and financial support as well as medical and therapeutic care.

How will you help to raise awareness about the high rates of drug overdose among veterans?

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