# data[].attributes.body
. Writer: U.S Department of Veterans Affairs

. Subject/Text: Talks about the homeless Veteran crisis in United States. The information is based on the Statistics Provided by the government.

. Audience: Population and people interested in Human rights and Veteran health

. Context: Veteran Homelessness and the statistics associated with it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Veteran Homelessness Fact Sheet

FACT SHEET

Biden-Harris Administration Taking Action to End Veteran Homelessness

No Veteran should be without a place to call home. That is why Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough, the respective chair and vice chair of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), affirmed their commitment to ending Veteran homelessness through a whole-of-government effort. In April, Secretaries Fudge and McDonough issued a joint statement, charging their staffs in collaboration with USICH staff with developing a set of strategies and targets to accelerate progress on ending Veteran homelessness. The strategies outlined in this fact sheet were developed through that charge and comprise a comprehensive multi-year approach to eliminating Veteran homelessness.

In addition to these strategies, the Biden-Harris Administration is calling on state and local leaders through theHouse Americainitiative to re-house a significant number of people experiencing homelessness, including Veterans, into permanent housing and to add new units of affordable and supportive housing to the development pipeline to address homelessness amongst Veterans.

Since 2010, the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has been cut almost in half, from 74,087 in 2010 to 37,252 in 2020. Several factors played a role in this progress: investments in Veteran-specific programs, a Housing First approach, and strong leadership. Despite the overall decrease in Veteran homelessness, data shows that progress has stalled since 2016. In addition, 50 percent of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. are located in regions covered by only nine percent of Continuums of Care. These high-prevalence communities include large cities, rural areas, and suburbs, which emphasizes the need for targeted approaches in certain parts of the country. Together, HUD, VA, and USICH are prioritizing strategies that work, including:

1. Make Ending Veteran Homelessness a Top Priority- VA and HUD are prioritizing this effort at the highest levels. Staff in both agencies are working collaboratively to significantly reduce the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness and to prevent Veterans from experiencing homelessness in the future. The Secretaries of both agencies, in coordination with USICH will directly review progress on these goals. VA, HUD, and USICH will also pursue targeted technical assistance in communities with the highest prevalence of homeless Veterans, including Los Angeles.

2. Lead With an Evidence-Based Housing First Approach- Evidence and past progress on reducing Veteran homelessness demonstrate a Housing First approach works. HUD and VA are reinforcing Housing First, including through targeted interventions such as HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), and Grant and Per Diem. These interventions assist Veterans in obtaining stable housing as quickly as possible and without barriers or preconditions. HUD is assisting Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in identifying additional vacant apartments and engaging landlords through technical assistance on best practices, higher voucher payment standards as needed, and guidance on extraordinary administrative fees for activities related to landlord engagement.

3. Reach Underserved Veterans- HUD and VA are pursuing new approaches to serve Veterans for whom prior efforts have fallen short, including Veterans with other than honorable discharge status, Native American Veterans (both on and off Tribal lands), and Veterans who are women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+, aging, and/or living in rural areas. The agencies are implementing continuous evaluation of current policies and the development of new strategies to identify and remove barriers to housing, ensure that programs operate in an equitable manner, and address disparities in access and outcomes based on race, gender identity, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, and legal history. VA and HUD will continue to directly engage Veterans, including those experiencing disparity, to understand their experiences and inform action. HUD is encouraging the prioritization of Veterans who cannot be served by HUD-VASH, SSVF, or other programs for American Rescue Plan Emergency Housing Vouchers and Housing Choice Vouchers. VA is enhancing residential homeless programs - including Grant and Per Diem programs - and increasing the use of telehealth to equitably reach underserved Veteran populations, including justice-involved Veterans and Veterans living in rural areas.

4. Increase the Supply of and Access to Affordable Housing- A significant obstacle to ending Veteran homelessness is the lack of affordable housing, especially in many urban centers. HUD is using American Rescue Plan resources to increase the supply of affordable housing and ensure Veterans have access. HUD and VA are engaging landlords and affordable housing developers, supporting the use of federal programs to create and subsidize affordable housing, identifying ways to improve Veteran access to these housing units, supporting state and local collaboration to finance and create affordable housing, and examining and addressing current barriers to project-basing HUD-VASH vouchers and Housing Choice Vouchers. HUD is encouraging grantees, housing agencies, and developers to adopt policies that establish admissions preferences for Veterans. USICH is engaging with localities to examine their inventory of affordable housing, including local Veteran set-asides and preferences, to determine how affordable housing available to Veterans can be expanded.

5. Ensure the Delivery of Quality Supportive Services- Supportive services are critical to helping Veterans find and retain housing. These services serve as a platform for achieving health, recovery, and economic success. Working with federal and community stakeholders, we are identifying ways to ensure Veterans have access to quality supportive health, mental health, and legal services alongside employment and housing assistance provided by VA or community partners. VA is working to develop initiatives that support the integration of geriatric services with VA homeless programs to address the needs of aging Veterans. VA is increasing Veterans' access to legal services through additional grants and will work to increase employment opportunities to enhance income and financial stability.

6. Prevent Homelessness Among Veterans- In addition to accelerating the pace of re-housing Veterans who are currently homeless, VA and HUD are working to significantly reduce the number of Veterans who newly experience homelessness through enhanced homelessness prevention efforts. HUD is providing technical assistance to help Continuums of Care implement effective targeted homelessness prevention and diversion as part of coordinated entry systems. VA is expanding home retention options and expanding rental assistance to extremely low and very low-income Veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. HUD and VA are supporting federal interagency efforts to prevent Veterans from housing loss due to evictions and foreclosures through American Rescue Plan resources.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
No Veteran should be without a place to call home. That is why Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough, the respective chair and vice chair of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), affirmed their commitment to ending Veteran homelessness through a whole-of-government effort.

# data[].attributes.body
. Writers: Veterans mental health agency.

. Subject/Text: Veterans have a long history with suffering with mental illnesses such as Ptsd. etc. Veterans have a high rate of suicide according to the statistics.

. Audience: Veterans and their family members or friends. Members and advocates on mental health.

. Context: Current numbers and the current options to explore for help as well as historical trends.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A major, yet preventable health problem in the U.S. is suicide. 1 Sadly, veterans comprise nearly a quarter of suicide deaths in the U.S. 1

Suicidal Warning Signs

In 2017, a team of researchers looking at data on more than 4.8 million Veterans found that Veterans with substance use disorders had twice the risk of suicide compared to those without a substance use disorder. ²

Other commonly cited factors leading to increased suicide risk in veterans as well as other groups: ³

Anger, rage, mood swings, and episodes of anxiety and agitation.

Expressing feelings of having no reason to live

Increased alcohol and/or substance abuse.

Self-destructive and risky behaviors like driving while impaired.

Are Veterans at a Higher Risk for Suicide?

The suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population. ⁴

Comparing the rate among female veterans to non-Veteran adult women, the rate is 2.5 times higher. ⁵ From 2001 to 2014, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) reports an increased suicide rate among women using VA health services from 14.4 per 100,000 to 17.3 per 100,000. ⁶

Suicide rates are especially high among older veterans. According the VA, in 2016, about 58% of all veterans committed suicide were among Veterans age 55 years or older. ⁴

Several other factors, in addition to distance, play a role in higher suicide rates. Certain emotional precursors may precede suicide events, including feelings of loneliness, isolation, hopelessness, and depression. ⁸ In a summary of multiple studies, the VA found a variety of factors that may increase the risk of suicide, especially where multiple factors exist, some of these include: ⁹

Acute psychosocial stressors.

Having low cholesterol.

Higher doses of opioid medications for pain control.

Insomnia.

Mental health conditions like anxiety disorder, manic-depressive disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Substance abuse, especially heavy binge drinking.

Connection between Substance Abuse and Veteran Suicide Risk

Alcohol and substance abuse can play a particularly and significant role in the increased risk of suicide. In fact, veterans that abuse drug or alcohol are over twice as likely to die by suicide than other veterans. ¹⁰ In general, people abusing drugs and alcohol are more likely: ¹¹

To be depressed.

To have social and financial problems.

To engage in impulsive and high-risk behaviors.

More than 1 in 10 veterans are diagnosed with a substance use disorder. ¹² Veterans are more likely to use alcohol; many are also have a greater risk opioid overdose. ¹²

Veterans and Mental Health Care

Mental illness has strong links to suicide among veterans. While alcohol and drug abuse accounts for higher suicide risk, other co-occurring mental disorders are often associated between substance abuse and suicide. ¹⁰ The more common mental disorders among veterans are PTSD and depression. For example, exposure to trauma or suffering a TBI while in the service can lead to increased risk of both substance abuse and PTSD or depression. ¹²

Veterans coping with the dual diagnosis of substance abuse and PTSD are likely to have psychiatric and medical conditions, such as: ¹²

Treatment and Care

In spite of these grim realities, veterans have plenty of reason for hope. The VA has doubled its efforts to address the challenges that veterans face. With the passage of the MISSION Act of 2018, the federal government is making aggressive efforts at extending outreach to veterans. Among other things, the MISSION Act: ¹³

Includes provisions that enhance the recruitment of clinicians.

Authorizes access to community urgent care providers.

Expands telehealth services.

Treatment for Veterans at American Addiction Centers

The provision of increasing access to community care providers is especially beneficial to veterans who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or intentions.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a community care provider. Our Desert Hope and Recovery First faculties offer the Salute to Recovery program that employs an array of addiction treatment methods and curriculum dedicated to military veterans with substance use and mental health challenges.
Our Admissions Navigators are always available to assist you. Call Now (888) 902- VETS
AAC's admissions navigators will educate you on what the process looks like and what is needed in order for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for a private facility on your behalf.

No longer do you or your loved one have to feel isolated or entirely dependent on the VA for help. Because of the MISSION Act and AAC's Salute to Recovery program, greater access to urgent care providers and treatment, in addition to crisis lines, provide much needed help and hope for the future.

See a testimonial about our Salute to Recovery Program.

Sources

1. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2016). Suicide Statistics

2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2017) VA research on Suicide Prevention.

3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2019). Suicide prevention.

4. U.S Department of Veteran Affairs (2018). VA National Suicide Data Report: 2015-2016.

5. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (2017). VA Releases Suicide Statistics by State.

6. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (2017). Facts about Suicide among Women Veterans.

7. Suicide Prevention Resource Center (2017). Suicide among Veterans Highest in Western U.S., Rural Areas.

8. Thomas, L. P. M., Palinkas, L. A., Meier, E. A., Iglewicz, A., Kirkland, T., & Zisook, S. (2014). Yearning to Be Heard. Crisis, 35(3), 161-167.

9. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Suicide Prevention.

10. Bohnert, K. M., Ilgen, M. A., Louzon, S., Mccarthy, J. F., & Katz, I. R. (2017). Substance use disorders and the risk of suicide mortality among men and women in the US Veterans Health Administration. Addiction, 112(7), 1193-1201.

11. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2008). Does alcohol and other substance abuse increase the risk of suicide?.

12. National Institute on Drug Abuse (2019). Substance Use and Military Life.

13. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (2019). VA launches new health care options under MISSION Act.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Suicide Among Veterans - Why are Veterans at a Higher Risk of Suicide?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A major, yet preventable health problem in the U.S. is suicide. The suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population. In spite of these grim realities, veterans have plenty of reason for hope. The VA has doubled its efforts to address the challenges that veterans face.

# data[].attributes.body
. Writer: National Institute on Drug Abuse

. Subject/Text: Information on Veterans and drug abuse. Talks about the statistics on drugs and signs to look for. Veterans have a trend to be more on drugs.

. Audience: Veterans and doctors. People advocating for mental health and health in general.

.Context: Veteran drug abuse history and how to combat these issues.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
General Risk of Substance Use Disorders

Camp Simba conducts inaugural flag ceremony

The stresses of deployments and the unique culture of the military offer both risks and protective factors related to substance use among active duty personnel. Deployment is associated with smoking initiation, unhealthy drinking, drug use and risky behaviors. Zero-tolerance policies, lack of confidentiality and mandatory random drug testing that might deter drug use can also add to stigma, and could discourage many who need treatment from seeking it. For example, half of military personnel have reported that they believe seeking help for mental health issues would negatively affect their military career. However, overall, illicit drug use among active duty personnel is relatively low and cigarette smoking and misuse of prescription drugs have decreased in recent years. In contrast, rates of binge drinking are high compared to the general population.

Service members can face dishonorable discharge and even criminal prosecution for a positive drug test, which can discourage illicit drug use. Once active duty personnel leave the military some protective influences are gone, and substance use and other mental health issues become of greater concern.

More than one in ten veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, slightly higher than the general population. One study found that the overall prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) among male veterans was lower than rates among their civilian counterparts when all ages were examined together. However, when looking at the pattern for only male veterans aged 18-25 years, the rates were higher in veterans compared with civilians. The veteran population is also greatly impacted by several critical issues related to substance use, such as pain, suicide risk, trauma, and homelessness.

Illicit drugs

Among Active Duty Personnel:

Rates of illicit drug use among active duty service members have decreased in recent years and were at lower levels in the 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey (HRBS) compared to the 2011 survey. The HRBS is the flagship survey for understanding the health, health-related behaviors and well-being of service members funded by the Department of Defense. It should be noted that the survey relies on self-reporting, and response rate is low, at 8.6%. However, it does provide a glimpse into substance use among active duty personnel.

The 2015 survey reported that illicit drug use in the past year was reported by less than 1 percent across all service branches and among both enlisted personnel and officers. By comparison, a large government self-reported survey of civilians suggests about 1 in 5 young adults aged 18 to 25 (22.3%) were current users of illicit drugs in 2015.

Veterans:

Reported rates of illicit drug use increase when active duty personnel leave military service. Marijuana accounts for the vast majority of illicit drug use among veterans with 3.5% reporting use, and 1.7% reporting use of illicit drugs other than marijuana in a 1-month period. From 2002 to 2009, cannabis use disorders increased more than 50% among veterans treated by in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system. Other illicit drugs are of concern for some veterans. One government report notes that more than ten percent of veteran admissions to substance use treatment centers were for heroin (10.7%), followed by cocaine at just over 6%.

Opioid and other Prescription Drug Misuse

Active Duty:

Among active-duty service members in the 2015 HRBS, just over 4% reported misusing one or more prescription drug types in the past year.

There has been much discussion about the amount of prescription pain medications prescribed to injured and sick military personnel, especially during the transition to medical discharge. Military physicians wrote nearly 3.8 million prescriptions for pain medication in 2009, more than quadruple the number of such prescriptions written in 2001. However, in the past few years, self-reported use of both prescription opioid pain relievers and use of sedatives has decreased among active duty personnel. From 2011 to 2015, the percentage of service members using pain relievers in the past month decreased by nearly half, likely reflecting prevention and appropriate prescribing initiatives set in motion by the Department of Defense. Nonetheless, these medications were misused and overused more often than other drugs. Prescription drug misuse was highest in the Army and lowest in the Coast Guard.

Opioid use disorders among military personnel often begin with a opioid pain prescription following an injury during deployment. However, due to the addictive nature of opioids, particularly coupled with mental health struggles experienced by some military service men and women, regular use of opioids can lead to addiction.

Veterans:

Many veterans have unique issues related to pain management, with two-thirds reporting they experience pain. More than 9% reported that they experience severe pain, compared to only 6.4% of non-veterans, putting them at higher risk for accidental opioid pain reliever overdoses. From 2001 to 2009, the percent of veterans in the VHA system receiving an opioid prescription increased from 17% to 24%. Similarly, the overall opioid overdose rates of veterans increased to 21% in 2016 from 14% in 2010. However, the overdose increases were mostly from heroin and synthetic opioids, and not from opioids taken for pain relief.

Alcohol

Active Duty:

Alcohol use disorders are the most prevalent form of SUDs among military personnel. It is challenging to compare overall rates to the non military population because service personnel tend to be younger and have a higher percentage of males, putting them at greater risk in general. However, increased combat exposure involving violence and trauma experienced by those who serve result in an increased risk of problematic drinking. The 2015 HRBS report concluded that across all services, 5.4 percent of military personnel were heavy drinkers compared to 6.7 percent in the general adult population reported in 2014. However, binge drinking was reported as higher among active duty personnel (30% vs. 24.7%), although lower than the 33% reported in 2011. One in three of service members were binge drinkers, comparable to a 2014 estimate of one in four in the general population. More than one in three service personnel met criteria for hazardous drinking or possible alcohol use disorder, with rates higher among men than women.

Veterans:

Smoking

Active Duty:

Deployment and combat exposure puts service personnel at risk for smoking initiation, but rates have decreased in recent years. The 2015 HRBS report showed that close to 14% of service members were current cigarette smokers and more than 7% smoke daily. This roughly compares to a rate of 15% of current smokers in the general U.S. adult population in 2015, with 11% smoking daily. The 2015 rates in the military represent a decrease from 24% in 2011 (with 13% reported as daily smokers.) The 2015 report also showed that nearly 9% of military service personnel were current cigar smokers and nearly 13% used smokeless tobacco. Close to 40% of those who smoke started after enlisting, underscoring the need for prevention strategies for new active duty personnel. The Department of Defense offers smoking cessation programs, and in 2016 prohibited tobacco use on its medical facilities, with a goal to achieve tobacco-free installations by 2020.

Veterans:

Data suggests that veterans are more likely to use tobacco products than their non-veteran counterparts in nearly all age groups, with close to 30% reporting use. The high prevalence of tobacco use among people with military experience has had a significant financial impact on the VHA, costing an estimated $2.7 billion (7.6% of its expenditures) on smoking-related ambulatory care, prescription drugs, hospitalization, and home health care.

In addition, a higher proportion of veterans with coronary heart disease are smokers compared to civilians with similar diagnoses. For those without heart disease, veterans are more likely to be former smokers than all civilians. In recent years, the VHA has made efforts to increase access to tobacco cessation treatment options, yielding some results.

Vaping and E-Cigarettes:

In 2017, the U.S. Navy issued a report that there had been more than 15 mishaps with vaping devices causing personal injuries or fire damage, about half happening on board Navy vessels or aircraft. As a result, e-cigarettes were banned throughout the fleet.

With the growing number of serious lung illnesses and deaths related to vaping reported in 2019, service members and their families were officially alerted about the dangers, and encouraged not to use e-cigarette products. Subsequently, in October 2019 the Army, Air Force and Navy banned sales of vaping devices from retail exchanges on bases.

Substance Use, Mental Health and Military/Veteran Life

All veterans experience a period of readjustment as they leave the military and reintegrate into life with family, friends, and their community, leaving them with unique mental health challenges. A number of environmental stressors specific to military personnel have been linked to increased risk of SUDs among military personnel and veterans, including deployment, combat exposure, and post-deployment civilian/reintegration challenges. Among veterans presenting for first-time care within the VHA system, close to 11% meet criteria for an SUD diagnosis. Veterans with SUDS commonly meet the criterial for co-occurring mental health disorders such as PTSD, depression and anxiety.

Deployments, combat exposure and combat-related injuries may lead to the development of substance use problems.

Those who have experienced trauma or were hospitalized or injured during combat are at risk for increased drinking or drug use. Veterans with SUDs are 3-4 times more likely to receive a PTSD or depression diagnosis.

Counseling

Research suggests that relatively few service members receive counseling related to SUDs, however there are few studies on SUD services received in the military. 1 Behavioral interventions for the management of SUDs typically involve short-term, cognitive-behavioral therapy interventions. These interventions focus on the identification and modification of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors associated with increased craving, use, or relapse to substances. With some drugs-opioids, alcohol, and tobacco-behavioral counseling is an effective companion to approved medication therapy. With other drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, there are no approved medicines for treatment, making behavioral counseling the focus of treatment. The military offers free counseling services for alcohol and substance use disorders, including smoking cessation support. There are also several services and interventions available to help reduce SUDs among veterans, including both behavioral and pharmacological treatments.

SUDs, PTSD and Depression

Suicide

Homelessness

U.S. military veterans are estimated to be a large portion (around 11 percent) of homeless adults. According to a 2014 study, around 70 percent of homeless veterans also have a substance use disorder. In 2011, about one fifth of veterans in substance use treatment were homeless. These homeless veterans experience unique challenges and barriers to substance use disorder treatment. Targeting homeless veterans in need of treatment so that they can receive support through outreach services, case management, and housing assistance can improve their chances of entering substance use treatment and experiencing positive outcomes.

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade conduct inspections.

Addressing the Problem

A 2012 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report identified a number of barriers to substance use disorder care among active duty military personnel and veterans, including limited access to treatment, gaps in insurance coverage, stigma, fear of negative consequences, and lack of confidential services. The report offered remedies, including increasing the use of evidence-based prevention and treatment interventions and expanding access to care. The report also recommended broadening insurance coverage to include effective outpatient treatments and better equipping health care providers to recognize and screen for substance use problems so they can refer patients to appropriate, evidence-based treatment when needed. The IOM report also notes that addressing substance use in the military will require increasing confidentiality and shifting a cultural climate in which drug problems can be stigmatized and evoke fear in people suffering from them.

In 2013, the VHA began the Opioid Safety Initiative, a multifaceted intervention that has been associated with a 16% reduction in opioid prescribing in the first two years. The VHA also recently revised its clinical practice guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, and has increased its resources for consumers, including a consumer fact sheet on safe and responsible use of opioids for chronic pain.

In 2016, the military's Tricare health system for active duty personnel announced it was expanding its treatment services to include intensive outpatient programs. Its health system web site now offers an alcohol and drug use assessment tool at https://www.tricare.mil/HealthWellness/Substance-Use-Disorders.

The Veterans Administration has also 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. From 2015-2016, the number of suicides per year among veterans decreased.

Treatment

Treatment for various substance use and mental disorders are available through military health systems and have been shown to be effective. Treatments include behavioral interventions and medicines when available. All treatment should be individualized, including approved medication options approved for patients with alcohol, nicotine and opioid use disorders.

There are three FDA-approved medicines to treat opioid addiction, offering options to meet individual needs. Buprenorphine and methadone are medicines that bind to the same receptors in the brain as opioids, called opioid agonists or partial agonists. Naltrexone is another medication that treats opioid addiction, but it is called an antagonist, preventing opioids from having an effect on the brain. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved a medicine called lofexidine to help make withdrawal symptoms easier for people who are trying to stop using opioids, which should be followed with engagement in treatment.

While many treatment centers do not offer these medications, the National Academy of Sciences recently issued a scientific report stating that medications for opioid use disorder are effective, save lives and have better long-term outcomes than treatment that does not include medications. A combination of medication with behavioral therapy can reinforce treatment goals, rebuild relationships with friends and family, and build healthy life skills.

The Veterans Health Administration acknowledges that treatment with medications for opioid use disorder, including opioid agonists (methadone or buprenorphine), is the first-line treatment for opioid use disorder and recommends it for all opioid-dependent patients. Notably, a 2015 revision of treatment guidelines for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense shifted toward allowing these medications as a treatment option for active duty military members. However, despite evidence of effectiveness, these medications are prescribed to fewer than 35% of Veterans Health Administration patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder. Barriers to opioid agonist medication among VHA providers include lack of perceived patient interest, stigma toward the patient population, and lack of education about opioid agonist treatment.

Families with loved ones with opioid use disorders should investigate having the medicine naloxone on hand to reverse an opioid overdose. An easy- to- use nasal spray is available at many pharmacies without personal prescriptions.

Current Research

NIDA and other government agencies continue to research strategies for managing substance use disorders and related mental health issues in people with military experience. The research questions can be complex and vary with different population subtypes, and can reveal the need for additional research directions. For example, a 2019 study looked at the effectiveness of integrating treatment for both SUDs and PTSD, concluding that veterans with PTSD and co-occurring polysubstance use issues (as compared to a single substance use issue) may experience greater improvement in substance use but less improvement in PTSD symptoms. Another 2019 study identified chronic pain as a common condition among polysubstance users and showed the importance of incorporating interdisciplinary pain management approaches during treatment to reduce reliance on long-term opioid therapy and improve rehabilitation. NIDA will continue to focus on developing evidence-based strategies to help this population return to productive military and civilian lives.

Resources for Military Members, Veterans, and their families

Learn More

For additional information on drug abuse in the military, see www.nida.nih.gov.gov/related-topics/substance-abuse-in-military-life

If you are a veteran in crisis - or you're concerned about one - free, confidential support is available 24/7. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, send a text message to 838255, or chat online. (Web Link: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/MENTALHEALTH/suicide_prevention/index.asp?_ga=2.148689847.1256300298.1556635434-1259975347.1556635434)

References

1. Larson, M. J., Wooten, N. R., Adams, R. S., & Merrick, E. L. (2012). Military combat deployments and substance use: Review and future directions. Journal of social work practice in the addictions, 12(1), 6-27. doi:10.1080/1533256X.2012.647586

2. Meadows, S.O., Engel, C.C, Collins, R.L, et al. (2015). Health Related Behaviors Survey: Substance Use Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2018. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9955z7.html.

3. Teeters, J.B., Lancaster, C.L., Brown, D.G., & Back, S.E. (2017). Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. 8, 69-77. doi:10.2147/SAR.S116720.

4. Jamal, A., King, B.A., Neff, L.J., et al. (2016). Current cigarette smoking among adults-United States, 2005-2015. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 65, 1205-1211. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6544a2

5. Veteran's Primary Substance of Abuse is Alcohol in Treatment Admissions, The CBHSQ Report, SAMHSA, November 10, 2015. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_2111/Spotlight-2111.html

6. Institute of Medicine. Substance Use Disorders in the US Armed Forces. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2013. https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13441/substance-use-disorders-in-the-us-armed-forces

7. Nahin R. L. (2017). Severe pain in veterans: The effect of age and sex, and comparisons with the general population. The journal of pain: Official journal of the American Pain Society, 18(3), 247-254. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2016.10.021

8. Lewei, A.L., Peltzman, T., McCarthy, J.F., et al. (2019). Changing trends in opioid overdose deaths and prescription opioid receipt among veterans. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 57(1), 106-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2019.01.016

9. Odani, S., Agaku, I.T., Graffunder, C.M., et al. (2018). Tobacco product use among military veterans-United States, 2010-2015. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67, 7-12. doi: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.15585/mmwr.mm6701a2

10. Shahoumian, T.A., Phillips, B.R., & Backus, L.I. (2016). Cigarette smoking, reduction and quit attempts: Prevalence among veterans with coronary heart disease. Preventing Chronic Disease. 13(E41). doi: 10.5888/pcd13.150282.

11. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2012). Behavioral health issues among Afghanistan and Iraq U.S. war veterans. In Brief, Volume 7, Issue 1. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma12-4670.pdf

12. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 16-4984, NSDUH Series H-51). Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/

13. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. (2018). Veteran suicide data report, 2005-2016. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/OMHSP_National_Suicide_Data_Report_ 2005-2016_508-compliant.pdf

14. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Suicide Prevention Program. (2016). Facts About Veteran Suicide. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/suicide-prevention/

15. Ilgen, M., Bohnert, A., Ganoczy, D., et al. (2016). Opioid dose and risk of suicide. Pain. 157(5). doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000484.

16. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2014). Twenty-one percent of veterans in substance abuse treatment were homeless. The TEDS Report. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/spot121-homeless-veterans-2014.pdf

17. Perl, L. (2013). Veterans and Homelessness. Washington, D.C. Congressional Research Service Report for Congress. Retrieved from https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34024.pdf

18. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2015). VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of substance use disorders. Retrieved from https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/sud/VADoDSUDCPGRevised22216.pdf

19. Finlay, A.K., Wong, J.J., Ellerbe, L.S., et al. (2018). Barriers and facilitators to implementation of pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorders in VHA residential treatment programs. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 79(6), 909-917. doi: https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2018.79.909

20. Department of Defense. (2016). Tricare; Mental health and substance use disorder treatment. Federal Register. Volume 81, Issue 171. Retrieved from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-09-02/pdf/2016-21125.pdf

21. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. (2018). Safe and responsible use of opioids for chronic pain. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/PAINMANAGEMENT/Opioid_Safety/OSI_docs/10-791-Safe_and_Responsible_Use_508.pdf

22. Lin, L.A., Bohnert, A.S., Kerns, R.D., et al. (2017). Impact of the Opioid Safety Initiative on opioid-related prescribing in veterans. Pain. 158(5), 833-839. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000837

23. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Medications for Opioid Use Disorders Save Lives. Washington, D.C. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25310

24. Jeffirs, S.M., Jarnecke, A.M., Flanagan, J.C., et al. (2019). Veterans with PTSD and comorbid substance use disorders: Does single versus poly-substance use disorder affect treatment outcomes? Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 199, 70-75. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.04.001.

25. Adams, R.S., Larson, M.J., Meerwijk, E.L., et al. (2019). Postdeployment polytrauma diagnoses among soldiers and veterans using the Veterans Health Affairs polytrauma system of care and receipt of opioids, nonpharmacologic, and mental health treatments. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 34(3), 167-175. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000481

26. Schoenborn, C.A., Gindi, R.M. (2015). Electronic cigarette use among adults: United States, 2014. NCHS Data Brief, No. 217, Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 2015. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db217.pdf

27. U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs. (2017). Navy Suspends Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) on Ships, Subs, Aircraft. April 14, 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=99913.

28. Army Public Health Center. (2019). Vaping: E-cigarettes and Personal Vaporizers. October 8, 2019. Retrieved from https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/healthyliving/tfl/Pages/Vaping.aspx (https://www.army.mil/article/231239/crdamc_cautions_against_using_vaping_products)

29. Lopez, C.T. (2019). Military exchanges extinguish vape sales. October 16, 2019. Retrieved from https://www.army.mil/article/228521/military_exchanges_extinguish_vape_sales

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Substance Use and Military Life DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Offers an overview of trends of drug use in the military and the special risks faced by this population.