The opioid crisis has affected many different types of Americans, but one group has been especially hurt by the pandemic. Veterans, who bravely served our country, are unfortunately turning to substances to deal with a number of hardships from military life.
With the rise of opioid use throughout the United States, and particularly in states such as Ohio and Massachusetts, veterans are abusing painkillers at a high rate. Several Massachusetts rehab centers for veterans are working toward aiding these individuals away from substance abuse with treatment. Below we’ll explore why veterans are at risk for painkiller addiction.
What Are Painkillers?
Painkiller is an umbrella term for a number of different medicines that people with intense to mild physical pain take. While some painkillers are over-the-counter and for the most part non-addictive, there are some that can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Many prescribed painkillers are opioids, which are a family of drugs that induce pain-relieving, relaxing, and body-numbing effects. Some opioid painkillers are:
- Vicodin
- Oxycontin
- Percocet
- Opana
- Kadian
- Avinza
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
While these prescription opioids are very effective in treating chronic pain, they are extremely addictive. Opioids are part of the same drug family as heroin, the illicit street drug.
Opioids affect many normal body functions, including dangerously slowing down breathing. This is when overdoses, seizures, or comas may occur. Short-term effects of opioid use are:
- vomiting
- nausea
- euphoria
- confusion
- drowsiness
- constipation
Why Are Painkillers Prescribed to Veterans?
Veterans go through many traumatic events while on tour, affecting both the brain and the body. Combat, physical exertion, and training are all physically demanding on a soldier. It’s not uncommon for veterans to get injured in the line of duty. To treat wounds and the following lingering pain, painkillers are prescribed.
Other veterans don’t necessarily have physical pain from war but have gone through events that scar them psychologically. Some of these individuals may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The symptoms of PTSD can be:
- flashbacks in the form of dreams or triggers that induce extreme anxiety, aggression, or violent behavior
- avoiding certain situations that remind someone of a traumatic event or series of events
- bouts of extreme depression and anxiety
- trouble sleeping
- disinterest in activities or hobbies previously enjoyed
Why Are Painkillers Misused by Veterans?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in every 10 veterans has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder. This is slightly higher than the general population. On top of physical and mental pain from war, there are other factors that make for the high rate of substance use disorders in veterans. Factors can include:
- family history with substance abuse
- other mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder
- how military life promotes substances as a way to reward and bond with fellow soldiers
Perhaps one of the biggest factors that cause veterans to abuse painkillers is the transition back from deployment to normal life.
The army sets up a highly scheduled routine for soldiers. Meals, showers, and duties are planned almost every day for them, and they don’t worry about having to pay bills, cook food, or plan time off. When an active-duty member comes back from the structured and sometimes adrenaline-filled days of military life to the calm routine of normal life, it can take a while to settle in.
Veterans may find it hard to connect with those who don’t share their experiences. For some who were in constant warfare, life back home is too slow. This can cause veterans to abuse substances, such as painkillers, to avoid these uncomfortable feelings.
How to Help
Understanding the unique situations that veterans have been in, and that substance use disorders are medically diagnosed and require treatment, is the first step in helping veterans who have abused painkillers. Suggesting addiction treatment and coming from a place of understanding can help a veteran start toward the path of recovery.
