Opioid dependence doesn’t discriminate. Even though anyone can fall victim to it, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that military veterans are among the most vulnerable demographics when it comes to it. Due to the strong link between the use of opioids and veterans, former service members and their families are disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis.
For this reason, it is in the best interest of any veteran to get familiar with the risks and dangers related to opioids and veterans before initiating opioid therapy.
This article will not only shed light on the connection between veterans and opioid addiction but also help you better understand the dangers anyone taking opioids faces.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are drugs prescribed to control moderate-to-severe pain, usually when it cannot be managed with weaker, non-opioid painkillers. As effective as they are for pain management, opioids have a strong potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction, and prolonged opioid use enhances these risks.
Depending on their origin, opioids can be natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic. Natural opioids, also known as opiates, are extracted from the opium poppy plant. They can be synthesized in laboratories to produce semi-synthetic opioids. Meanwhile, synthetic opioids are fully human-made and don’t contain any opiates.
Regardless of how they are derived, opioids bind to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), preventing the brain from receiving pain signals. These medications can also trigger a sudden rush of dopamine, bringing about feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation that may entice some people to abuse the drug.
To minimize the risks associated with opioid use and reduce the likelihood of uncomfortable side effects, such as opioid-induced constipation and nausea, always take opioids as prescribed.
Common Types of Opioids
Here are the most common types of opioids:
- Codeine (Tylenol® with Codeine #3 and #4)
- Fentanyl (Actiq®, Sublimaze®, Duragesic®)
- Morphine (MS-Contin®, Kadian®, Roxanol®)
- Tramadol (ConZip®, Ultram®, Ryzolt®)
- Tapentadol (Nucynta®, Palexia®, Aspadol®)
- Methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Roxicodone®, Endocet®)
- Hydrocodone (Norco®, Lorcet®, Vicodin®)
- Oxymorphone (Opana®, Numorphan®)
- Hydromorphone (Exalgo®, Dilaudid®)
Now that you’re more familiar with opioids and how they work, it’s time to delve deeper into the topic of opioids and veterans.
Opioid Use Among Veterans
Opioid use among veterans is prevalent, primarily because they are more likely to suffer from chronic pain than civilians, most often as a result of injuries. Poorly-fitting gear, heavy equipment, and the like can also cause or contribute to chronic pain.
Though using opioids for chronic pain is generally not recommended, these medications are often prescribed to alleviate it. Here are some statistics related to opioids and veterans:
- A 2011 study found that as many as 64% of veterans were prescribed one or more opioid medications to treat chronic non-cancer pain.
- Around 1 in 15 U.S. military veterans had opioid addiction or another substance use disorder in 2015.
- In 2020, around 485,000 veterans above the age of 26 misused opioids, and 88,000 of them met the criteria for opioid use disorder. Oxycodone was the most commonly misused prescription opioid among veterans, with 9.4% abusing this drug specifically.
Combat veterans who sustain combat-related injuries and experience multiple deployments are particularly likely to be prescribed opioids.
This is because they face a higher risk of not only physical but also psychological trauma, which can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The above-mentioned study from 2011 found that receiving a PTSD diagnosis increases the likelihood of being prescribed opioids.
PTSD in Veterans
PTSD is a mental health condition caused by witnessing or experiencing distressing events. It is characterized by symptoms such as hypervigilance, nightmares, mood changes, and social withdrawal, among others. 7% of veterans develop PTSD as a result of life-threatening war experiences, accidents, and other traumatic events.
While studies show that PTSD can increase the likelihood of receiving prescription opioids, it is not uncommon for it to be misdiagnosed and left untreated. Unfortunately, this can cause veterans to use and abuse substances, including opioids, in an attempt to self-medicate and relieve pain, be it physical or psychological.
On that note, let’s explore the dangers of the connection between opioids and veterans in greater detail.
The Impact of Opioid Use on Veterans
Opioid use can have a devastating impact on anyone’s life, and veterans are no exception. Taking opioids is never safe, as repeated opioid exposure can lead to opioid dependence. Sadly, many veterans end up battling opioid dependence and addiction, including those who take their medication as prescribed.
The dangers of opioid dependence and addiction are well-known, which is why some physicians are hesitant to renew prescriptions.
Tragically, some of those dependent on opioids buy them illegally once they can no longer obtain a prescription from their doctor, putting themselves at a high risk of opioid overdose, legal problems, and more.
It is also not unheard of for opioid-dependent people to resort to illicit drugs to curb their cravings if they cannot access opioids legally. This can also increase the risk of bloodborne diseases, such as HIV. According to the 2020 National Survey On Drug Use And Health: Veterans, 54,000 U.S. veterans above the age of 26 battled heroin use disorder in 2020.
Ultimately, prolonged opioid use—and especially abuse—can negatively impact both the personal and professional lives of veterans. Some possible negative effects related to the use of opioids and veterans include:
- Job loss
- Legal issues
- Health problems
- Financial difficulties
- Strained relationships
- Opioid overdose and death
Risks and Dangers of Prolonged Opioid Use
The main risks and dangers of prolonged use of opioids veterans should be aware of include:
- Tolerance, opioid dependence, and addiction
- Liver, kidney, and other organ damage
- Chronic constipation
- Opioid overdose
- Reduced fertility
- Sleep problems
- Dental disease
- Coma
- Death
Moreover, taking opioids for an extended time can lead to opioid-induced hyperalgesia. In other words, opioids may actually enhance your pain sensitivity instead of reducing it.
Opioid abuse further enhances the risks associated with prolonged opioid use. For this reason, veterans using opioids should never:
- Take opioids in larger doses or for a longer time than prescribed
- Use opioid medications that have been prescribed to someone else
- Take opioids for non-medical purposes or in other ways than prescribed
- Mix opioids with other substances without your doctor’s approval
Though taking prescription opioids responsibly and closely following the doctor’s instructions can reduce these risks, it doesn’t eliminate them. If you are suffering from pain, the best thing you can do for yourself is to explore non-opioid treatments before initiating opioid therapy.
What Is Opioid Use Disorder?
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a condition characterized by problematic, chronic, and compulsive opioid use that continues despite causing distress to the individual. OUD is the medical and preferred term for opioid addiction, as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
More often than not, OUD follows untreated opioid dependence, though they don’t always occur together.
Nonetheless, it is crucial to treat opioid dependence. If it develops into an OUD, you’ll eventually find it nearly impossible to control your opioid use. As heartbreaking as it is, people with OUD take opioids despite the negative consequences, such as strained relationships with loved ones.
Although OUD can wreak havoc on your life, know that it is a treatable condition. Help is available, regardless of how long you’ve been battling opioid dependence and addiction.
Opioid Dependence vs. Opioid Addiction: Main Differences Explained
Opioid dependence and opioid addiction are among the greatest dangers associated with the use of opioids and veterans. Though often confused, these conditions are distinct and may or may not co-occur.
Opioid dependence describes the physical dependence on opioids, characterized by tolerance and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Anyone who takes opioids for a prolonged time will become physically dependent on them, as these drugs alter the brain at a neurochemical level, causing it to stop producing endorphins. Repeated opioid exposure also stimulates the production of opioid receptors, which leads to tolerance.
Once you develop tolerance, your usual dose loses effectiveness, prompting you to increase your dosage. This is something you shouldn’t do under any circumstances due to the risk of opioid addiction, overdose, and other adverse effects.
Besides tolerance, you can recognize opioid dependence from withdrawal symptoms, such as watery eyes, muscle aches, and vomiting, that occur after drug discontinuation. The fear of these symptoms often drives people to continue taking opioids.
If left untreated, opioid dependence can develop into an addiction. Unlike dependence, opioid addiction is largely psychological. People addicted to opioids can no longer control their impulses when it comes to opioids and will often:
- Abuse opioids
- Deny, hide, or lie about opioid use
- Isolate themselves from family and friends
- Continuously try to quit opioids with little to no success
- Attempt to obtain opioids by any means possible—even if it’s illegal
- Neglect their personal and professional responsibilities and obligations
Next, let’s talk about veterans and the opioid overdose crisis.
Opioid Overdose Among Veterans
Opioid overdose is a life-threatening condition that occurs when people take a larger amount of opioids than their bodies can metabolize. If not treated promptly, it can be deadly.
The statistics regarding veterans and opioid overdoses reveal that the number of opioid-involved deaths among U.S. veterans increased by 53% between 2010 and 2019. Only a minority of veterans were taking prescription opioids within three months of overdose; the mortality rate among veterans rose mainly due to deaths involving heroin and synthetic opioids.
The best way to prevent an opioid overdose is to avoid taking opioids and opt for non-opioid treatments. If you must take opioid medications, carefully follow your doctor’s instructions to reduce the risk of an overdose.
Call 911 as soon as you recognize the following signs of an opioid overdose:
- Confusion
- Limp body
- Unresponsiveness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Cold and clammy hands
- Small, constricted pupils
- Slowed, shallow breathing
- Discolored skin, nails, and lips
Relapse can put you at heightened risk of opioid overdose and death. Seeking professional help can increase your chances of quitting opioids for good and making a lifelong recovery.
ANR Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern opioid dependence treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann. It has helped almost 25,000 people worldwide break the chains of opioid dependence safely, quickly, and effectively.
ANR is the first and only treatment that addresses the neurochemical causes of opioid dependence, allowing patients to forget about the fear of relapse.
The ANR treatment reverses the damage opioids cause to the brain by bringing the endorphin-receptor system to its normal levels. This is precisely why ANR has an extremely high success rate—it eradicates opioid dependence along with withdrawal symptoms.
Better yet, ANR is very safe, even for those suffering from complex health issues. We tailor the treatment to each patient’s medical history and needs.
Furthermore, the ANR procedure, which takes around 4–6 hours, is performed in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals by highly experienced board-certified medical professionals, ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care. In most cases, our patients spend only around 36 hours in the hospital.
To get started with ANR, contact us for a free consultation—we’ll be happy to answer your questions, ease your concerns, and guide you through your recovery.
Key Takeaways
If there’s one thing you should know about opioids and veterans, it’s that veterans are more likely to be prescribed opioid medications than civilians due to pain, which can have devastating consequences.
Let’s summarize the key points about opioids and veterans we covered today:
- Opioids are potent drugs with pain-relieving properties and a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
- The main dangers associated with the use of opioids and veterans are opioid abuse, dependence, addiction, and overdose.
- ANR can help you overcome opioid dependence within days by returning your brain to its pre-addiction state.
