Prescription Painkiller Abuse among Military Veterans is Reaching Epidemic Proportions

Prescription Painkiller Abuse among Military Veterans is Reaching Epidemic ProportionsOur military veterans sacrifice deeply to support our country, but helping them transition back to civilian life can be a challenge. Although the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in a lower percentage of soldiers dying than in previous conflicts such as World War II or the Vietnam War, many men and women return home with chronic medical problems or mental health issues. With the widespread use of prescription painkillers to control chronic pain symptoms, our military veterans who have sacrificed selflessly for the country are also at increased risk of opiate dependence.

The Scope of the Problem: Injury Among Military Veterans

More the 2.5 million Americans have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to figures from the Department of Defense. Of these, more than one-third have served multiple tours of duty. Although the death tolls are relatively low compared to the number of people serving in the wars, counterinsurgency strategies and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have resulted in a relatively high rate of injury. In fact, up to 45% of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have filed benefits claims for service-related injuries.

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https://www.opiates.com/blog/prescription-painkiller-abuse-among-military-veterans-is-reaching-epidemic-proportions/