PTSD Vets More Likely to Use and Abuse Opioids

For the many veterans afflicted with PTSD, war is not their only battle. According to a recent study in JAMA, veterans with PTSD are at an “increased risk of receiving opioids for pain, high-risk opioid use and adverse clinical outcomes.”

Opioid abuse in veterans with PTSD is a major problem. The study demonstrated that veterans with PTSD are more likely to have co-morbid drug and alcohol disorders, receive higher-dose medications, and take opioids longer than veterans without PTSD. Vets often turn to opioid abuse because they frequently lack access to dedicated mental health treatment facilities.