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Veterans and Active Military substance use treatment is a national priority. As the driving force in the national opioid epidemic, fentanyl overdoses are the number one drug problem for US Service Members and Veterans. The lethal synthetic opioid is fifty to one hundred times more potent than heroin or opium. Although fentanyl overdoses affect all military branches, it is hitting the Army the hardest.

Indeed, according to a Washington Post study, since 2020, every annual record-taking continues to result in a record number of fatal overdoses. Moreover, deaths are happening among both army soldiers and veterans. As a national plague, nobody is exempt from the fentanyl abuse crisis. In Washington, lawmakers are asking the Pentagon to release overdose data each year publicly. In addition, they feel the need to improve treatment options for those suffering from substance use disorders (SUD).

Veterans and Active Military Substance Use Treatment

Without question, treatment options for fentanyl overdoses are a priority. As a provider of SUD treatment for Veterans and Active Military Service Members, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) understands the need. At the same time, the National Institute on Drug Abuse also highlights this issue. An awareness of the growing fentanyl use problem in military circles is not a secret. Instead, it is a harsh reality that plagues soldiers and military doctors.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse website, “More than one in 10 Veterans who seek care at the US Veteran’s Administration meet the criteria to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder—slightly higher than the rate among the general population. The stress of training, deployment, returning home, and other facets of military life and culture may account for some differences in substance use between military service members and civilians. Those with multiple deployments, combat exposure, and combat-related injuries are at greatest risk of developing substance use problems.”

When introducing the new transparency bill, Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) warned that “hundreds of service members have lost their lives to overdose and thousands more nearly did.” Markey underlines that seeking treatment is a sign of strength. Veterans and active military substance use treatment saves lives.

Fentanyl Overdoses = Veterans and Active Military Substance Use Treatment

According to casualty records obtained by The Washington Post through the Freedom of Information Act, the Army lost 127 soldiers to fentanyl overdoses between 2015 and 2022. Incredibly, that figure is twice as high as the number of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq during the same period. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, during the same time frame, more than 15,000 troops overdosed but survived.

Fentanyl overdoses in the Army mainly affect enlisted personnel. Only 2% of the deaths were officers. Moreover, of the 127 fentanyl overdoses reported in these records, the average age was just below 26. Sixteen were Black, and 17 were Hispanic or Latino, but the vast majority were young Caucasian men. Indeed, the number defies stereotypes, revealing the extent and reach of the problem.

In response to these statistics, Army spokeswoman Heather Hagan said, “Taking care of people, including the prevention of misuse of prescription or illicit drugs, is a priority for the Army. One drug overdose is one too many.” In addition, the Pentagon started an ad campaign with the tagline Let’s talk, I’m listening to raise awareness about fentanyl use, overdoses, and the military’s response.

Severity of the Crisis = Help Is Needed Today

However, the problem of fentanyl overdoses is not going away. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) understands the severity of the crisis, saying, “The information we received from the Department of Defense is a call to action to address this epidemic’s impact on service members and their families and to institute systemic reform to prevent overdose, improve access to treatment, and reduce the stigma of asking for help.”

As a provider of Veterans and Active Military substance use treatment options, TTC agrees 100% with these conclusions. There is no question that treatment services are a priority. Therefore, we are here to help Veterans and Active Service Military Members. To learn more about treatment options, please get in touch with us today.