Brookings Solutions to Veteran OUD and Heroin Use by U.S. Veterans (Part 2)

Veteran OUD (opioid use disorder) and heroin use by U.S. veterans is a serious problem. In the second part of a two-part examination of John Hudak’s study on “Assessing and improving the government’s response to the veterans’ opioid crisis,” Tarzana Treatment Centers examines solutions outlined in the research study.

When it comes to helping veterans overcome opioid use disorder (OUD), The Brookings Institution makes a powerful argument that acentral role needs to be taken by the federal government.Since over 9 million veterans take part in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care program, it makes sense for the federal government to head any effort to battleagainst Veteran OUD.

Managed Care for Veterans with Opioid Use Disorder, Addressing PTSD and Chronic Pain

However, Opioid use disorder by U.S. veterans is not limited to prescription painkillers. Indeed, veteran OUDincludes the illegal abuse of heroin and streetfentanyl by U.S. Veterans. Since the VA is comprised of over 1,200 facilities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and territories,the Veterans Administrationtruly are in the best position to lead the charge.By universalizing a comprehensive healthcare approach to Veteran OUD in these facilities, a sea change couldtake place, improving health outcomes and recovery rates.

Brookings Outlines Veteran OUD Legislation

With the flood of veterans coming back from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the VA as an institutionhasbeenoverwhelmed. They simply lack the financial resources to address so many issues. These issues range from severe war wounds to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Thus, veteran OUD and helping veterans recover from addictive disorders have not been priorities.

The Best Response to Heroin Use by U.S. Veterans

The best response to the veteran OUD crisis was the passing by Congress in 2016 of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). Beyond instituting far-reaching reforms to combat the national opioid crisis, the act also took significant steps to address Veteran OUD. Toassist veterans, here are some of the steps that were taken:

Update the Clinical Practice Guidelines for chronic pain and opioid therapy
Improve informationcapabilities regardingpatient care around OUD
Designate Pain Management Teams in all facilities withareportingrequirement

Establish a centralized Office of Patient Advocacy while raising awareness
Reduce the cost of treatment for Veteran OUD while expanding the reach
Raisethestandardof VA pain managementpracticesandimprovepersonnel

OUD Recovery Restores Happiness to a Soldier's Family — Recovering from Opioid Use Disorder, a Veteran with Chronic Pain Walks With His Family

Along with the SUPPORT Act of 2018 and the VA Mission Act of 2018, definite steps have been taken to address Veteran OUD. Alas, these steps havenotworked.Thus,whatcomesnext?

JohnHudak’sSolutiontoVeteranOUD

The Brookings Institution study by John Hudak goes into great depth, looking at heroin use by U.S. veterans. Therefore, we are only able to present a piecemeal look at his well-researched solutions to the veteran OUD crisis. Nevertheless, it will give you a good sense of what needs to be done.

Several key steps need to be taken to resolve theveteran OUD crisis and heroin use by U.S. veteransintheUnitedStates. These steps include the following:

1) Take Staffing and Funding Challenges Seriously

Hence, funding initiatives to combat the crisis while hiring experienced staff is key.

2) Emphasize Evidence-Based Research and Medication–Assisted Treatment (MAT) T

Thus, prioritizing the latest research and applying MAT treatment methods is a necessity.

3) View VeteranOUDasalong–termhealthcarepolicychallenge

Indeed, veteran OUD is not going away. Thus, a long-term approach is necessary.

4) OvercomeBureaucraticHurdlesandMobilizeResponseTeams

Traditional bureaucracy is not effective when combating a deadly crisis like Veteran OUD.

Addressing Chronic Pain in U.S. Veterans

As John Hudak explains, “Higher incidences of chronic and/or severe pain, PTSD, and othermental health challenges create an environment in which veterans can be prime candidatesfor the use of opioids to treat pain, while also making them high-risk patients for adverse outcomes.”

Given the threat, it makes sense for the federal government to honor the service of veterans by making the veteran OUD crisis a priority that they fund and support. If we cannot help people who served their country on the most dangerous front lines, then who can we help?

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