Veterans' Healthy Living Winter 2015
Providing Safe and Effective Pain Care is a Priority at VA
Chronic pain affects more than half of all Veterans enrolled in VA health care. It is the most common health problem among Veterans returning from recent conflicts, and older Veterans are now developing age-related health problems like arthritis that are often accompanied by chronic pain. While some Veterans find short-term relief with prescription medications such as opioids (e.g., morphine and oxycodone), these drugs have led to an alarming new trend when taken for longer periods: drug dependency and death.
From 1999–2006, people aged 35–54 years had higher poisoning death rates involving opioid analgesics compared to those in other age groups. In fact, by 2005, the number of deaths nationally exceeded those from both firearms and motor vehicle accidents combined in that age group.
The total number of opioid related deaths in the United States (100,000 between 1999 and 2010) far exceeds the number of U.S. military casualties in the Vietnam War (58,000).
Carolyn M. Clancy, MD, Interim Under Secretary for Health, announced in October that VA is implementing a system-wide approach to addressing the risks of long-term opioid use to manage chronic pain. The new approach will include safe prescribing practices, correct medication choices, alternative therapies, and dose reductions.
“We’re finding that many Veterans who have taken pain medications for a long time may be able to manage just as well without them or with lower doses,” she said. “We help Veterans suffering from chronic pain reduce their use of pain medications by getting them personally involved in their own care, educating them about pain management, and supporting them as they try alternative therapies like acupuncture, mindfulness meditation, and yoga.” VA is also funding research to compare opioids with non-opioid alternatives to help clinicians and Veterans make informed choices about the best choice for them.
VA is one of the first health care systems in the country to confront the issue. As Dr. Clancy stated, “We will continue to lead the nation in reducing opioid use and work to achieve our goal of providing safe and effective pain care that improves the lives of all Veterans living with chronic pain.”
