Substance Abuse Recovery Program Helps Veterans Struggling with Addiction
According to data collected by the National Safety Council, drug overdose accounted for 98,268 deaths in 2021. That is an increase of 781 percent since 1999.
Deaths from overdose have risen so dramatically in the past two decades that the CDC has declared it a public health crisis. And with each life lost to drug overdose, several more are left behind to pick up the pieces.
Edward Radden III, M.D., is the Medical Director of the Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SARP) at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. For the past 11 years, he has seen firsthand the devastating affect overdose can have on Veterans and their families.
“Addiction doesn’t just affect the Veteran but also their immediate and extended family,” said Radden. “The economic consequences are severe in addition to the familial neglect that addiction almost inevitably is associated with and it can be devastating.”
Dr. Radden and the SARP team are dedicated to reducing the number of Veteran lives lost to overdose by helping those struggling with substance abuse. In SARP, Veterans can receive treatment in a safe, judgement-free space, with the support of fellow Veterans. The program offers several different forms of treatment to ensure every Veteran can find care that fits their needs. Some of the treatments available include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- Medications
- Support Groups
For Veterans needing advanced support, Radden’s team of health care professionals lead a 10-week intensive outpatient program with rolling emissions. At any given time, they are helping a couple hundred Veterans in D.C., Virginia and Maryland break free from their addictions.
“Our intensive outpatient program, which would cost hundreds of dollars a week outside of VA, is free for eligible Veterans,” said Radden. “When paired with our opiate treatment program, we can really help you overcome your addiction and regain control of your life.”
The opiate treatment program provides daily doses of methadone to help curb cravings and get Veterans through withdrawals from drugs like fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone. Currently, there are about 140 Veterans in Washington DC VA Medical Center’s methadone clinic, making it the third largest in the VA’s system. We try to connect willing veterans to care as quickly as possible.
“About 25% of our program participants are here for opioid use disorders, which carry with it a high-risk of overdose,” he said. “We want to get them immediate treatment. If you need assistance, just show up. We will try to help you right away.”
In addition to caring for Veterans with substance abuse issues, Radden and the team at SARP strive to educate everyone about the signs of an overdose and what to do if they recognize one.
“Overdose can lead to permanent damage or death if not treated quickly, so it’s important to learn the signs of an overdose and what to do when we see them, especially if you know someone who uses drugs” said Radden.
Those signs and symptoms can vary based on factors like what kind of drugs were consumed, the body’s level of tolerance and if other medications or alcohol were involved. Radden said the most common things to watch for include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of balance
- Slow or troubled breathing or lack of breathing altogether.
- Tiny, pinpoint-like pupils
- Pale, blue, or cold skin
- Seizure
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Confusion or paranoia
- Snoring or gurgling (snoring can mean that the person is struggling to breathe)
The first step if you or someone around you displays signs of an overdose is to call 9-1-1 immediately. Another The next is to administer a lifesaving, FDA approved drug called Naloxone.
Fentanyl is now the primary opioid being abused. It is more addictive and deadly than any other.
“Naloxone rapidly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids,” said Radden. “If you know someone who uses opioids, I strongly recommend having this on hand at all times.”
Naloxone comes in an easy-to-use nasal spray and can be picked up for free at any VA pharmacy by eligible Veterans. The District of Columbia also provides free naloxone doses at any pharmacy in D.C. Anyone can receive Naloxone at a D.C. pharmacy and no prescription or ID is needed.
To help promote the life-saving benefits of Naloxone and spread awareness around substance abuse, Washington DC VA Medical Center will host an overdose information fair on International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans and family members are invited to stop by the medical center atrium to meet with medical experts, learn about substance abuse recovery programs at VA, and receive free Naloxone and fentanyl testing strips.
Learn more about VA’s Substance Abuse Prevention Program here.