Opioid and Other Substance Misuse, Overdose Risk, and the Potential for Prevention Among a Sample of OEF/OIF Veterans in New York City

Abstract

This paper describes veterans’ overdose risks and specific vulnerabilities through an analysis of qualitative data collected from a sample of recently separated, formerly enlisted OEF/OIF veterans in the New York City area. We illustrate how challenges to the civilian readjustment process such as homelessness, unemployment, and posttraumatic stress disorder can render veterans at increased risk for negative health consequences and then present veterans’ perspectives as they outline several innovative solutions to these obstacles. We conclude by discussing several overdose prevention efforts currently underway and how they might be adapted to meet the opioid and substance misuse challenges veterans face.

RÉSUMÉ

Cet article décrit les risques de surdose des anciens combattants et des vulnérabilités spécifiques à travers une analyse des données qualitatives recueillies auprès d'un échantillon de séparés récemment, anciennement OEF-enrôlés/OIF anciens combattants dans la région de New York. Nous illustrons comment les défis au processus de réajustement civile comme l'itinérance, le chômage et le SSPT peut rendre vétérans à risque accru de conséquences négatives sur la santé, puis les perspectives anciens combattants présents », comme ils décrivent plusieurs des solutions innovantes à ces obstacles. Nous concluons en discutant des efforts de prévention des surdoses en cours et la manière dont elles pourraient être adaptées pour répondre à la mauvaise utilisation des opioïdes et la substance défis vétérans visage.

RESUMEN

Este artículo describe los riesgos de sobredosis de veteranos y vulnerabilidades específicas a través de un análisis de datos cualitativos recogidos a partir de una muestra de recién separados, anteriormente enlistados-OEF/OIF veteranos en el área de la ciudad de Nueva York. Nos ilustran cómo los desafíos en el proceso de reajuste civil tales como la falta de vivienda, el desempleo y el TEPT puede rendir a los veteranos en mayor riesgo de consecuencias negativas de salud y, presentar las perspectivas actuales de los veteranos, ya que esbozan varias soluciones innovadoras a estos obstáculos. También se discute varios esfuerzos de prevención de sobredosis en curso y cómo podrían adaptarse para satisfacer los desafíos que enfrentan los veteranos, tales como el uso indebido de opiáceos y la sustancia.

Keywords :

• veterans
• military personnel
• opioids
• overdose
• overdose prevention
• substance use/misuse
• pain management
• alcohol
• mental health
• reintegration

Notes

1 The reader is asked to consider that concepts and processes such as “risk,” “vulnerability,” and “protective” factors are often noted in the literature, without adequately delineating their dimensions (linear, nonlinear, rates of development, sustainability and cessation, exposure time, etc.), their “demands,” the critical necessary conditions (endogenously as well as exogenously; micro to macro levels) which are necessary for them to operate (begin, continue, become anchored and integrate, change as de facto realities change, cease, etc.) or not to operate. The reader is also asked to consider whether their underpinnings are theory-driven, empirically based, individual and/or systemic stake holder-bound, historically bound, based upon “principles of faith,” intuitive-driven, or what. This is necessary to clarify, if possible, if these terms are not to remain as yet additional shibboleths in a field of many stereotypes. Editor's note.