Opioid Use Initiation, Progression, and Motivations Among OEF/OIF/OND-Era Veterans in New York City: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis

ABSTRACT

This study examines the temporal relationship between prescription opioid (PO) and heroin use among veterans in New York City. Drawing on survey data from a convenience sample of 214 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND)-era opioid-using military veterans, analyses demonstrate substantial cohort-level variation. Most notably, heroin use prior to PO initiation and prior to military enlistment was reported more frequently among the cohorts born prior to 1970 and after 1984. Across all cohorts, high percentages of participants reported alleviation of emotional/psychological pain as a reason for both PO and heroin use. Cohort-level variation highlights the need for tailored interventions and targeted prevention efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Veterans
• drugs
• illicit drug abuse
• prescription drug misuse/abuse
• health advocacy

Funding

This study was made possible by the generous support of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Drug Abuse (5R01DA036754).