The Opioid Crisis

What is the biggest crisis facing Americans today? It is the Opioid crisis that we are facing. I’m, sure many of you are disagreeing with this as we are facing unprecedented times in our American politics. Biden or Trump? To me, it choosing a different side of the same coin, but I digress.

Most understand Opioids to include illegal drugs such as heroin, synthetic Opioids such as fentanyl and pain relievers available by prescription such as Oxycontin and Vicodin. This understanding is sufficient to for the purpose of this blog. The most alarming point is that the availability of heroin and Oxycontin is now here more than ever.

One segment of the population that is encountering increasing difficulty with Opioid addiction is the Veterans, especially the ones that have served in the Gulf Wars. Most Veterans have a significant adjustment period when they come back from overseas; this is to be expected. During this adjustment period, most of them have suffered from PTSD, Insomnia and other mental/emotional issues.

The ones who have a solid support network of family and friends are, obviously, more apt to adjust better from their feelings of isolation and unemployment. However, even they are not completely absolved from suffering with these psychological disorders. Some studies have pointed out that Veterans are twice as likely to die from an accidental Opioid overdose compared to the general population.

As mentioned, PTSD and Insomnia are the two biggest emotional issues returning Veterans have. Actually, I take great pride in treating Veterans and I can tell you that PTSD, along with pain management, is the most common illness I treat with them. The fact that many of these Veterans start to open up about their wartime experiences is the most fascinating aspect of treating them. The stories I have heard would enthrall you.

What I’m most pleased to comment on is that the treatments I administer, especially the NADA protocol, have been extremely effective in treating their PTSD and Insomnia.