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Using other drugs while in long-term opioid treatment can be deadly

VA Research News Briefs

Using other drugs while in long-term opioid treatment can be deadlyPhoto: ©iStock/DNY59

(05/29/2025) San Francisco VA researchers reported one in four Veterans receiving long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) exhibit risky alcohol use, test positive for other substances, or have a documented substance use disorder. LTOT is the prescription of opioids for pain for more than three months. In a sample of more than 167,000 Veterans in LTOT, the most common substance use disorder was alcohol (10%), followed by sedatives (8%), cannabis (7%), and stimulants (less than 1%). The researchers found all-cause mortality rates were highest for Veterans on LTOT who also used cannabis, sedatives, or stimulants, with a three-times higher risk of fatal overdose in Veterans taking stimulants. The findings highlight the need for comprehensive screenings and targeted interventions for Veterans receiving LTOT care. (Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, May 19, 2025)



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