Health

VA Study Links Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescriptions to Higher Death Risk in Veterans

Updated
Feb 7, 2025 5:50 AM
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A recent study commissioned by Congress and carried out by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has shown that veterans who are prescribed both opioids and benzodiazepines by VA doctors are at a heightened risk of death.

The research examined health records from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spanning from 2007 to 2019, assessing the impact of these co-prescribed medications on overall mortality, including instances of suicide. The findings underscore persistent worries regarding the risks associated with the combination of opioids, typically prescribed for pain relief, and benzodiazepines, often utilized for anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia.

Health experts, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), caution that combining opioids with central nervous system depressants—such as benzodiazepines, alcohol, or xylazine—can lead to sedation, respiratory suppression, and overdose.

Dr. Brian Strom, chair of the committee behind the report, stated: "It is well understood that opiates can suppress breathing." Benzodiazepines, when used alongside opioids, can amplify that effect. Nonetheless, he pointed out that the study does not establish respiratory suppression as the only factor contributing to the rise in mortality.

The VA has yet to provide a response to the findings, although there have been changes to prescribing guidelines in recent years. New restrictions on opioids and black box warnings for benzodiazepines have been put in place to tackle safety issues.

Even with these updates, the study highlights the ongoing risks linked to these medications, especially for veterans who might already face vulnerabilities related to substance use and mental health issues.

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