WASHINGTON, November 7, 2023 - Opioid overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Opioids—such as fentanyl, heroin, morphine and oxycodone—contributed to an estimated 80,000 deaths last year across the country.
For people who develop an addiction to opioids, it is often difficult to seek help and stay in treatment. VA provides a wide range of addiction treatment options, including using telehealth to help Veterans access and remain in the care they need.
Using telehealth to treat opioid use disorder
Opioid use disorder (OUD) is the clinical term for an opioid addiction. OUD treatment can require regular visits to clinics to receive medications like buprenorphine, which can save Veteran lives. However, the frequent visits to a clinic can sometimes make it hard for Veterans to start and stay in treatment.
VA telehealth is making it easier for Veterans to access critical, potentially life-saving OUD treatment. Since before the pandemic, some VA facilities had already started offering telehealth treatment for OUD. During the pandemic, the number of VA providers prescribing buprenorphine in a video or phone telehealth visit increased substantially. Buprenorphine reduces cravings for opioids, helps to prevent overdose and supports Veterans in their recovery.
VA telehealth helps Veterans overcome barriers
VA’s remote treatment options can decrease the stress and burden that prevent some Veterans from seeking care for OUD. For one thing, Veterans can receive care via video or sometimes over the phone, which doesn’t require any special equipment or technical knowledge.
Also, telehealth resources can be accessed from anywhere. That means Veterans don’t have to worry about going to a VA facility to receive in-person care, and it makes it easier to fit treatment in with other important things like work and family. Additionally, remote care removes transportation issues. That can be a huge help to Veterans who live in rural areas or don’t have access to a car.
Providing flexible options for Veterans
Dr. Allison Lin is an addiction psychiatrist at Ann Arbor VA in Michigan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lin conducted a national study on how VA telehealth helped Veterans get and stay in treatment for OUD.
She said that Veterans want several care options so they can stay in treatment longer and more consistently. In-person, video and phone appointments are all helpful. When some restrictions on remote care were relaxed during the pandemic, it became clear that telehealth visits were very important to Veterans with OUD. This includes Veterans who are particularly underserved, such as Veterans with housing instability or those experiencing multiple mental health and medical issues.
“Telehealth really helped a very complex patient population stay on a lifesaving treatment,” Lin said.
Learn more about VA substance use disorder treatment options and VA Telehealth Services.