Researchers at RI Hospital Discover Trend Among Veterans Fatally Overdosing
GoLocalProv Health Team
Researchers at RI Hospital Discover Trend Among Veterans Fatally Overdosing
Researchers discovered that nearly half of RI veterans who died from drug overdoses while being prescribed opioids for pain were being prescribed benzodiazepines, or benzos, simultaneously.
These drugs are commonly prescribed to help with anxiety, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal.
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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) serves nearly nine million veterans across 150 hospitals and 800 outpatient centers.
This study opened the medical records of veterans who passed due to drug overdoses while receiving medical services as outpatients at the VHA during the period of October 2004 to September 2009 to investigate the relationship between the opioids and benzodiazepines when prescribed concurrently.
Breakdown of Overdose Deaths in RI - 2009 to 2014
2009
Total overdose deaths: 137
Both illicit and pharmaceutical drugs: 22
Pharmaceutical drugs only: 84
Illicit drugs only: 31
2010
Total overdose deaths: 152
Both illicit and pharmaceutical drugs: 36
Pharmaceutical drugs only: 82
Illicit drugs only: 24
2011
Total overdose deaths: 175
Both illicit and pharmaceutical drugs: 41
Pharmaceutical drugs only: 93
Illicit drugs only: 41
2012
Total overdose deaths: 182
Both illicit and pharmaceutical drugs: 34
Pharmaceutical drugs only: 85
Illicit drugs only: 63
2013 (First Half)
Total overdose deaths: 118*
Both illicit and pharmaceutical drugs: 23
Pharmaceutical drugs only: 40
Illicit drugs only: 55
*Data only available for first half of 2013
2014
Total overdose deaths:
Both illicit and pharmaceutical drugs:
Pharmaceutical drugs only:
Illicit drugs only:
