It can sometimes take months for veterans to get treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs for drug and alcohol abuse, veterans advocates told Congress Tuesday, as Military Times reported.
“Many veterans are trying to access care, but instead receiving delays,” said Jen Silva, chief program officer at Wounded Warrior Project. “Not finding appropriate care in a timely manner not only fails to capitalize on veterans’ desire to change their life circumstances, but in some cases causes further damage to their mental and physical health.”
VA officials said they are trying to speed up response times and available beds at VA substance abuse centers, with a goal of hiring 1,100 new treatment specialists this fiscal year. Current guidelines say that if a patient can’t get treatment for substance abuse in 30 days, VA must provide “alternative treatment,” which may include going to a farther-away facility or getting private sector care.
“Our country has been experiencing a substance abuse and overdose epidemic, and our nation’s veterans are not immune,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), who chairs the subcommittee on veterans health. “One death from substance use disorder is too many, and it is a somber reality that many lives are taken by this treatable mental disorder.”
Marine Corps photo by Christine Cabalo
