Yet Another Statistic

Another day, another veteran death on record. What is wrong with this picture? So the VA can add this to the list of those veterans who take too many prescribed drugs. Just another statistic to them. What do they do when vets need help on their road to recovery? I wrote about it in my previous blog. They give them counseling and classes and support, along with filling them with prescription drugs.

It is not only the VA. It is the modern medical answer to everyone for every ailment....drugs for this and drugs for that. Drugs seem to be the answer. Not that meds cannot help. They do help some with issues. But for many, more is not the only answer. Quick fixes, instant cures......what have we become in this world of healing?

He was a teacher, a trainer, a friend. He was loving, caring and helpful to others, but he could not help himself. He was afflicted with PTSD, addictions to drugs, anxiety, sleep deprivation, migraines and brain trauma. His pain increased, along with the meds. He lived alone, with minimal monitoring of his numerous drugs. We watched his decline and did what we could, but it was not enough. His world closed in around him, shutting him off from those who cared for him. How could anyone understand that world of extremes.....extremes of pain, isolation and loneliness.

Some of us believed that we, his clients and friends, helped him by following his example and training. He told us that we inspired him. Maybe we did, but, in the end, it was not enough. It was just not enough.....

He shared with me that the counseling he received from the VA became less frequent.  There had been cut backs on personnel. But the prescribed drugs increased. The correlation was skewed. I remember encouraging him to get back to the doctor. He felt that the doctor was not as available as before. He had seen him on a weekly basis previously but those appointments became farther apart. The drugs seemed to be messing him up. Changes to his drugs, along with regular support, seemed to be in order, especially for someone who lived alone. His nights were the hardest. Sleep became almost impossible.

His death certificate states "suicide" as the cause of death. Age 42.

We cannot accept that word that marks his end. Yes, he overdosed on his prescription drugs. He took far too many, but he had far too much pain. Who can judge as to how many of us with so many burdens would not take more and more of doctor prescribed pain relievers to bring relief to our exhausted bodies and minds?

Ah, blessed relief! He has found it at last.