VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Experts believe the precipitous rise was driven by abuse of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left many drug users feeling isolated and unable to get treatment or other support. Fentanyl is believed to be much more potent than heroin and morphine.

The research team included investigators from the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, and several other research institutions, including Yale University.

Huang and Dr. Alex Chan, a postdoctoral research fellow at VA Palo Alto, are studying the effects of nicotine, a highly addictive tobacco stimulant normally inhaled with cigarettes, on therapeutic stem cells.

A recent study found that non-drug therapies given to service members with chronic pain may reduce the risk of long-term adverse outcomes, such as alcohol and drug disorder or suicide attempts.

A VA study found that some Women Veterans had developed unhealthy eating habits such as binging, eating quickly, stress eating and extreme dieting. Often, those habits carried over into civilian life.

Clinical geropsychologist Dr. Christine Gould is a researcher with the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. She is currently studying the effectiveness of a relaxation program for older Veterans with anxiety, and the best ways to deliver it.

The operating status of VA facilities remains fluid at this time as services and closures can change throughout the day.

Jack Faust, a WWI vet among many other things, announced his plans to take part in the Golden Age Games in Honolulu on his 100th birthday celebrations.