WASHINGTON — A new Navy Medicine public service announcement depicts a sailor snorting white powder, suffering disturbing hallucinations, then becoming violent. He eventually ends up in the hospital where he appears to have a seizure while medical personnel are trying to help him.

MADISON, WI — At age 21, Jeffrey Unger said he already had a clear vision of what would become one of his lifelong goals — to help returning veterans get the care they needed.

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA — The Air Force had good timing for its survey of energy drink consumption within the service: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released a new report showing a doubling of energy drink-related emergency department (ED) visits between 2007 and 2011.

SAN DIEGO — Meningococcal disease among U.S. military personnel plummeted by more than 90% from 1971 to 2010 because of the introduction of three successive vaccines during the time period.

SAN DIEGO — Trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) and live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) were similarly effective in preventing influenza, influenza-like illness and pneumonia in active duty U.S. servicemembers, according to a new study.

SEATTLE — Buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP) and methadone (MET) are effective in treatment of opioid dependence, but some concerns have been raised about a link between the use of BUP and drug-induced hepatitis.

SAN FRANCISCO — Telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and education (EDU) were helpful in management of chronic pain in older military veterans, according to a new study which calls for further study of the interventions for the rural-living elderly with chronic pain.

WASHINGTON — The DoD’s lack of a formal policy for transitioning medication management means some servicemembers fall through the cracks when moving to the VA, especially when they are prescribed pain or psychiatric drugs, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.

WASHINGTON — For servicemembers and veterans suffering from PTSD, support is as close as their smartphone.  Thanks to a free mobile application known as PE Coach, available on Apple and Android devices, it is now possible for military and veteran patients to use their phones as a tool to support their Prolonged Exposure sessions.

Flu Immunization Milestone Reached Ahead of Schedule
FALLS CHURCH, VA — An unusually early start to the influenza season propelled the DoD to reach its milestone of 90% vaccination of all uniformed personnel and required civilians two weeks ahead of schedule.