There is a time for everything. Now is the time for the Department of Veterans Affairs to go opioid-free.

When I first began practicing medicine at the VA, it was common to “prescribe” alcoholic beverages to veterans. Many VA hospitals even listed whiskey, wine, and beer on their formularies to make patients “more comfortable.” Although benzodiazepines were the recognized standard of care for alcohol withdrawal, some veterans preferred alcohol, and the VA accommodated them.

A 2006 survey revealed this practice persisted at many VA Medical Centers until it was finally prohibited around 2010.

We knew that alcohol-related illnesses were widespread among veterans. The National Health and Resilience Veterans Study, found 40.8 percent of U.S. veterans report lifetime Alcohol Use Disorder, and 10.5 percent meet criteria within the past year. Nationwide, alcohol-related disorders account for more than $250 billion in medical costs annually — with the VA’s share estimated at over $10 billion.

Years later, when I was leading the VA healthcare system, I discovered the VA still had no ban on smoking at its facilities. In........

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