Drug and Alcohol Abuse in the Veteran Community

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is the leading cause among veterans of war for substance abuse problems.

Alcohol, prescription pain medications, and use of nicotine are the top substances abused. Binge drinking and over use of medications may be used as self-medication to combat bad memories.

The general statistics according to studies are as follows:

More than 2 out of 10 veterans with PTSD also have substance abuse problems.

War veterans with PTSD and alcohol problems tend to binge drink.

Roughly 1 out of 3 veterans that seek treatment for substance abuse also have PTSD.

The number of veterans that smoke nicotine is double for those with a diagnosis of PTSD. One out of ten soldiers that have returned from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have a problem with drugs or alcohol.

Since the military imposes a zero tolerance policy for illicit drug use, little information exists because it is a crime.

If illicit drug use is detected and found, it means a dishonorable discharge. For these reasons, the amount of illegal drug use reported remains lower than that of civilians. According to a survey by the Department of Defense, 2.2 percent of military personnel were illicit drug users, as compared to 17.2 percent among civilians. The zero tolerance policy may have curbed illicit drug use and reporting, but this may also be the reason why alcohol and prescription drug abuse is on the rise.

VA clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers are deeply committed to supplying all of the care needed for veterans of war to help them heal and return to the mainstream of life. Catching a substance abuse disorder as soon as possible can spare years of agony for our soldiers.

Although the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs supports those that gave some years to the military, there are many that abuse the system, costing our government hundreds of thousands of dollars. These are the individuals that served a few years in the Marines, Army, Air Force, or Navy that have substance addictions that had nothing to do with serving in the military. There are also those that never even served in a war that use and abuse the system by going out and doing drugs knowing that they can return to a VA hospital and rehab center whenever they want to because they put in a few years.

I personally know a few people that struggle with drug addiction problems that served a few years in the military during times of peace.

They never fought in a war. They do not suffer from PTSD. Their addiction had nothing to do with being a soldier, yet they go in and out of VA hospitals, rehabs, and housing for years due to their addiction. One individual has gone to all of the VA hospitals and drug treatment centers in three different states. It is honorable that the U.S. regards its soldiers highly and takes care of them medically for the rest of their lives, yet a better system should be put in place for those that were not veterans of war and continually return for addiction problems. It is unfair to our country to keep supporting those that continually abuse the system, and it is unfair to those with addiction problems, too. If an addict knows in the back of their mind that no matter what they do, they will always be supported by the government, that they can return as many times as they want for the same problem that was not caused by war combat, what incentive do they have to stay clean? How is this financial burden helping those that do return from war? Is it fair that individuals with addiction problems that had nothing to do with serving in the armed forces return over and over again to the VA centers taking up beds or rooms in housing that a war veteran may need?

For the troops that do serve in combat, the experience can cause numerous mental and emotional issues.

For those that serve our country in times of war, we should be forever grateful and provide them with all of the medical, emotional, and psychological support necessary so that they can go on to live healthy lives when they return to the states. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has come a long way since the Vietnam War in supporting our soldiers. Thank you to those who served our country and do not abuse the system. If you are struggling with PTSD and/or substance abuse, help is just a phone call away.

If you or a loved one believes you may be developing a habit, get help now. Contact our alcohol detox treatment centers in Atlanta at (877) 958-0778.

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