Why Veterans Struggle with Addiction and What You Can Do About It
Today’s Veterans struggle to overcome numerous complications, whether they remain in service or retire. Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that more than 1 in 10 Veterans meet the eligibility criteria for suffering from a substance use disorder (SUD). But why?
It is easy enough to say that those who have a SUD could stop. The reality is very far from that. SUDs are brought on by numerous potential causes and often a combination of factors. Veterans have a unique set of additional factors that contribute to the onset and struggle to overcome addiction.
Factors That Contribute to Veteran Addiction and Dependence
Almost any person can develop a dependence on substances with consistent or binge use. Yet, what makes Veterans different is that they often have multiple factors that contribute to the onset, making both diagnosis and treatment more challenging. This may include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Combat, being pulled away from family and friends, and other exposure to traumatic events often lead to the onset of PTSD. PTSD indicates that the brain has not processed and worked through the experience of a traumatic event. As a result, they may experience flashbacks, or very realistic re-experiences of the traumatic event, such as flashes of images in their mind.
A scent, sound, or person may bring on intense feelings of anxiety. This often creates intense fear, debilitating anxiety, and depression. To manage these symptoms, many Vets turn to substances. Those substances minimize the thoughts they experience or slow down the nervous system, reducing the intensity of anxiety.
Chronic Pain
Injuries sustained during service can be a direct factor in the development of a SUD. Chronic pain develops when nerve fibers fail to heal properly or joints suffer difficulty in movement and function. Vets often suffer intense chronic pain from the experiences they have, the limited care they receive, or due to continued exposure.
Chronic pain does not cause SUDs, but the use of medications like opioids to numb that pain can cause the onset of addiction. Some people may turn to other substances, such as alcohol, as a way to numb the pain they feel. Since the pain comes back when they stop using those substances, they often face the need to continue to turn to those substances, with an increasing need to use more to continue to see relief.
Military Culture and SUDs
Military culture is a critical factor not to ignore. Though there are increasingly more opportunities for better understanding of mental and physical health in Veterans, military culture can get in the way of actually seeking help.
In some areas, this culture normalizes substance use. It is expected and even considered “normal” to engage in drinking with friends or use substances to manage anxiety. This can lead to the desire to continue to use.
Mental Health Disorders
Other mental health disorders can also contribute to the development and worsening of SUDs. A Vet who lost their loved one in action can easily suffer depression. Severe anxiety may develop as a response to intensely stressful situations that go unchecked on a repeated basis.
Mental health disorders can be seen as a type of negative stigma for many Veterans. Being “tough” may seem to indicate that suffering from depression or anxiety makes you less of a Veteran. This type of stigma, coupled with the ongoing limitations of receiving effective mental health disorder treatment, puts many veterans at risk.
Consider the Impact That Substance Use Has on Veterans
Another critical way to consider substance use disorder is what it does to a Veteran’s life. Beyond a doubt, a person with an SUD will face challenges such as:
- High risk of overdose, especially as tolerance develops and a person needs to use more to get the same results
- Challenges with health, including the development of conditions such as lung, liver, kidney, and heart disease
- Financial strain from being unable to meet financial needs due to continued purchases of substances
- Lack of focus on responsibilities is impacting their family’s quality of life
- Challenges in maintaining relationships often create difficult situations where a person may not feel they can remain or navigate challenges without guidance
These are some of the numerous ways in which Veterans continue to struggle with addiction. There is no cure for addiction. There are numerous ways, though, that your Veteran can get help.
Let Our Team at Victory Help You
Victory Addiction Recovery Center knows addiction is a damaging, critical disease, one that impacts the quality of life for those who have already given so much. Our tactical recovery program creates an avenue for getting support and treatment. Turn to Victory Addiction Recovery Center now for the hands-on support you need.