Military Substance Abuse

The military has a zero tolerance policy for alcohol and drug abuse. However, drug and alcohol abuse is fairly common among returning veterans. Illicit drug use is lower among veterans than the general population, but prescription drug abuse is growing among veterans. It is estimated that 11 percent of veterans abused prescription drugs in 2008.

Alcohol use and abuse is prevalent among members of the United States military as well as among the veteran population. Binge and heavy drinking is commonplace among the military and veterans. Veterans and members of the active duty military face a unique set of challenges when compared to the civilian population. There is a trend of combat exposure leading to a higher risk to abuse alcohol. For over a decade the United States military was involved in combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). This has lead to a generation of service men and women as well as veterans with a host of physical and mental injuries as a result multiple combat deployments. There are many veterans and active duty personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) as a result of their deployment in support of OIF and OEF. There is a link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and a higher potential for the abuse of alcohol. Veterans and members of the armed forces deal with a host of psychological injuries related to the stresses of combat which can lead to the abuse of alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Bennett, PhD; Hilary J. Liberty, Ph 2013 107). Prior research has evaluated the prevalence of MH concerns and opportunities for treatment at various points in the military/veteran career including post deployment, among those being treated at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, and in the general population) (Andrew Golub, PhD; Peter Vazan, PhD; Alexander S. Bennett, PhD; Hilary J. Liberty, Ph 2013 107). The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data indicate that a substantial portion of young veterans in the general population have substance use disorder (18%) or Serious Psychological Distress (SPD) (14%) (Andrew Golub, PhD; Peter Vazan, PhD; Alexander S. Bennett, PhD; Hilary J. Liberty, Ph 2013 111). All in all, the NSDUH proved to be an extremely valuable resource for this study, and indeed, the results of this analysis for unmet treatment needs have identified important directions for further research into reasons for not getting treatment, especially for SPD (Andrew Golub, PhD; Peter Vazan, PhD; Alexander S. Bennett, PhD; Hilary J. Liberty, Ph 2013 113). The Veterans Administration and National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) are taking steps in the right direction to help our veterans with their unmet needs with substance abuse and PTSD. Some examples of improvements are, better mental health evaluations before leaving active duty, more information about military service, and tracking trends among veterans in the general population, who are not necessarily in contact with the

service members who have been deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan have returned with an range of signs and symptoms that we are now calling post-deployment syndrome (PDS). Traumatic brain injury, combat stress, blast injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or post-concussive syndrome each fit into the variety of symptoms called PDS. Four hundred thousand previously healthy service men and women now live with PDS that, at times, causes them to be entirely disabled or to suffer so much that they even may take their own lives. This number may seem shocking, however PDS doesn’t just affect these service members, reservists, and veterans, but also their friends, family members, employers, communities, and even the very health care workers who are desperately trying to help them. Surprisingly, despite how common this condition is, it still remains puzzling to fully define and

The heroes that make up our armed forces often suffer from terrible experiences in battle, some of which severely impact their mental and physical health, including suffering from post traumatic stress disorder or PSTD. Unfortunately, this has caused many of them to turn to drugs, whether prescription or illicit, to treat these problems. In fact, recent statistics estimate that one in 10 soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq suffer from a substance abuse problem.

Soldiers wounded during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan often develop post-traumatic stress disorder and depression months after getting out of a hospital, instead of soon after suffering their injuries, a new study found. The earlier the syndrome is identified and treated, the better (Bernstein). Premature treatment is better because symptoms of PTSD may get worse. Dealing with them earlier aids in stopping the symptoms from worsening in the future. If the disorder progresses, an individual may fail to benefit from formal treatment or drop out of treatment early. Many soldiers tend to find it much simpler to self medicate with drugs or alcohol rather than using appropriate treatment. Unfortunately, use of alcohol and drugs can actually intensify symptoms of PTSD or depression over time. Increased substance use is also a potential risk factor for suicide. (Finnegan)

The mean age for the participants in the study was 45. The study also took in account the time of service from the veterans, 60% served in the 1970's, 18% in the 1960's, and 18% in the 1980's (Carlson, Gavert, Macia, Ruzek, & Burling, 2013). The study includes veterans that suffer from personality disorders as well as alcohol abuse. Participants within the study are a mixture of races and come from various backgrounds. Included in demographic questions is if the veteran is divorced or married, which may also be a factor in this study. Additionally military branch information and associated was

Treatment for co-ocurring disorders fall under the outpatient spectrum for addiction rehabilitation, however, it is an essential and successful form of treatment specifically for veterans. For many civilians who have not been to combat it is difficult to comprehend the toxic combination of pride, anger, duty, anguish and anxiety many veterans feel after their time in the service. Consequently, adjusting back to civilian life is a difficult task to accomplish; while some veterans sustain only minor physical and psychological wounds from combat, others aren’t as lucky. As mentioned above, for veterans, PTSD is considered a mental health condition caused by the traumatic events experienced in wartime. Thus often causing veterans to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. If left unaddressed, PTSD and substance abuse in veterans can be

Both PTSD and substance abuse in Veterans not only affects themselves, but it also affects their families and communities (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2017) states that there are 3.1 million immediate family members to the veterans in the United States (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017). These family members can potentially suffer from second-hand trauma symptoms (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017). The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S Department of Veteran’s Affairs both offer care that veterans and their families are eligible for, but a substantial number of veterans and their

Greetings, I am Dexter Bolding I recently earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Prior to this, I spent nearly two decades in the United States Marine Corps. In the Marines I had an opportunity to manage at different levels, which included the managing of a thirty-three Marine Aircraft Firefighting Section, managing a five man Marine Corps Recruiting Office, culminating in me spending the last seven years directing the Marine Corps Substance Abuse Program as the Substance Abuse Control Officer and Insructor aboard the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

They include headaches, stomach pain, sleep problems, and chronic pain. Soldiers often struggle with reliving the war by having disturbing nightmares and flashbacks. This causes the body to go into a cold sweat and have an increased heart rate (Collins 5). According to a US Department of Defense study, “the veterans with PTSD were 77% more likely to develop dementia as those without it when risk factors related to Alzheimer’s disease were included” (Boyles 1). The physical ailments of PTSD often lead the veteran to rely on alcohol and pain medicines for extended periods of time, which leads to a battle of addiction. The US Department of Defense reports the rate for veteran prescription drug misuse is 11.7 %. This is drastically higher than the civilian rate by two-and-a-half times. While many veterans have serious physical issues, this study documents the blatant misuse of prescription

Reserve and National Guard members, who report combat exposure, were more likely to experience new onset heavy drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol related problems, thereby greatly increasing their risk for suicidal behaviors (Frueh & Smith, 2012).

work. Over $700 billion is put forward towards the cost of substance abuse (Trends and Statistics, n.d.). Regarding the military, as of the 2013 report, which covered data from 2004 through 2011/2012, suicide rates among service members were at one time lower as compared to the civilian sector, however it noted that the suicide rates for military members began to spike 2004. In 2009, the data collected indicated that of the suicides committed, 29% of those involved alcohol or drug use, while one third of those prescription drug was involved (DrugFacts: Substance Abuse in the Military, n.d.). The numbers from theses trends were later followed up on during a USA Today investigation after the 2010 decision by the Army to place the Substance Abuse

PFC. Brown on the day of 21 October 2016, you were identified as missing a scheduled Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) appointment on the 12th of October. This is not the first time you have missed an ASAP appointment it is because of this I SGT Reyes, the Platoon Sergeant SSG Irving and yourself were summoned to the Command Sergeant Major office where you were notified that you he recommends UCMJ action. The provision of quality health (mental or physical) and dental care is an important mission. Achieving quality health care can be extremely challenging in today’s constrained resource environment. In the event of missed appointments; this action prevents maximum use of available resources, thereby seriously hindering the ability to provide

The negative outcomes of medication misuse influence people who ill-use medicates as well as their families and companions, different organizations, and government assets (Akindipe, Abiodun, Adebajo, Lawal, & Rataemane, 2014). Albeit huge numbers of these impacts can 't be evaluated, “Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as of late in 2002 reported that, the monetary expense of drug abuse within the United States was $180.9 billion” (Akindipe et al., 2014, Pg 250 Para 10). The