Substance Abuse Among Veterans Research Paper

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.

The VA runs the largest substance use disorder treatment program in the world. Treatment of veterans with SUDs and co-occurring psychiatric disorders is one of the following three paradigms; parallel, sequential, and integrated. Most VA programs are parallel, where the patient receives treatment for SUD in one program and treatment for PTSD in another. Many SUD-PTSD veterans may be unable to navigate the separate systems or make sense of the disparate messages about PTSD treatment and recovery. One challenge to dissemination and implementation of EBTs is that of dual disorders, particularly SUD and PTSD. These patients use costly inpatient services, tend to have frequent relapses, and are less likely to adhere to or complete treatment.

Rates of trauma and mental illness are reported to be disproportionately higher among American veterans, especially those of the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The barriers to care after civilian reentry further disadvantage this already vulnerable population. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been the longest sustained US military operations since the Vietnam era, sending more than 2.2 million troops into battle and resulting in more than 6,600 deaths and 48,000 injuries. Veterans are at risk mental health challenges, as well as family instability, elevated rates of homelessness, and joblessness. Veterans have disproportionate rates of mental illness, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, and military sexual trauma.

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

“The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is home to the United States’ largest integrated health care system” (Mason e.t. al 2016). Because of technological and medical advancement, surviving injuries from war has lead to a greater need for post deployment and discharge care. I often hear the phrase “Freedom is not free”; the mental health of our active duty soldiers and veterans is one area that ends up costing America. Some lose time with their families, some are injured physically and mentally, and some lose their lives.

99). Similarly, both articles mentioned PTSD symptoms as being a barrier overlapping with depression. Baker, Kilmer, Lemmer, Goldsmith, and Pittman (2012) provided more in-depth information that focused primarily on PTSD and depression as to where Connor et.al (2013) looked into more barriers other than the overlapping symptoms as being reasons for barriers for treatment in combat veterans.  Baker et. al (2012) examined 2 significant mental  health issues including PTSD and depression in OEF/OIF combat veterans in their entire research study.  These researchers found that health related quality of life (HRQoL) is highly affected in both disorders. Although the study used a clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) as well as standardized and structured interviews conducting to the DSM-5 criteria, the fact alone remains that the overlapping symptoms could be difficult for veterans to understand. The participants in this study consisted of 200 OEF/OIF veterans who completed an interview as well as self-report questionnaires. The sample included 95% men, 45% active duty, 55% veteran; ages 19-52, median 27%; 77% non-Hispanic/Latino, and 80% white. The findings revealed that PTSD and depression have overlapping symptoms as anhedonia, concentration, and insomnia. In conclusion, the results from the

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

The U.S. military produces some of the bravest most heroic men and women on earth. From the moment the oath of enlistment is made to the time of separation or retirement, these courageous souls endure a number of amazing, historic and sometimes unbelievable events. They are praise for their service and lift even higher for their sacrifice, although most are unaware of the true sacrifices are made by some of these men and women. The most visible sacrifices or “outer sacrifices” are loss of life or loss of limbs while the inner wounds are bouts with depression, sexual assault, divorce, and most common alcohol other drug abuse.

Each of these veterans carry the physical and emotional scars of war. Most of these veterans have some form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or some level of Psychophysiological Pain. The current Veterans Affairs (VA) system is limited to treating these symptoms with opioids or moderately effective mental therapy. 34 Much of the opioid use leads to addiction, overdose, or even suicide. 35 Many veterans that have begun using marijuana, under the threat of losing all of their VA benefits, have reported marijuana is a much more effective, and less addictive, treatment in coping with nightmares, flashbacks, depression, and pain. 36 According to the VA approximately 31% of Vietnam Veterans, 10% of Gulf War Veterans, 11% of Afghan War Veterans, and 21% of Iraq War Veterans suffer from PTSD. 37 According to other reports, some 22 veterans commit suicide per day due to PTSD or pain. 38

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

Many veterans are unable to leave behind the trauma of Vietnam and psychologically return home. They struggle with a variety of extremely severe problems that neither they nor their families, friends, or communities knew how to understand

Over the last decade, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have drastically increased the need for effective mental health services and treatment for U.S. veterans and service members, especially those suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nearly 1.5 million American service members have been deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) since the attack on the Twin Towers in September 2001 (Price, Gros, Strachan, Ruggiero, & Acierno, 2013). Approximately 25% of soldiers and wounded warriors returning home from OEF/OIF present with mental illness due to combat-related violence and other trauma exposure (Steinberg & Eisner, 2015). According to Price and colleagues (2013), OEF/OIF soldiers and veterans are at greater risk for developing mental illness compared to others who served in past military operations.

This disorder leads the veterans to substance abuse to calm their nerves and help them feel more at ease. The substance abuse, in turn, leads the veterans to be more hostile, aggressive, and violent to those people around them, especially their families. A study found in The American Journal of Psychiatry revealed, "Increases in alcohol and substance abuse closely paralleled the increase in PTSD symptoms seen in the period during and immediately after the war. Patients reported that alcohol, heroin, marijuana, opiates, and benzodiazepines (but not cocaine) were beneficial for their symptoms of