Members of the armed forces have a unique culture, which offers added risks and protective factors related to substance use disorder. The stress of deployments, combat exposure, the stigma associated with getting caught, and the fear of random drug testing create a different dynamic among service members who are struggling with substances.
At Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, our Tactical Recovery program specializes in treating Veterans with substance use disorders by providing personalized care that recognizes the impact that military service can have on a service member and their family, even years after discharge.
Deployment is Linked to Unhealthy Choices
There are several concerning behavioral health trends associated with being deployed. These include increases in smoking, alcohol use, drug use, and risky behaviors.
Challenges Around Getting Help
People who are still engaged in military service have numerous reasons for not reaching out to get help when they are struggling with mental health or substance use, such as:
- Zero-tolerance policies leading to severe consequences
- Lack of confidentiality when seeking help
- Worries that admitting to struggles will adversely impact their military career
- A culture that promotes drinking as a way for service members to connect with each other and de-stress
Long-Term Results
While illicit drug use, misuse of prescription drugs, and smoking have decreased in recent years, there is still cause for concern, particularly once a service member discharges from service. Some of the protective influences, such as random drug testing and the desire to avoid dishonorable discharge, go away once a member of the armed forces separates from the military. Meanwhile, they are left to adjust to civilian life, while potentially struggling with chronic pain, mental illness, suicide risk, trauma, and homelessness.
Studies have found that young, male Veterans are at particularly high risk of having substance use disorders (SUDs) when compared to their civilian counterparts. Recovery from SUD can be especially difficult to manage when combined with the challenges above.
Common Trends
Between 37-50 percent of Afghanistan and Iraq War Veterans are believed to suffer from a mental health disorder. This can increase their risk for developing substance use disorders, as they may self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to cope with PTSD, depression, or anxiety, all of which are more common in Veterans than the general population. Substance use can also lead to additional mental health conditions.
Illicit drug use tends to increase when service members discharge, with marijuana being the most commonly used substance. Heroin and cocaine are also frequently used by Veterans who seek treatment. Chronic pain can result in Veterans being prescribed opioid pain relievers, which are highly addictive and may lead to illicit opioid use. While active duty service members are using fewer opioid pain relievers and sedatives than in the past, there are still concerns about Veterans misusing and overusing these drugs. This also places them at higher risk for overdose.
Far more common than illicit drug use, however, is problematic alcohol use. This is common both during active duty and following discharge. Around 5.4 percent of active military personnel are considered heavy drinkers, and around 30 percent of active duty personnel engage in binge drinking. Veterans were even more likely to engage in heavy drinking.
Suicide Risk
Active duty personnel and Veterans are at increased risk for suicide attempts and deaths. When statistics adjust for age and gender, Veterans are 1.5 times more likely than non-veterans to die by suicide. Substance use and mental illness are highly correlated with suicide, with Veterans on high dosages of opioid pain relievers particularly likely to die by suicide. There are a number of things that can be done to reduce suicide risk among Veterans, for example:
- Increasing access to treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders
- Decreasing stigma for getting help
- Reducing homelessness among Veterans
The Good News
While military service carries additional risks related to substance abuse and mental illness, it also provides some unique opportunities related to recovery. Studies have found that unit cohesion can be important in modeling healthy coping and problem-solving skills and providing a support network and resources to members who need help with their behavioral health. When warning signs for substance misuse are detected early, proper treatment can address the issue before it creates serious problems.
Safe Harbor Recovery Center is proud to be PsychArmor certified as a Veteran-ready healthcare organization. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of mental health and substance use treatment to those who have served in our nation’s military.