In the field of substance use and addiction, it has long been researched and found that individuals who have served in the armed forces (known as veterans) are more likely to struggle with the disorder.
Categorised by the continuous and persisting search for the substance that the individual has developed an addiction to, a substance use disorder (SUD – also known as an addiction) is a dangerous mental health disorder.
Causing harm to both an individual’s physical and mental health, an addiction is a disorder that should be treated as soon as possible, as this avoids future complications and any further long-term health issues.
This web page will cover addiction rehabilitation, as well as how this may be specialised for someone who can be described as a veteran, with description of the unique challenges that these individuals may face.
Below, we discuss the link between substance abuse and being a veteran:
In stressful situations, as well as in the aftermath of these, many individuals may turn to substance use as a way of coping with any negative effects that they may experience.
This can be both physical and mental health effects and, for a veteran, this can be considered to be more frequent, due to the high-pressure situations and decisions that these individuals face or have faced when in service.
For example, if an individual sustains an injury during their time in the armed services, then they may be prescribed strong medication as a treatment. In the US, this is a known issue as the individuals continue to consume the substances (often highly addictive opioids) for long periods of time without further care, often leading to an addiction.
One US study highlighted the high prevalence of substance misuse within the veteran population – most of them young veterans – and with a high prevalence of prescription substance addictions, alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and smoking (1).
Though not as common in recent years, it used to be a highly stigmatised practise that new recruits in the armed forces would often be forced to consume large quantities of alcohol or other substances as a ‘rite of passage’.
However, over time, and if the individual has a past history of alcohol misuse, they may develop an addiction and continue to seek out alcohol, even if they are not in the presence of those who may have originally encouraged them.
Again, this is not as commonly occurring as it may have been in the past, and other reasons for developing an addiction are rising in popularity.
As a serious mental health condition, PTSD is often triggered by experiencing life-threatening or frightening life events – often triggered in combat for veterans, for example.
One study found that PTSD was more common among veterans who had served in the warzone in Vietnam compared to those who had not served in the warzone (2).
Linking to the points mentioned above, an individual struggling with PTSD may turn to substances as a way to manage their symptoms, many of which can cause serious psychological harm including severe anxiety, flashbacks, and difficulties sleeping (insomnia).
If a veteran recognises that they are struggling with an addiction, then it is vital that they seek help as soon as they are able to.
Many individuals often struggle with denial when it comes to addiction, but the first step to receiving help is to admit that one needs help. This is no easy task, but all individuals who enter care accepting that they are struggling make far more efficient and effective progress within the rehabilitation process itself.
The following subheadings outline some of the best sources of seeking support for veteran rehabilitation services.
For most cases of addiction, veteran or not, the most commonly recommended form of rehabilitation is through a residential rehabilitation centre.
With the additional issues that veterans may struggle with when it comes to recovery, residential rehabilitation provides the best environment in which these individuals can make an effective recovery.
These dedicated centres are the most recommended as they offer 24/7 care, professional and highly trained staff, specialised facilities, and a large number of treatment programmes to suit each and every individual case.
These centres are often contacted directly, or an individual can be referred to a rehab centre through an addiction referral service such as the one offered through Rehab 4 Addiction.
For some individuals, the best way to start their rehabilitation journey as a veteran is to contact their local health services.
Through these services, individuals will be able to access set programmes of care that may be suitable for them.
Though the individual may be able to access specific treatments such as therapy, these programmes are not as highly specialised as those through a centre may be. However, these local health services are often able to act as a referral service also, guiding the individual to the most appropriate services for them and their needs.
As another example, veterans are highly supported through charities and other non-profit organisations that are set up to provide aid and advice to veterans and their families through a range of issues.
Substance abuse is rooted deeply in mental health – something which many of these charities are very focussed on providing suitable care for.
Examples of long-serving veteran-based charities include Veterans First Point (3) and WithYou (4) – both of which support mental health and the latter of which offers dedicated drug and alcohol support services.
The process of rehabilitation is one that follows a general set of stages. Individuals entering drug or alcohol rehab for veterans without referral from specialised addiction services and/or medical professionals should ensure that these stages are followed.
Generally, there are three key stages:
The following subheadings outline the key features of these three stages, categorised into physical and mental health:
Generally, the majority of an individual’s physical health will be treated during the withdrawal stage. This is where the individual stops consumption of the substance that they are addicted to – slowly and over time in most cases – and manages the withdrawal effects.
Depending on the substance to which the veteran is addicted to, they may be treated by slowly withdrawing over time and supplementing this withdrawal with medical interventions.
With many opioid addictions – heroin, for example – this medical intervention includes the prescription of another opioid such as buprenorphine or methadone to reduce the negative impact on the body.
However, it is important to note that these interventions are always fully supervised, as these substances can also be addictive (though not relative to the original addictive substance) and therefore can require their own separate withdrawal process at a later date.
In a small number of cases and concerning fewer substances such a cannabis or mild cocaine addictions, individuals may be able to stop consuming the substance in one sudden change.
Although the withdrawal symptoms may be uncomfortable in some cases, they are not as life-threatening as substances such as alcohol or heroin.
Though an addiction is considered to be a mental health issue in on itself, it is also known to commonly occur with additional mental health issues. This can be even more true in cases of veterans struggling with addiction, too.
During rehabilitative treatment, however, it is therefore vital that individuals have all mental health issues diagnosed and treated, such as PTSD, not just the addiction itself.
Known as a dual diagnosis approach, this is another vital part of rehabilitation and is essential that individuals ensure that this is true of their rehabilitation provider and that it is a recognised approach across their facilities.
Rehab 4 Addiction is a long-standing addiction referral service, specialised in matching individuals to the most suitable form of rehabilitation and care for them.
Whether you are a veteran, struggling with addiction, or know someone who may be struggling, call our addiction support line on 0800 140 4690 to get free and confidential advice, as well as vital next steps to start your recovery journey today.
[1] Hoggatt, K.J., Lehavot, K., Krenek, M., Schweizer, C.A. and Simpson, T., 2017. Prevalence of substance misuse among US veterans in the general population. The American journal on addictions, 26(4), pp.357-365.
[2] McFall, M.E., Mackay, P.W. and Donovan, D.M., 1992. Combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and severity of substance abuse in Vietnam veterans. Journal of studies on alcohol, 53(4), pp.357-363.
[3] Veterans First Point; https://www.veteransfirstpoint.org.uk/
[4] WithYou; Drug and alcohol support; https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/what-we-do/drug-and-alcohol-services-for-adults
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
