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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Veterans

Veterans frequently face a range of challenges as they readjust to civilian life after separation from the military. Substance use, mental health disorders, service-related injuries, and chronic pain are common among veterans.1 Veterans are at greater risk of developing substance use disorders (SUDs).1 Veterans are also more likely to be diagnosed with co-occurring mental health disorders, which is when a SUD occurs alongside another mental health disorder, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).1 Rehab facilities often have programs that are tailored to treat the unique needs of veterans.

Veterans and Substance Abuse

Nearly one-third of active-duty military personnel report binge drinking and even more show signs of dangerous drinking or potential alcohol use disorders (AUDs).1 Substance use commonly increases after separating from the military.1 If a veteran also has mental health issues, they may be at greater risk of developing a problem with substances.1 They may be reluctant to seek help for substance abuse or mental illness for a variety of reasons, including stigma, insurance issues, or limited access to treatment.1

Veteran Substance Abuse Statistics

Veterans are more likely than the general population to struggle with substance use.1 Statistics show that:1-3

  • More than 10% of veterans have a SUD.
  • 63% of veterans who served recently in Afghanistan and Iraq who were diagnosed with a SUD also met criteria for PTSD.
  • Almost 40% of veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq were likely to be abusing alcohol.
  • About 3% of veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq were likely to be using drugs.

There are several reasons why veterans use substances. Service-related injuries and chronic pain are often managed with pain medications, which can lead to opioid abuse.1,3 Veterans with mental health disorders may turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with symptoms or deal with the trauma that was experienced during service.1,3 The stress of readjusting to civilian life can also contribute to veteran substance abuse.1

The most common substance abused by veterans is alcohol, followed by opioids and other prescription medications, marijuana, and cocaine.1,3

Why Do Veterans Abuse Drugs and Alcohol?

A variety of factors can contribute to the development of a SUD, especially in veterans. Genetic factors can play a role; SUDs frequently run in families.4 As well as this genetic component, veterans are often dealing with additional factors that contribute to substance abuse.

Long periods of deployment, exposure to combat, and trauma are stressors common in military service that can increase the risk of developing a SUD.1,3,5 These issues can also contribute to the development of mental health disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Veterans may use substances to manage symptoms and are also at greater risk of developing a SUD.1,3,6 Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can increase the risk that a veteran will abuse alcohol or drugs by 2 to 5 times compared to veterans without TBIs.7

Veterans may find it difficult to readjust to civilian life after leaving the military, which can also contribute to SUDs.1,5 They may have difficulty connecting with family members and friends, especially if they have been deployed for extended periods.8 They may also find it hard to interact with civilians who don’t know what they’ve been through.8

Relationship issues can be exacerbated by mental illness symptoms.9 The family dynamic changes when a service member is deployed, and it can be difficult to adjust when a veteran returns home.9 More than half of married veterans experience marital problems, with similar numbers reporting some level of domestic violence.9 Marital problems and divorce can also be contributing factors to SUDs.

Veterans and Mental Health Issues

Co-occurring or dual diagnosis disorders may be especially likely among veterans.1-3,5 PTSD or depression diagnoses are 3-4 times more likely in veterans with SUDs.1,5 Anxiety disorders are also more likely to occur in veterans.1 Up to half of veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq are diagnosed with a mental illness of some kind—conditions that are strongly associated with SUDs.1,2 Estimates show that between 82-93% of veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq with a SUD have a co-occurring mental illness.5

Each disorder can influence the other and can have an impact on the veteran’s functioning and treatment outcomes.1,5,7 Addiction treatment can become more complicated because it needs to address each co-occurring disorder simultaneously.20

Veterans and PTSD

PTSD can occur after exposure to trauma, such as combat.4,11 Symptoms last for at least 4 weeks and may include:4,11

  • Agitation or irritability.
  • Avoiding things that are reminiscent of the trauma.
  • Difficulty feeling happiness or connection to others.
  • Excessive vigilance.
  • Feelings of guilt or blame.
  • Flashbacks.
  • Losing interest in hobbies or important activities.
  • Persistent and uncontrollable memories of the trauma.
  • Recurring dreams about the trauma.
  • Severe and possibly long-lasting distress when exposed to triggers reminiscent of the trauma.
  • Sleep difficulties.
  • Trouble focusing.
  • Trouble remembering aspects of the trauma.

PTSD is a risk factor for substance abuse.5,6,12 About 20% of veterans seeking treatment for PTSD have a co-occurring SUD.13,14 They may use substances to self-medicate and manage symptoms of PTSD such as insomnia, to relax, or as a distraction.12-14 Veterans with PTSD often get more prescriptions and higher doses of opioids than veterans without PTSD.5 However, SUDs can worsen PTSD symptoms.12,14

Effective treatment requires addressing both disorders simultaneously.3,13 PTSD and SUDs are often connected because they affect the same areas of the brain and involve similar patterns of behavior, such as impulse control.12 SUDs can also lead to exposure to further trauma, creating a vicious cycle of worsening both disorders.6,12

Veterans and Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI can occur if a person suffers a head injury such as concussion.12,15 Veterans are much more likely to experience TBI than civilians because they are more likely to be exposed to explosions, vehicle accidents, being hit with debris or shrapnel, or hitting a hard surface.12,15 TBI is known as “a signature wound” associated with veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq; about 20-30% returned with a possible TBI.7,15,16

TBIs can range in severity. Symptoms can involve memory loss, sensory changes, headaches, sleep disturbances, difficulty focusing, agitation, and seizures.12,15 Veterans with TBIs may also struggle with impulse control and develop mental health disorders such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety.12

Veterans with TBI are more likely to abuse substances. Rates increase in proportion to the severity of the TBI.7 Nearly half of all veterans with TBIs complained of pain, which can make it more likely that they will receive opioid medications.7,17 Impulse control and impaired judgment can make veterans with TBIs more likely to misuse substances.7,12 The presence of TBIs can make SUD treatment more complex because both issues must be addressed in order for treatment to be effective.12

Veteran Depression and Anxiety

Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a cluster of symptoms that lasts more than 2 weeks and can make it difficult to function.4,18 Symptoms may include:4,18

  • Changes in appetite and/or weight.
  • Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or sadness.
  • Having no energy or feeling tired a lot of the time.
  • Isolating.
  • Lack of interest or enjoyment in activities.
  • Sleeping more or less than usual.

Anxiety is normal in certain situations, but for people who experience it frequently, anxiety may begin to interfere with their ability to function.19 People with anxiety may have symptoms including:4,19

  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Feeling dizzy or about to faint.
  • Nausea or upset stomach.
  • Racing heart (palpitations).
  • Restlessness.
  • Sleep issues.
  • Trouble focusing.
  • Worrying excessively.

Both depression and anxiety have been linked to SUDs.3,4,17 Either issue can develop first, but each can complicate treatment for the other.5,7 Many veterans who display symptoms of depression and anxiety may use substances to change how they feel.20

Why Do Many Veterans Avoid Addiction Treatment?

Veterans avoid treatment for a number of reasons. Stigma is often one of the factors.1,3 Stigma is defined as “a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart from others.”21 Military culture can strongly influence this stigma and lead veterans to internalize these feelings, even after separating from the military.22,23

Some service members and veterans are less likely to seek treatment because of the military’s emphasis on being tough, strong, self-sufficient, reliable, and ready for service at all times.5,22-24 Getting help for a mental illness or SUD can feel contradictory to these values.22,23 Service members fear being judged as weak or less reliable. They don’t want to be treated differently or lose the respect of others.22-24

Veterans may also have concerns that seeking treatment will harm their careers.25-27 Some veterans with PTSD may resist treatment in order to avoid talking about or thinking about traumatic events.11

Treatment Options at Addiction Rehabs for Veterans

The following treatment options are available for veterans seeking help for SUDs and co-occurring disorders:10,28

  • Inpatient care, which involves staying at a facility while receiving intensive group therapy and individual counseling. Psychiatric care and detoxification services may also be provided and attendance at 12-Step meetings or mutual help groups is commonly encouraged.
  • Outpatient care, which offers similar treatment as inpatient but is less intensive. Patients live at home and can maintain their usual routines, including work, school, and other responsibilities. Psychiatric care may be offered as well. Services are commonly offered on a continuum of intensity that is tailored to each patient’s needs.
  • Medications, which can be highly effective, especially when paired with counseling. They can be prescribed to assist in detox, to support sobriety, and to manage symptoms of mental illness.
  • Counseling, commonly offered in group and individual settings. It can help veterans learn to identify triggers, develop coping skills, prevent relapse, improve communication, cope with trauma, and manage mental health symptoms.

American Addiction Centers maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our addiction treatment facilities. Start the journey to recovery and find out instantly using the form below if your health insurance provider may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies.

What Is The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates medical centers around the country that are equipped to offer effective, high-quality treatment for veterans struggling with SUDs and mental health disorders.29 They offer treatment options such as:29

  • Detoxification services.
  • Individual, group, family, and marital counseling.
  • Inpatient services.
  • Medication-assisted treatment.
  • Outpatient services.
  • Treatment for co-occurring disorders.

The VA’s SUD locator allows veterans to find VA treatment facilities close to them anywhere in the country.

While the VA provides quality care to many veterans, there are certain situations where they cannot offer a particular treatment because of limited accessibility or availability. In these situations, a community care provider such as American Addiction Centers (AAC) may be an option.

AAC has partnered with the VA to offer private treatment to veterans at its Recovery First and Desert Hope facilities. Both facilities have a carefully cultivated program called Salute to Recovery, a service for veterans who are dealing with substance abuse and mental health disorders. Salute to Recovery allows veterans to receive treatment, often from other veterans, in a safe environment where they are surrounded by other veterans. The shared experiences of both patients and staff give veterans the opportunity to feel comfortable and understood while they address their issues.

To run your health insurance benefits against any treatment center in the nationwide American Addiction Centers network, you can use the free and confidential form below. You can also call us free at today to start your next steps with a caring representative who specializes in connecting veterans with the right treatment.

Additional Veterans’ Resources for Addiction and Mental Health

Since addiction and mental health issues are more likely among veterans, it’s especially important to know which resources are available to help veterans and their families.1 These resources not only provide valuable support to veterans, but also to their loved ones, who are often affected by the veteran’s struggle with addiction and mental health. Seeking appropriate treatment is a great starting point, but here a few additional resources to further support veterans and their families:

  • Make the Connection: Resource from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans stay connected to others, hear/share stories of recovery, manage PTSD, and transition from service to civilian life.
  • Wounded Warrior Project (WWP): Nonprofit helping veterans who suffered a physical or mental injury, wound, or illness find programs and resources to connect with peers, establish financial wellness, and maintain physical and mental wellbeing.
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA): Provides 24/7 confidential assistance, information, and resources to help improve the lives of post-9/11 veterans.
  • Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): Eligible caregivers can receive caregiver education and training, mental health counseling, and assistance when traveling with a veteran receiving care.
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