Drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues are common problems faced by many veterans. Without proper treatment and support, these issues can quickly get out of control. Unfortunately, many go unnoticed and do not receive help.
There are many reasons for this, but it often includes a lack of early intervention, stigma around addiction, and in some cases, inadequate drug education.
Early intervention, which also includes conversations and drug education, remains the best initial approach. It’s difficult to know how many veterans have substance use disorders and mental health issues, but it’s safe to say there are many who suffer in silence.
But we can reach out to those closest to us and to those in our communities, have conversations, provide drug education and break down stigmas.
According to census data, 6% of Minnesota’s adult population was identified as a veteran in 2022. Many of these veterans are affected by factors related to substance use, including pain, suicide risk, homelessness and trauma.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 3.6 million U.S. veterans suffered from a substance use disorder in the past year.
For example, alcohol use disorder is common and affects many people in the state. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the state had one of the highest binge drinking rates in the country in 2021, with 17.9% of adults reporting binge drinking. The number of adults who drink binge has remained largely unchanged since 2011.
Nationwide, veterans ages 18 to 49 are the most likely to struggle with addiction, but few of them seek treatment: National data shows that an estimated 2.7 million veterans, or 95.4% of the 3.6 million people, did not see a need for substance use treatment, and only 0.3% sought drug rehabilitation.
You can begin to help veterans by talking to them about substance use and prevention. Don’t avoid conversations about substance abuse; it may encourage them to seek help.
For example, when starting a conversation, focus on sharing how you’re feeling.
- Let them know that you’ve noticed they’re drinking more than usual and that you’re worried about whether they’re okay.
- You can also tell them that you have noticed that they have been acting differently and differently lately.
- Check in on them, call them, invite them, visit them, and show your support.
Once you start the conversation, ask questions such as when they started feeling this way, what happened to make them feel this way, whether they use drugs or alcohol to cope with their negative emotions, and whether they have ever considered asking for help or looking for support.
In these conversations, it’s important to listen without judgment, be supportive, and avoid coming across as disappointed. If you’re concerned, contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1. Other specialized resources include SAMHSA and the Department of Veterans Affairs Resource Locator.
This hands-on approach helps support struggling veterans. Early intervention remains a key component in helping those battling addiction and mental health issues.
Michael Leach has spent most of his career as a medical professional specialising in substance use and addiction recovery. He is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and
DR-S
(Drug Rehabilitation Services).
