Substance Abuse Among Military Personnel
Military personnel deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be facing a growing number of substance abuse problems. A number of federal agencies have joined together in a campaign to address substance abuse among veterans, military personnel and their families.
What's behind the high rate of substance abuse among military members? Demographic factors and the military's unique organizational structure and culture contribute to the high prevalence of smoking and binge drinking among military members. Tobacco use is about 50 percent higher among active duty military personnel and veterans than in the civilian population, yet military personnel who have served in war zones face smoking rates that are an additional 50 percent higher.
Not surprisingly, being exposed to combat appears to be related to substance abuse rates among military personnel. In one study, one in four veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan reported symptoms of a mental health disorder, and one in six reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These disorders are strongly associated with substance abuse, as are other problems experienced by returning military members, including sleep disturbances, traumatic brain injury and domestic violence.
Treating Substance Abuse in the Military
While government organizations work to prevent substance abuse among military members, there are also a number of effective treatments for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Some programs specialize in drug rehab for military members, focusing on the unique needs of service men and women and their families and offering group therapy to treat PTSD, anxiety and other mental health issues.
Experts note that some service members may be reluctant to seek substance abuse treatment because of a culture that focuses on strength and worries about potential disciplinary consequences. For this reason, it is especially important for loved ones, colleagues, friends and mental health specialists to encourage military members to get help when needed and to provide a strong support system. The high rate of substance abuse and PTSD among military personnel makes getting treatment an urgent priority.
