Helping Our Veterans: Substance Abuse Recovery for Returning Soldiers

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(No Transcript)
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• Substance abuse among veterans is a growing
  problem. Currently, an estimated 19 of combat
  veterans receiving VA care suffer from alcohol
  abuse or drug addiction issues.1
• One study of active duty personnel revealed that
  substance abuse and depression rates have
  increased in recent years.2
• The suicide rate among veterans is also high, up
  to 50 higher than the civilian population,
  according to one recent study.3

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• Many veterans turn to drugs or alcohol in order
  to
• Ease their physical pain
• Escape from unwanted feelings
• Avoid traumatic memories
• Fill the gap left by a lost sense of purpose
• Cope with a difficult transition to civilian
  life
• Relieve a sense of boredom
• The decision to use drugs or alcohol may be
  voluntary at first, but often develops into
  Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

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• Mental illness is the leading cause of substance
  abuse problems among veterans.
• On the whole, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
  caused more psychological casualties than
  physical injuries.4
• Up to 50 of returning soldiers report symptoms
  of a mental illness, and 30 report symptoms of
  Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).5

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• Its not unusual for veterans to suffer from PTSD
  and Substance Use Disorder at the
• same time. Called co-occurring disorders, they
  require simultaneoustreatment.
• 1 in 10 veterans from the wars in Iraq and
  Afghanistan have a substance abuse problem.
• 1 out of 5 veterans with PTSD also suffer from
  Substance Use Disorder.
• 1 out of 3 veterans who seek treatment for
  Substance Use Disorder already suffer from PTSD.6

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• People who suffer from trauma often self-
• medicate. Thats because PTSD can
• Make people feel emotionally numb
• Isolate them from others
• Give rise to irritability, anger, or depression
• Lead to sleep disorders
• Cause avoidance behaviors

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• Since Substance Abuse Disorder often appears
  alongside PTSD or depression, treatment centers
  must be able to treat co-occurring disorders.
• Typically, treatment options include
• Cognitive processing therapy
• Individual and group counseling
• Medications
• Holistic therapy (yoga, skills classes,
  exercise, animal care, etc.)
• Career counseling

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• At Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Centers,
  recovery often starts with inpatientdetox and
  ends with ongoing outpatientrehab.
• Veterans who enter our safe and comfortable
  facilities will find
• Medically supervised detox programs
• Individual and group therapy
• Medication management
• Holistic therapy

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• Clinical treatment is often necessary, but
  research shows that veterans also benefit from
  non-discursive methods of treatment.
• In addition to expert psychological counseling,
  we also offer holistic treatment, which includes
• Culinary classes
• Music therapy
• Yoga
• Gardening
• Art therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Massage therapy
• Equine-assisted psychotherapy

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Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Centers
provide comprehensive, multi-disciplinary
treatment for substance abuse disorders. Our team
of substance abuse counselors, nurses, and
psychologists exercise tireless dedication to all
of our patients. With skill and compassion, we
help veterans regain their independence and their
hope for the future. Visit retreataddictioncenter
s.com today.
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• http//www.sandiegouniontribune.com/m
• ilitary/guest-voices/sd-me-landis-
  homelessness-20170209-story.html
• https//nvf.org/veteran-substance-abuse-
  statistics/
• https//nvf.org/veteran-suicide-
  prevention-numbers/
• http//www.career.fsu.edu/sites/g/files/i
  mported/storage/original/application/529
  43bcabcb2b0dd8087811316b2b30b.pdf
• http//www.sandiegouniontribune.com/m
  ilitary/guest-voices/sd-me-landis-
  homelessness-20170209-story.html
• https//www.ptsd.va.gov/public/problems
• /ptsd_substance_abuse_veterans.asp

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Summary
Soldiers put their lives on the line to serve
their country. Unfortunately, too many return
home saddled with physical injuries, emotional
trauma, and the wrong set of skills to succeed in
the civilian world. A significant percentage
resort to drugs and alcohol in order to cope.
More than ever, our veterans need advanced and
compassionate substance abuse care.