Female Veterans
Military sexual assaults contribute to high PTSD rates in veterans, including servicewomen.
A comorbidity study revealed that 52% of men and 29% of women struggling with PTSD also had alcohol dependence.
Unfortunately, veterans with PTSD are also affected by this trend. Statistics indicate that 33% of veterans receiving treatment for a substance use disorder also have PTSD, and the number of smoking veterans with PTSD is almost double.
While military women show lower rates of heavy drinking compared to military men, the use of other illicit drugs is comparable for both genders. However, women face additional stress and challenges due to their gender in a male-dominated field. Other factors that increase the likelihood of military women developing substance use disorders include their higher rates of depression than men, more women than men reporting PTSD even before military service, and the experience of sexual trauma, sexual assault, and fear of sexual harassment.
While only 1% of males report sexual assault or harassment, females report 20 to 30% of cases. Female veterans with substance use disorders are more likely to have experienced sexual abuse during childhood, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, military sexual trauma, and PTSD. Additionally, female veterans with substance abuse are at a higher risk of suicide and even death.
At La Jolla Recovery, we offer women’s rehab and specialized attention to address gender-specific issues and military backgrounds. We reduce the stigma of drug use and follow treatment, understanding the pain and challenges experienced during service. We also recommend healing methods parallel to treatment that can address trauma, such as those available in out-of-state locations like Texas, New York, Arizona, or Florida. Let us make California home and begin a journey toward healing at La Jolla Recovery veteran addiction rehab. We salute you and are here to help.
Chronic Pain and Brain Injury
While some of us may endure long-term pain, veterans face a heightened risk of developing chronic pain due to the extreme circumstances and traumatic injuries they encounter in war. Chronic pain often leads many veterans to substance abuse, particularly opioids like heroin, which are potent painkillers prescribed only with a doctor’s order.
In recent years, there has been a significant surge in opioid prescriptions, resulting in widespread addiction. A study conducted by the Center for Investigative Reporting six years ago revealed a staggering 300% increase in veteran opioid prescriptions in the United States over the past decade. This surge has led to a doubling of overdose and addiction deaths among veterans compared to the general population.
Individuals grappling with opioid addictions may encounter various challenges. A traumatic brain injury, caused by a violent shake or blow to the head, can trigger substance abuse. The impact causes the brain to collide with the skull, resulting in nerve damage. As a coping mechanism, these individuals turn to alcohol and drugs to numb their pain and seek pleasure.
If you or a loved one has recently returned from service, it’s essential to be aware of potential symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. These may include insomnia, headaches, slow speech, amnesia, nausea, blurred vision, hypersensitivity to light, dizziness, and disorientation. Notably, a study published in the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that 30% of veterans deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan may have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
Most Abused Substances by Veterans
Alcohol can be categorized as a stimulant or a depressant depending on its consumption. In small amounts, it acts as a stimulant, altering excitatory neurotransmitters and causing euphoria, which may encourage further drinking. However, in large doses, it behaves like a depressant, depressing the user’s central nervous system and affecting inhibitory neurotransmitters. This reduces electrical activity in the brain, leading to slow speech, poor balance, sluggish movements, drowsiness, and other symptoms. This is known as binge drinking, which involves consuming 5 or 6 drinks on a single occasion and is more common among military personnel than the general population.
Veterans often turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism for PTSD and other war-related disorders. Alcohol abuse and PTSD are closely linked, as indicated by the US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics showing that 68% of Vietnam veterans seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use problems.
War can result in various physical consequences, including back pain, chronic headaches, and lost limbs. Opioids, artificial substances derived from opiates, are designed to act as painkillers.
Popular opioid brands include Oxycodone, Lortab, and Vicodin, which are effective in managing different types of pain. However, they are highly addictive. Many veterans begin abusing opiates while still on active duty, seeking relief from injuries with opioid pills. Over time, they develop an addiction to these painkillers, sometimes progressing to heroin, even after leaving the military. It is not uncommon for veterans to start with prescription opiates and later switch to heroin due to cost and availability.
Veterans face various conditions beyond pain and injuries, including anxiety and insomnia. Sedatives and benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed as “remedies.” These psychoactive drugs impact the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, which regulate brain activity. Benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed to manage panic disorders, anxiety, and seizures. However, their use for PTSD is limited due to insufficient research and data on their effectiveness. Moreover, emerging evidence suggests potential health risks associated with these medications for PTSD. These substances are not the only ones abused, and other common drugs like cocaine or Molly may also be involved.
Signs of Addiction in Vets
Alcohol and drugs provide a temporary rush of happiness and excitement, which users crave. However, the euphoric effects fade after the substance wears off, leaving behind apathy, depression, and listlessness. This cycle of seeking another high leads to a downward spiral.
Users lose interest in interacting with loved ones and develop secretive behaviors like lying about substance use and hiding drugs or alcohol. If you notice these symptoms in a friend or family member who recently left active military service, it’s crucial to seek professional help to determine if addiction is an issue.
Fully residential rehab facilities like ours offer a safe environment where veterans can recover without temptations. Qualified clinicians provide 24/7 care to address withdrawal symptoms or other obstacles to recovery. We recommend consulting a recovery professional for yourself or a loved one at a suitable substance abuse rehab clinic like La Jolla Recovery.
The initial three stages of a client’s stay are evaluation, detox, and therapy. The evaluation stage assesses the severity of substance abuse and identifies any co-existing conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression. This data informs the creation of a personalized recovery plan. Detox follows, eliminating toxic substances from the body. Counseling and therapy then become the primary focus. Treatment may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), one-on-one counseling, group therapy, process therapy, trauma therapy, and holistic therapies such as mindfulness meditation, relaxation techniques, and alternative treatments. Our team will develop a tailored aftercare plan to support the patient’s continued recovery.
Suicide and Substance Abuse among Veterans
Numerous studies have established a correlation between veteran substance abuse, depression, and suicide. A study involving over 675,000 active-duty personnel revealed a significant rise in both substance use disorders and depression among active military members. Additionally, the study concluded that the suicide rate across all military services in the United States is increasing. We acknowledge that some individuals may not be receptive to religious or spiritual principles in recovery, and we want to ensure that you understand and relate to them. We offer recovery programs tailored to your unique needs as a veteran, including non-12-step approaches such as Practical Recovery and other atheist or non-AA programs. As a veteran who has given your service, we commend you for taking this courageous step and assure you that we are here to support you.
