Life in the military comes with many hurdles and challenges. Whether it is being away from loved ones for extended periods of time, dealing with intense levels of stress in combat situations, or simply the adjustment one has to make between civilian and military life. Life in the military is not without its difficulties. But another element that can create serious issues in the military is addiction.

Addiction rates in military show how life as a soldier can lead to additional life strains as compared with individuals who never serve in the military. It’s important to understand the presence of these differences so treatment can be adjusted and targeted towards this specific part of the population.

How Addiction Affects the Military

Addiction is obviously not something that is unique to the military. According to the Surgeon General^[1],1 in 7 Americans (approximately 21 million Americans) will deal with substance addiction at some point in their lives. While it’s clear addiction doesn’t discriminate in terms of who it affects, there are important differences to be aware of when it comes to the addiction rates in the military vs. the general population.

In terms of the substances which service personnel will become addicted to, members of the military generally find themselves becoming addicted to alcohol and tobacco more frequently than the general population. However, military members are less likely to abuse illicit and illegal substances than civilians. This is often due to the rigorous testing policies within the military and the overall availability of these substances. Because alcohol and tobacco are accepted within the military, it is clear why the incidence of addiction is higher among military members with these particular substances.

Beyond the usual suspects of alcohol and tobacco, prescription drugs are a huge issue for individuals in the military. This is due to the fact that the military has a zero-tolerance policy for members who use illicit drugs, making prescription drugs a much more attractive option to those seeking to use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse^[2], 11 percent of service members reported abusing prescription drugs, a significant increase from 2002 when only 2 percent of service members reported such an addiction. The majority of the drugs which are abused by military members fall under the opioid pain pill category, as many service personnel is prescribed these substances to deal with issues related to their line of work.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction have become increasingly prevalent in the military. Among many veterans, the symptoms of PTSD have been linked to increased alcohol consumption, opioid use and greater difficulty returning to civilian life.

Intervention Options

For individuals in the military dealing with substance addiction, there are options available to provide necessary relief. There is a wide range of addiction programs available to service members^[3], ones which tackle not only substance addiction but can also treat mental health issues that can be connected to the addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, provides military personnel with important and effective treatment programs that can offer needed interventions to this often crippling condition. As with any serious addiction, effective prevention programs that address the reasons for addiction and prepare a person to reject using a substance are a useful tool to defend against the incidence of addictive behavior.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction, military or not, contact Ocean Hills Recovery today to keep you focused on the path to recovery. We offer a solutions-focused approach which is structured according to each person’s individual situation. In order to effectively treat a co-occurring disorder such as PTSD and addiction, an individual should seek the help of a reputable rehab facility. Relapse doesn’t need to be viewed as a failure, but it can only become a success if you decide to take the next step and address the problem.

Let the caring clinicians of Ocean Hills Recovery help you jump-start the recovery process and keep you on the road to sobriety.

Sources:

[1] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/11/17/surgeon-general-1-7-us-face-substance-addiction/93993474/

[2] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/substance-abuse-in-military

[3] https://www.samhsa.gov/smvf-ta-center

About the author:

ocean hills

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

Addiction Rates In Military: Intervention Options