VA: The Relationship Between Veterans And Alcoholism

Over the last several decades, alcoholism has become a huge concern for military personnel across the United States. Current and former military face an array of challenges – unpredictable deployments, the risk of injury and being away from home. Unfortunately, alcohol is sometimes used as a coping mechanism during these difficult times.

Although several federal agencies are actively trying to address the support needs of current and former service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as their families, the response has been slow and has not matched the magnitude of this population’s requirements as many cope with a complex set of health, economic, and other challenges. The number of people affected, the influx of returning personnel as the conflicts wind down, and the potential long-term consequences of their service heighten the urgency of putting the appropriate knowledge and resources in place to make re-entry into post-deployment life as easy as possible.

George Rutherford
(pulled from The Guardian)

Veterans are also at risk of being diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder. Co-occurring disorders involve a diagnosis of 2 conditions, substance abuse and a mental health disorder. For example, if a veteran falls victim to alcohol abuse while suffering from anxiety, both conditions must be addressed and treated together. If left untreated, a co-occurring disorder can lead to more serious health complications in the future.

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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans

The physical and psychological effects of being in the military can last a lifetime. Among the most common effects that active and former military experience is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a severe anxiety condition that is often the result of a traumatic event. In the case of soldiers, PTSD generally occurs as a result of the events witnessed during combat such as explosions, gunfire and grave injuries. While the symptoms of PTSD may surface shortly after a traumatic event occurs, the disorder can take years to properly diagnose.

Several symptoms of PTSD are:

  • Depression
  • Flashbacks
  • Sleeping problems, like nightmares and insomnia
  • Paranoia
  • Self-destructive behavior
  • Anxiety

Alcohol Abuse And PTSD

Alcohol is often consumed to mask the triggers of trauma or forget terrifying incidents. However, frequent binge drinking can rewire the brain, building up a person’s tolerance and increasing their alcohol dependence over time.

The consumption of alcohol can also affect a veteran’s PTSD. Not only can it prolong PTSD symptoms, but it can also intensify them as well. Since alcohol is a depressant, drinking can exacerbate some PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, depression and insomnia.

When alcohol enters the body, it lowers your serotonin and norepinephrine levels. Serotonin is a chemical that affects your mood, appetite, sleep and memory. Norepinephrine is a stress hormone that controls how the body reacts to different situations and events. Low levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine have been linked to depression. In veterans who suffer from mental health conditions, excessive drinking can make situations seem worse than they are. This can lead to an increased risk of self-harm or suicide.

Seeking professional help from an alcohol treatment center is the safest and most effective way to overcome a drinking problem. Alcohol counselors are able to work with veterans on a one-on-one basis to identify any signs of PTSD. They can also provide them with with tools necessary for preventing future triggers.

Veteran Drinking Statistics

About 25% of soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan were diagnosed with PTSD, depression, anxiety or chemical dependency after returning home. Almost 30% of Vietnam veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD at some point in their lives. Between 11-20% of those who fought in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom suffer from PTSD in a given year. Nearly 23% of male veterans have reported participating in binge drinking, while only 14% of female veterans have binged.

The Impact Of Heavy Drinking On Veterans

Alcohol use can have a tremendous impact on both active duty and retired military. Not only do dangerous drinking patterns impact the individual, but they can also affect family members and friends. Over time, alcoholism takes a toll on an individual’s personal life, professional goals, health and emotional well-being.

Sadly, far too few veterans get the help they deserve. Around half of the men and women who return home from deployments are in need of treatment for mental health conditions; however, only about 50% of those actually seek treatment.

While some veterans may try to self-treat their condition, others tend to hide their alcoholism from family and friends. Seemingly harmless habits, such as drinking socially, can quickly escalate into a full-blown dependence on alcohol. When underlying mental health conditions, such as PTSD are present, the risks are even higher. Some risks associated with alcohol abuse among the veteran population include homelessness, depression and challenges at home or in the workplace.

Veteran Homelessness

Roughly 40,000 former soldiers are homeless. Between 2010 and 2016, there was a 47% drop in the number of homeless veterans living in the United States. However, those who were unable to find shelter are left trying to find refuge on the streets. Many are jobless, lack health insurance and go without food for weeks or months at a time. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness or depression.

The high number of veteran homelessness is influenced by a number of variables. Some of these factors include insufficient government aid, lack of affordable housing, low wages and inadequate access to health care. In addition, mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD can make finding a job difficult.

Self-harm Or Suicide Among Veterans

Following a medical discharge or retirement from the military, veterans are monitored for any signs of self-harm or suicide attempts. Those who had multiple deployments or faced life-threatening circumstances have the greatest risk of inflicting harm on themselves or others. This is usually related to mental health conditions that arise during and after service, including depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Using alcohol as a mechanism to heal feelings of sadness or helplessness is an extremely dangerous path to follow. With each drink that’s consumed, a veteran’s emotions can begin to spiral out of control and lead to self-injury. Nearly 22 veterans commit suicide every day.

Challenges At Home

Frequent moved and long deployments can put relationships with loved ones to the test. After returning home, a veteran may use alcohol as an outlet to deal with the hardships they experienced while in the service. However, when drinking becomes a crutch, the negative consequences affect more than just the person suffering from alcoholism.

Heavy drinking can increase the risk of assault, domestic violence and child neglect/abuse. Between 2006 and 2011 alone, domestic violence cases involving military personnel spiked by 33%. Alcohol associated with domestic violence increased by 54% from 2001 to 2011. In that same timeframe, alcohol associated with child abuse rose by 40%.

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Identifying Alcohol Abuse In Veterans

Alcohol use can affect veterans of any age, gender or military ranking. However, just because someone has a drinking problem doesn’t make them a bad person. There are many times when a veteran realizes they need help and approach loved ones for guidance and support.

Several signs of dangerous drinking behaviors in veterans are:

  • Exhibiting physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal (characterized by insomnia, nausea and shakiness).
  • Showing aggression, irritability and hostility towards others.
  • Hiding alcoholic beverages and bottles, and drinking in private.
  • Losing interest in hobbies, personal and professional goals.
  • Putting themselves or others in harm’s way after drinking heavily.


If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s important to get help immediately. Sometimes this may involve family or friends staging an intervention to talk about their concerns and possible treatment options. With time and hard work, a veteran can overcome alcoholism and prevent future triggers from arising. Find alcoholism resources now that will provide you with the necessary tools for getting and staying sober.

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Treatment Options For Alcoholism In Veterans

Men and women who serve in the armed forces encounter extremely stressful and traumatic events every day. With millions in need of assistance, local, state and national officials remain focused on the availability and affordability of alcohol recovery programs for veterans. This includes specialized treatment facilities that are able to recognize and help prevent alcohol abuse among service members.

Alcohol rehab programs often include:

  • Detox
  • Individual and group counseling
  • Support group meetings
  • Family counseling sessions
  • Ongoing maintenance programs


Veteran-specific programs are designed to prevent dangerous drinking patterns, as well as identify and treat co-occurring disorders. Treatment programs usually involve a combination of individual therapy, family counseling sessions, medication-assisted treatments and cognitive behavioral therapy. With the help of an alcohol treatment provider, veterans suffering from alcoholism will be able to set realistic goals for their recovery.

Every veteran’s recovery is different and should be taken at an individual pace. As symptoms gradually improve, the ability to overcome impulses and triggers will become easier to manage on your own. However, a dependence on alcohol doesn’t disappear at the completion of rehab. In order to maintain long-term sobriety, veterans are encouraged to continue counseling and partake in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. It’s also beneficial that veterans in recovery have a support system in place to help provide motivation in times of need.

Choose A Better Future

Choosing to seek treatment for alcoholism is a life-changing decision and should not be taken lightly. Getting help for a drinking problem is an investment in yourself and a better future.

Learn more about veterans’ programs by contacting a treatment provider today.

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If you or a loved one is ready to overcome an alcohol addiction, reach out today. Treatment providers can connect you with programs that provide the tools to help you get and stay sober.