After servicemembers finish honorably serving their country, they deserve a smooth transition into civilian life. While many veterans enjoy a healthy life after military service, many others have a number of issues, including drug and alcohol abuse. While the effects of military combat are one of the primary reasons people may turn to substance abuse, it’s not the only one. Effective addiction treatment for veterans can get to the bottom of their addiction and help them overcome it.

What Puts Veterans at Risk of Substance Abuse?

a man looks serious about his addiction treatment for veterans programIf you thought that veterans who’d experienced combat are likely to try and escape those terrible memories by drinking or using, you’d be right. However, veterans abuse drugs and alcohol for other reasons as well.

Chronic pain is one issue that many veterans deal with. Like the millions of non-veterans who also face this debilitating problem, vets may take prescription (and highly addictive) opioids to manage the pain.

Veterans can also be under a lot of stress. This may be the result of serving in war zones. Once they return home, they may feel stress for other reasons. In many cases, they have to adjust to being back with their families again. While they’re often happy to be home, it’s still an adjustment that doesn’t always come easy.

Another cause of stress can be unemployment. Unfortunately, not every veteran leaves the military and transitions back into civilian life with a job.

Other vets miss the regimented life they left behind. They may feel overwhelmed by all of the choices they must make on a daily basis.

Some veterans don’t have a family near them, and they feel lonely and isolated. These negative feelings are common in people who suffer addiction, as they try and bury their emotions by using.

Addiction Treatment for Veterans: Addressing PTSD

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, doesn’t only affect veterans. Even people who have never served in the military can suffer from this disorder. However, veterans who do have PTSD need the same specialized treatment for it that anyone does.

Trauma can be the direct result of military combat. However, for women in the armed forces, trauma can also stem from sexual harassment and assault.

Many vets don’t seek the treatment they need—for mental health or substance abuse issues—because they feel a stigma attached to these problems. They try and cope on their own by drinking heavily or abusing drugs. This only makes the problem worse.

Whether PTSD results from combat or assault, the symptoms veterans feel are often the same. They may have trouble sleeping through the night or often feel angry and irritated, without knowing why. Many of them suffer depression.

Other symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Nightmares
  • Feelings of helplessness
  • Feeling emotionally numb
  • Memory problems
  • Hypervigilance

If you or a loved one is having trouble coping, the right addiction treatment for veterans can help you turn your life around.

Addiction Treatment for Veterans and Co-Occurring Disorders

Addiction treatment for veterans often has to take a two-pronged approach for those dealing with substance abuse and a mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety or PTSD. When medical professionals only try and tackle one issue, leaving the other untreated, relapse is very common. Dual diagnosis treatment is necessary to address both addiction and mental illness to give clients the best chance at lasting recovery.

Personalized Addiction Treatment That Addresses Your Needs

At Providence Treatment, we provide addiction treatment for veterans, professionals, executives, and others. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we’re one of a handful of treatment centers that focuses on professionals. The outpatient programs we provide are effective while also fitting into your demanding life.

Our services include:

Are you tired of the debilitating effects of drug and alcohol abuse? Get the addiction treatment for veterans you need by calling the experienced team at Providence Treatment. We’re ready to start you on the road to long-term recovery, so reach out today at 866-247-3307.