Reclaiming Your Strength: Navigating Addiction Recovery as a Veteran

Addiction is a common struggle faced by veterans. According to national data, approximately 8.4% of U.S. veterans aged 18 and older contend with alcohol use disorder, while 3.5% grapple with a marijuana use disorder. An additional 2.4% misuse prescription painkillers, putting them at risk of opioid addiction.

Despite the prevalence of substance misuse among veterans, seeking help for addiction can feel like a daunting task. If you’re in search of resources for veteran addiction, remember that you’re not alone, and effective treatment options are readily available.

The Silent Struggle: Battling Stigma in the Military

Regrettably, stigma can be a formidable obstacle preventing veterans from seeking addiction treatment. Within military culture, reaching out for help with mental health or addiction issues can be seen as a sign of weakness. Recent research has highlighted that veterans with PTSD often perceive treatment-seeking through a stigmatized lens, which can lead them to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism, subsequently heightening the risk of alcohol-related problems.

This stigma may compel veterans to try to fight against addiction on their own, potentially exacerbating both mental health and addiction challenges over time.

Embracing Reality and Acknowledging the Challenge

Veterans may have been conditioned to believe that reaching out for help signifies weakness or character flaws. However, seeking professional help for addiction is, in reality, an act of courage and strength. Addiction is a significant health issue, akin to any other medical condition, and acknowledging the problem marks the initial stride toward recovery.

Addiction is not uncommon among veterans seeking behavioral health treatment. Approximately 11% of veterans seeking initial VA services meet the diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder. The most prevalent issues among veterans are heavy drinking and smoking, but 4.8% of male veterans and 2.4% of female veterans meet the criteria for drug addiction.

If you’re seeking veteran addiction treatment, remember that you’re not alone in this journey. Many fellow veterans have faced similar challenges related to substance misuse, often as a means of coping with the demands of military life. Quality treatment options are available to guide you toward recovery.

Redefining Strength: A New Perspective

Reaching out for help may seem daunting, but it’s far from a sign of weakness. If you’re finding it challenging to accept the need for addiction treatment, consider reframing your thoughts about strength.

Unleashing Your Inner Warrior

Overcoming addiction requires tremendous strength, and your experiences in the service have likely provided you with the resilience necessary to confront this challenge. Coping with deployment, exposure to combat, and reintegration into civilian life demands an inner strength that can also guide you through the journey of recovery.

The Courage to Seek Assistance

It’s time to discard the belief that seeking help implies weakness or inherent personal flaws. Admitting that you need help to recover is a testament to your self-awareness and strength.

Embracing the Path to Recovery

Without a doubt, veterans possess the inner strength required to overcome addiction. Once you recognize this innate strength within yourself, it’s time to embark on your next mission: entering a treatment program.

While each individual’s treatment journey is unique, you can anticipate engaging in various services, including individual and group therapy and support group sessions, as you progress through your recovery.

You might choose to initiate your recovery journey in an inpatient treatment program, which offers structure and removes you from triggers and stressors in your home environment. Following inpatient treatment, many veterans transition to an outpatient program, where they continue therapy and group sessions while residing at home.

Breaking Stereotypes: Overcoming Barriers

When the decision to seek veteran addiction treatment is made, concerns about stigma from friends, family or fellow veterans with biased views on mental health and addiction may surface.

To address these concerns:

• Educate your loved ones about addiction as a legitimate medical condition that can improve with treatment.
• Portray addiction treatment as an integral part of routine healthcare.
• Share only general information about your treatment if you’re concerned about unsupportive individuals.
• Disregard negative opinions, as they are often based on misinformation.
• Recognize that the perceived stigma may not necessarily align with reality; research on veterans has shown that fear of stigma can hinder treatment-seeking, but most veterans report they would not judge a fellow veteran who sought help. 

Establishing a Support System

Support is indispensable as you embark on your mission to recover from addiction. The VA offers an array of services and resources intended to support veterans dealing with addiction symptoms. Reaching out to the VA can connect you with counseling, self-help groups and relapse prevention as you begin your journey toward recovery.

It’s also advantageous to immerse yourself in a supportive recovery community. Building connections with peers, especially other veterans, during support group meetings can prove highly beneficial.

Additionally, surround yourself with friends and family who support your decision to seek treatment while distancing yourself from those who hold stigmatized views of addiction.

Professional Treatment: A Path to Wellness

Overcoming addiction on your own can be challenging, but professional treatment opens the door to healing. In a veterans addiction treatment program, you’ll have access to therapy, group counseling and medication to assist you in your battle against addiction. If breaking free from drugs or alcohol feels like a formidable challenge, seeking treatment is a courageous choice.

At The Recovery Village, we proudly provide addiction treatment services designed to meet the unique needs of veterans and first responders. Our staff are trained in trauma-informed modalities, including EMDR. We also offer co-occurring disorders treatment to address mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD, which often coexist with addiction.