Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a substantial issue among this nation’s military veterans and they are linked to many damaging results.  Regardless of many attempts by the VA (Veterans Administration) and other agencies over the past decades to reduce problematic substance use, SUDs in veterans continue to rise.

One study of military personnel discovered that:

• 30% of completed suicides were linked to drug or alcohol abuse
• 20% of high-risk behavior deaths were associated with drug or alcohol overdose
• Among veterans going for first-time care in the VA system, 11% meet the standards for a diagnosis of SUD
• Alcohol and drug use disorder diagnoses are more common among male veterans

Why are Veterans More Susceptible to Substance Abuse?

There are several environmental stressors unique to military members that have been linked to an increased risk for the development of SUDs. For military personnel and veterans, these stressors include deployment, exposure to combat, and readjustment challenges after deployment.

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