Substance abuse poses a major challenge for both active duty military personnel and veterans. In the United States, there are around 1 million active service members compared to about 20 million veterans, who make up roughly 10% of the country’s total population. Not every individual in the military battles with substance use disorder, but issues like like heavy drinking and the misuse of pain medication are prevalent among both active-duty members and veterans. Additionally, these individuals often encounter difficulties that could lead them to turn to drugs or alcohol after their service has ended.
With more veterans than ever seeking treatment for drug and alcohol problems and mental health disorders, the link between the two can’t be ignored. Greenbranch Recovery and our veteran patients work to overcome stigmas and root causes of mental and physical pain, building a recovery program tailored to the specific concerns of visible and invisible wounds of battle. If you or someone you love needs help for drug or alcohol abuse, specialty treatment programs are available.
The Importance of Addiction Treatment for Veterans and Active-Duty Members of the Military
Treating veterans and active-duty members of the military is of paramount importance. Veteran patients often grapple with unmitigated challenges underscored by time away from loved ones, the pressures of military service, military sexual trauma, chronic pain and, for many, a combat-related traumatic event that can all be contributing factors in the cycle of addiction. Anxiety disorders are also common among veterans, which can exacerbate other mental health conditions.
Military Veteran Addiction Statistics
Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Illness Among Military Veterans
People with substance use disorders (SUD) can also have other mental health issues, and people with mental illness often also struggle with substance abuse and addiction. Common co-occurring conditions that happen with substance use include anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, PTSD, schizophrenia and more. This is often referred to as dual diagnosis.
Though someone might have both a substance use disorder and mental health concerns, one does not necessarily cause the other. Many veterans struggle with co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis. According to recent data:
- 4 in 10 veterans with a substance use disorder struggled with illicit drugs
- 7 in 10 struggled with alcohol use
- 1 in 8 struggled with illicit drugs and alcohol.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2020
- 26.2% (5.2 million) veterans had a mental illness and/or substance use disorder
- 55% of veterans aged 26 or older (or 10.9 million people) used alcohol
- 2.4 percent (or 485,000 people) misused opioids
- 10.4 percent (or 2.1 million people) used marijuana
Greenbranch Recovery in New Jersey offers SUD Primary Partial Care and Intensive Outpatient Care designed to help veterans begin to heal after dual diagnosis. We offer:
- Trauma Informed Care
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anger Management Counseling
- Group Psychotherapy and Individual Psychotherapy
What Our Veterans Addiction Treatment Program Covers
The veterans’ addiction treatment program at our specialized rehab center helps with drug and alcohol issues, including drug and alcohol addiction.
Drug Addiction Treatment
Our drug addiction services are administered through inpatient and outpatient treatment and partial hospitalization programs. We take a comprehensive approach to treatment, choosing individual and group therapies that will give you the best shot at healing. We also incorporate holistic methods in a safe and comfortable environment so you can learn how to cope without drugs.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Recovering from alcohol addiction may feel insurmountable, but we’re here to show you that achieving it is possible. Our program helps you safely detox, moving you through each step to ensure you learn how to deal with possible triggers and giving you the resources to live a life free of alcohol and drugs.
Addiction Treatment Levels of Care in New Jersey
Our recovery center offers various levels of care to ensure you get the help you need to free your life of addiction.
How Much Does Inpatient Rehab Cost for Veterans?
The cost of rehab is a major concern for many veteran patients. However, Greenbranch Recovery works with all major health insurance providers, and they cover at least some of the cost of treatment.
Our team is standing by to help get the necessary insurance approval so you can focus on getting well.
Why Choosing a Special Program for Veterans Is Key
Choosing rehab for veterans is important because you need specialized help specific to your circumstances. We focus on relapse prevention, lasting behavioral therapy techniques and post-traumatic stress disorder. We tailor your rehab experience to the unique needs of those who’ve served.
Relapse prevention is especially important, as many veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Triggers can appear suddenly, and without behavioral techniques to help deal with them, relapse can be even more likely than for those who haven’t served. We take steps to ensure your recovery is lasting by providing you with long-term tools specific to how your service may have contributed to addiction.
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Help for Military Personnel With Drug and Alcohol Dependence
If you or someone you love is a veteran or in active military service and experiencing issues with drug and alcohol dependence, lasting recovery is possible. Addiction and mental illness thrive in silence, so reach out to someone at Greenbranch Recovery to speak up for yourself and break free from substance dependence.
After sacrificing to serve your country, it’s time to do the same for yourself. Take back your life from the throes of addiction so you can stand tall and proud once again.
Call us today at 609-622-5101 for more information about veteran drug rehab.