Military Veterans and Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are relatively common among military Veterans.¹ If you’re struggling with alcohol, learning more about alcohol addiction among Veterans and effective treatment can help you make an informed decision about your health.

Alcohol Use in the Military

Factors associated with military life are closely correlated with high levels of alcohol use among active-duty military members and Veterans alike.¹ The acceptance of alcohol use in military culture combined with unique stressors like deployment, mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and reintegration challenges can all influence alcohol use, misuse, and the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD) among Veterans.^{1, 2}

Veteran Alcohol Misuse Statistics

Alcohol misuse and addiction among active-duty military as well as Veterans are some of the most common substance use issues faced by current and former members of the armed forces.¹

A 2017 study examining the National Survey on Drug Use and Health data found that Veterans were more likely to use alcohol and to report heavy alcohol use compared to non-Veterans.¹ According to the 2018 Department of Defense (DOD) Health Related Behaviors Survey, more than 6% of service members experienced one or more serious consequences from drinking in the past year.³ The DOD also found:³

• 1 in 3 service members were current binge drinkers.
• 1 in 10 service members were current heavy drinkers.
• 5% reported any risky drinking and driving behavior.
• 6% reported work-related productivity loss from alcohol use.

Unfortunately, there is also a link between Veterans and suicide. Studies show that 16% of military members have attempted suicide at least once in their lifetimes, with Veteran suicide rates doubling after service.⁴ Military members who report high levels of alcohol use are also more likely to have considered or attempted suicide.²

PTSD and addiction are closely related, with higher levels of PTSD symptomatology being more strongly correlated with increased alcohol use.² In a study of Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans, 63% of those diagnosed with substance use disorders also met diagnostic criteria for PTSD.¹

Risk Factors for Alcohol Addiction in the Military

Alcohol addiction and military alcohol misuse are influenced by a range of factors, some of which are unique to the nature of military work and culture, and others that can be affected by individual characteristics and experiences.^{1, 7} These can include biological and environmental factors such as:^{1, 2, 7}

• Mental health conditions or trauma. Veterans who have different psychiatric conditions, including depression and PTSD, can have an increased risk of developing AUD.
• Mental health stigma in the military. Veterans who don’t seek help for mental health problems due to stigmatization might instead turn to alcohol as a way of coping or self-treating mental health symptoms. Stigma can also prevent Veterans from seeking help for problematic alcohol use.
• Drinking at an early age. This can potentially triple a person’s chances of developing AUD, according to a survey reported by the NIAAA.⁷
• Genetic influences and a family history of alcohol problems. For example, heritability accounts for around 60% of a person’s risk of developing alcohol problems. Parental alcohol use can also impact a person’s risk of AUD.

It can also include factors that are unique to military life and culture, such as:^{1, 2}

• Deployment and the stresses of military life.
• Increased exposure to combat and violence.
• Difficulties reintegrating into civilian life.
• Experiencing trauma, hospitalization, or injury during combat.
• Having a traumatic brain injury, sleep problems, or violence in relationships.
• Easy availability of alcohol and the behavior of alcohol establishments near military installations, which can influence Veterans and alcoholism development, as well as overall alcohol use among military members.

Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery

Alcohol abuse in the military may be common, but alcohol misuse and AUD are treatable, and there are many paths to recovery.⁷ Veterans addiction treatment can help you or a Veteran you know start the path to a happier, healthier, and substance-free life.

Specific treatment types and settings can vary by individual needs. Veterans will typically receive a comprehensive assessment that considers all of these needs so they can enter the appropriate placement.⁸ Veterans may enter detox, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or a combination of these settings, depending on their unique needs and treatment plan.⁷

VA Alcohol Treatment Programs

The VA provides rehab services for alcohol and other substance misuse, as well as mental health conditions, as a part of the VA’s healthcare program.⁹ Veterans signed up for VA health insurance are eligible to participate in these programs.⁹ Veterans who have not yet enrolled in the VA healthcare program can visit the VA’s healthcare website to determine their eligibility and to enroll.

After you’ve enrolled, you can find appropriate treatment by speaking to your VA healthcare provider about your treatment, using the VA’s substance use disorder program treatment locator, or calling the VA’s general hotline at 1-800-827-1000.⁹

The VA also covers treatment through its community care provider network.¹⁰ This network of treatment providers outside of the VA is available to eligible Veterans at no additional cost, but prior approval from the VA is necessary to access these programs.¹⁰ To learn more, visit the VA’s community care website.

Have questions about VA insurance for addiction treatment? American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help when you call and speak with an admissions navigator. They can provide confidential and free guidance and verify your insurance in just a few minutes.

Types of Alcohol Rehab Programs for Veterans

There are different levels of care used to treat Veterans’ addiction. You can learn more about treatment for your specific branch of the military in our guides below:

• Marine Veterans alcohol rehab
• Coast Guard Veterans alcohol rehab
• Navy Veteran alcohol rehab
• Army Veteran alcohol rehab
• Air Force Veteran alcohol rehab

While not always necessary, treatment sometimes begins with medical detox, which can help patients through the withdrawal process as comfortably and safely as possible and address potential complications if they arise.¹¹ During detox, patients may receive medication to help minimize withdrawal symptoms, which can help facilitate the transition to ongoing treatment.¹¹

Following detox with some form of ongoing treatment can help address the underlying causes that may have contributed to or led to addiction and can help patients develop the skills to avoid alcohol use and prevent relapse.⁸ Treatment can include inpatient addiction treatment, which means living onsite at a facility for the duration of treatment, or outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs, which involve living at home and attending treatment on a set schedule each week. ⁸

Veterans may take specific medications for AUD, such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram, during rehab and afterward, to help them avoid alcohol and maintain abstinence.⁸

Behavioral therapies for AUD can include:¹²

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, which helps Veterans examine and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, resist the urge to drink, develop healthier coping skills, and achieve personal goals.
• Motivational interviewing, or MI, which helps Veterans examine and build upon their internal motivation to stop drinking and make healthy life changes.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy, or MET, which involves principles of MI, which relies on the relationship and dialogue between the Veteran and their provider as a way of strengthening their motivation to stop drinking.

Start Your Recovery Today

If you or a Veteran you care about are dealing with alcohol misuse and alcohol addiction, you can start the path to recovery today. The Salute to Recovery program offered by American Addiction Centers (AAC) is designed to honor Veterans’ service and address their unique challenges. We have a team of compassionate addiction experts who know what you’ve been through, and our comprehensive, individualized treatment options provide the support you need to reclaim your life. Programming is available at several of our VA Centers of Excellence, including:

• Desert Hope Treatment Center
• Greenhouse Treatment Center
• Oxford Treatment Center
• River Oaks Treatment Center

Please call to speak to a caring admissions navigator about your Veteran addiction treatment options. You can also learn more about VA insurance for addiction treatment and using health insurance to pay for rehab.