Substance Use Disorder Among Air Force Veterans: Treatment & Recovery

Military Veterans suffer from addiction as one of their most common health conditions, and U.S. Air Force (USAF) Veterans are no exception.¹ Substance use disorders (SUDs) can have a variety of effects on the health of USAF Veterans and suicide rates among this group, but treatment is available, and recovery is possible.² This page will explore the extent of substance use in the Air Force, risk factors for use, treatment options, and how to get started.

Drug & Alcohol Use in the Air Force

Members of the military are placed in a unique culture with punctuated high stress that can increase their risk for substance misuse and addiction.³ Deployment is associated with initiation of smoking, irresponsible use of alcohol, drug use, and other risky behaviors, but it is difficult to assess the true rates of use because previous surveys have relied on self-reporting.³ Only 8.6% of military personnel responded to the most recent survey sent out in 2015, which makes it difficult to determine the scope of the problem.³

However, even from the available data, alcohol misuse and hazardous drinking are the most common forms of substance misuse among active military personnel.³ Alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the military is common, with over a third of service personnel meeting criteria for hazardous drinking or AUD.³ The 2015 study, for instance, found that binge drinking was reported at 30% among active military personnel, compared to nearly 25% among the general population.³

Prescription opioid and illicit drug misuse is far lower during active duty, possibly due to the strict policies and mandatory drug testing in place throughout all branches of the military.³ More commonly, service members engage in smoking and other forms of tobacco use.³ Nearly 40% of service members who smoke only began after enlisting, which attests to the culture of use within the military, which can lead to nicotine addiction.³

In the USAF, rates of drug and alcohol misuse are typically lower compared to other branches of the military, but no group is exempt from the risks and consequences of addiction.⁴

Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder Among Air Force Veterans

After leaving the military, members of the Air Force and other branches of the military experience an increased risk of substance misuse and addiction.³ Many of the factors that might protect against substance misuse during active duty disappear after retirement, but the risk factors may remain or increase.³ Risk factors that contribute to substance misuse among active and veteran service members include:^2,3

• Deployment.
• Combat exposure.
• Other mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.
• Experience of trauma before enlistment.
• Chronic pain.
• Increased suicide risk.
• Trauma.
• Homelessness.
• Barriers to societal reintegration.

Combat and other traumas associated with military careers make PTSD and addiction common among Veterans.⁵ Nearly a third of Veterans who seek treatment for a SUD also have PTSD.⁵ From PTSD and other mental health difficulties, the Veteran suicide rates are 1.5 times higher than the general population.6 On top of these risk factors, the mental health stigma in the military can make it difficult for USAF members or Veterans to get the help they need.³

Air Force Addiction Treatment Options & Resources

Addiction is a treatable condition, and there are many options available for U.S. Veterans. Care can be sought through Veterans Affairs (VA) and facilities that are considered in-network with VA coverage or by other programs if they have additional insurance.

VA Rehab for Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment

When it comes to the Air Force and addiction, difficulty managing a SUD is common, but the VA offers extensive support for Veterans. To access VA services, you must first apply for VA health care.⁷ Then, you can talk to a VA primary care provider, find a substance use disorder program near you, call the VA general information hotline or contact the local VA medical center to get started with screening, diagnosis, and addiction treatment.⁷ Services for VA addiction treatment include:⁷

• Medication for help during detox, craving reduction, or nicotine replacement.
• A variety of counseling and therapy options for all stages of recovery.
• Treatment and support for co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD and depression.

Veterans can also find addiction treatment coverage through in-network facilities that work with the VA.

Addiction Treatment Options for Air Force Veterans

Depending on the severity of a person’s substance use disorder and personal factors, different levels of addiction treatment may be required for optimal recovery.⁸ Levels of SUD treatment that may benefit Veterans include:⁸

• Medical detox programs: Detox may be the first step of recovery, as it addresses the needs of the patient while their body cleanses itself of the substance(s). However, detox should always be followed by further treatment to decrease the risk of relapse.
• Inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs: Treatment takes place in a hospital or residential setting. Inpatient centers offer 24/7 care and highly structured treatment programs that offer medical or social support for more severe cases.
• Outpatient addiction treatment programs: These programs range widely in their scheduling, making them a compatible option for people who must maintain school or work obligations during the day and week. But they are typically recommended for people with mild to moderate substance use disorders who have stability and support in their home environment.
• Intensive outpatient addiction treatment programs (IOPs) or partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) for addiction. These are outpatient programs that rival the structure and intensity of inpatient programs. Offering treatment 6 to 8 hours per day during the work week, they allow a person to remain at home during treatment but still receive extensive care.
• Aftercare. Aftercare, or ongoing recovery support services, may be accessed through formal recovery services or community-run programs and mutual aid groups. Recovery support includes anything that assists in relapse prevention and ongoing recovery for people after they complete a formal addiction program.

Start Your Recovery Today

If you or someone you love are a USAF Veteran struggling with addiction, help is available.

If you’re ready to find addiction treatment options for yourself or a loved one, get started with our free nationwide rehab search tool. Find addiction treatment facilities that take insurance, rehabs that allow pets, outpatient rehab programs, same-day admission rehab facilities, and more.