Substance Use Disorder Among Coast Guard Veterans: Treatment & Recovery

Drug and alcohol addiction among Coast Guard veterans can result in detrimental impacts on a person’s life and wellbeing.^{1 top 2nd par} Coast Guard veterans can face numerous challenges surrounding substance misuse and addiction due to the nature of their work.^{1 top} Evidence-based addiction treatment and specialized rehab programs geared toward the needs of veterans can lead to positive outcomes and help veterans reclaim control of their lives.^{2 top}

Drug & Alcohol Use Among The Coast Guard

Drug and alcohol misuse in the Coast Guard, and addiction, can impact both active-duty personnel as well as veterans.¹ Excessive alcohol use as well as other substance misuse can lead to significant impacts on a person’s mental health, including the development of co-occurring mental health disorders, as well as numerous physical health problems.^{3, 4}

Substance misuse and addiction can also potentially lead to dishonorable discharge and even criminal prosecution due to positive drug tests in active-duty servicemembers.¹ Once a person leaves the military, the protective aspects of military life are no longer in place, and substance misuse issues can have an even greater impact on veterans.¹

• According to the 2018 Department of Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey, 33.9% of Coast Guard members reported binge drinking in the past 30 days, while 7.8% reported heavy alcohol use.⁵  This survey defined binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks on the same occasion for men and consuming four or more drinks on the same occasion for women, while heavy alcohol use was defined as binge drinking on at least one or two days a week in the past 30 days .⁵
• The same survey indicates that drug use, which is defined as any use of marijuana, synthetic cannabis, inhalants, synthetic stimulants, and drugs other than marijuana and synthetic cannabis, is relatively low in the Coast Guard compared to other branches of the military, with 0.8% of Coast Guard members reporting past month drug use.⁵ 
• 5% of Coast Guard members reported past year prescription drug misuse, which includes the nonmedical use of pain relievers, stimulants, and sedatives.⁵

Studies have shown that reported rates of illicit drug use rise when people leave active-duty service.¹ For example:

• One study shows that 3.5% of veterans report marijuana use, and 1.7% report use of illicit drugs other than marijuana in a 1-month period.¹ 
• Opioid overdose rates in veterans increased to 21% in 2016 from 14% in 2010; this mainly occurred due to heroin and synthetic opioids, not from prescription painkillers.¹ 
• Veterans are more likely to use alcohol compared to non-veterans, with rates of 56.6% vs 50.8% in a 1-month period, and are more likely to engage in heavy use of alcohol, with rates of 7.5% vs 6.5% in a 1-month period.¹ 

Risk Factors for Addiction In The Coast Guard

Specific risk factors for Coast Guard alcohol addiction and Coast Guard veteran substance use disorder can be related to the nature of their work, factors that occur after leaving the service, and individual factors. Some of these issues can include:

• The presence or development of mental health conditions, like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which can increase a Coast Guard veteran’s risk for developing a substance use disorder.^{1, 6}
• Some Coast Guard veterans may avoid seeking help because of negative and outdated stigma in the military about mental health treatment.³
• Genetic influences and a family history of substance misuse. Genetics typically accounts for around 40-60% of a person’s risk for developing addiction.⁶
• Substance use at an early age.⁶
• Factors that are unique to military life, such as deployment, exposure to combat and violence, trauma, hospitalization, or injury during combat.¹
• Difficulties reintegrating into civilian life.¹
• Experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI). ¹
• Dealing with sleep disorders or problems in relationships.¹
• A work culture that is supportive or encouraging of substance use.⁵

Coast Guard Addiction Treatment Options & Resources

Coast Guard veterans can select from numerous options for addiction treatment. Treatment is typically provided directly by the VA or through private facilities that are partnered with the VA through their community care program.⁷ 

VA Rehab for Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment

VA rehab services for substance use and mental health conditions are available to Coast Guard veterans through the VA’s healthcare program.⁸ This includes services such as:⁸ 

• Medical detox, which helps people safely and comfortably stop substance use and become medically stable.
• Drug substitution therapies and medicine such as methadone and buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, or opioid addiction.
• Short-term outpatient rehab.
• Intensive outpatient treatment, or IOP.
• Marriage and family counseling.
• Self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
• Continuing care and relapse prevention to help people stay sober.
• Special programs for veterans with specific concerns, including female veterans, returning combat veterans, and homeless veterans.
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders like PTSD and depression.

In order to access these services, you’ll need to be enrolled in the VA’s healthcare program.⁸ 

Specialized Addiction Treatment Options for Coast Guard Veterans

As mentioned above, the VA offers treatment at no additional cost to veterans through community partners when the VA is unable to provide care.⁷ Veterans will need to apply with the VA and receive prior approval to participate in treatment with a community care provider.⁷ You can learn more about this option on the community care website.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a community care partner with the VA. We offer specialized programs for veterans through our Salute to Recovery program, which is specifically geared to meet the unique needs of veterans struggling with substance misuse or addiction as well as any co-occurring mental health concerns.

Coast Guard veteran addiction treatment may begin with detox, followed by participation in inpatient or outpatient rehab, or a combination of both. Inpatient, or residential, rehab means you’ll live onsite and receive 24/7 care and support, while outpatient rehab means you can live at home but you’ll need to attend treatment onsite at a rehab on a set schedule.^{8 what services, 9 inpatient and residential} Prior to entering treatment, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation to determine your needs and ensure that you enter the appropriate treatment setting.

Start Your Recovery Today

If you’re a Coast Guard veteran who’s struggling with addiction, or you know someone who is, you may wish to seek help to start the path to recovery. Evidence-based addiction treatment can help Veterans stop substance use, maintain sobriety, and start living a healthier and more productive life.¹⁰ 

You can start the process by ensuring that you’ve enrolled in the VA’s healthcare program.⁸  Then, you can find a treatment program on the VA’s substance use treatment program locator website, or speak to your VA healthcare provider, call the VA’s general information hotline at 1-800-827-1000, or contact your local VA.⁸  You can also call AAC’s free, confidential helpline at to speak to an admissions navigator who can help you find suitable rehabs for veterans and also verify your insurance coverage.