Substance abuse disorders are common in veterans. Many people deal with issues with alcohol, prescription medications, illegal drugs, and more. Many veterans live in Ohio, and 7.2% of the veteran population lives below the poverty line.
Some veterans have service-connect disabilities that can make it difficult to work. There are also about 730 veterans in Ohio that are homeless, many with addictions or mental health issues. Here’s a brief guide on how veterans in Ohio can seek substance abuse treatment.
How Many Veterans Have Substance Abuse Issues?
Veterans often turn to substance abuse to help with injuries that occurred during service, for emotional trauma experienced in service, or for mental health issues. Some statistics that provide a clearer insight into veteran substance abuse consists of:
- 9.9% of veterans 18-25 and 5.9% of veterans 26 and older had alcohol use disorder.
- 555,000 veterans misused prescription pain relievers.
- 10.1% of veterans aged 18-25 and 2.8% of veterans aged 26 and older misused opioids.
- 3.4% of veterans 18-25 and 0.6% of veterans 26 and over used cocaine.
- 2.5% of veterans 18-25 and 0.5% of veterans over 25 used methamphetamines.
- About 25% of veterans have PTSD.
- Among veterans with SUDs:
- Over 80% engage in alcohol abuse.
- About 27% engage in illicit drug abuse.
- About 7% engage in both alcohol abuse and illicit drug abuse.
The statistics reflect an alarming picture of substance abuse in veterans. Whether you’re healing from the trauma of being in combat or assimilating back to the civilian world, substance
abuse can seem like the right path to recovery. However, this can often hinder your ability to heal and may lead to a destructive life path.
What Treatments Are Available to Veterans?
Substance abuse treatments can vary widely from center to center. However, many places offer treatment programs, including:
- Detox
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient program
These treatment types can help veterans recover from substance abuse and get therapy for trauma caused before, during, or after service.
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