PTSD and substance use disorders in United States veterans are commonplace. From the Vietnam War to the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf, post-traumatic stress syndrome is a painful reaction for American soldiers to trauma. Indeed, trauma as a response to the horrors and wounds of war is ancient. From the first time humans fought each other, PTSD directly resulted from violence and extremity.

Since most soldiers do not know how to address such pain, they self-medicate with illegal substances, particularly prescription drugs and opioids. Thus, PTSD and substance use disorders go together like two peas in a pod. In the 21st century, after the extremity of the recent conflicts and the rise in terrorism, it is not surprising to see soldiers returning home with post-traumatic stress disorders. However, what is surprising is the lack of treatment options.

Treatment Options for PTSD and Substance Use Disorders

At Tarzana Treatment Centers, there are many treatment options for Veterans. Indeed, TTC provides both mental health treatment services and substance use disorder treatment services. Moreover, the need for treatment of co-occurring disorders is essential. From a medical perspective, when veterans suffer from PTSD and substance use disorders, the clinical term is co-occurring disorders.

However, co-occurring disorders like PTSD and substance use disorders are not uncommon, even in the general population. In the twenty-first century, the diagnosis of co-occurring disorders is commonplace. In addition, the result of more diagnoses is more research into treating these disorders. Thus, there are practical and viable treatment options for veterans.

PTSD and Substance Use Disorders = A Common Challenge

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, treating Veterans with substance use disorders and post-traumatic stress syndrome is a priority. As taken directly from a recent report by the VA, the following is true:

• More than 2 of 10 Veterans with PTSD also have SUD.
• Almost 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for SUD also has PTSD.
• The number of Veterans who smoke (nicotine) is nearly double for those with PTSD (about 6 of 10) versus those without a PTSD diagnosis (3 of 10).
• In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about 1 in 10 returning Veterans seen in VA have a problem with alcohol or other drugs.
• War Veterans with PTSD and alcohol problems tend to binge drink. Binge drinking is when a person drinks a lot of alcohol (4-5 drinks or more) in a short period (1-2 hours).

Given such statistics, the need for treatment services for U.S. Veterans remains a priority. Please get in touch with us to learn more about the treatment services at TTC for U.S. Veterans.