Athens Georgia Detox Centers for Veterans

Veterans of the United States military services made tremendous sacrifices to serve their country. Veterans often suffer from mental health issues, such as alcohol or drug addiction, as a result of their sacrifices.

High stress may be caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or physical discomfort. Veterans' use of alcohol and drugs rises as a result of this stress.

Veteran's addiction

Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by persistent drug-seeking and uses despite negative physical, emotional, and social consequences.

Veterans and active-duty military members smoke and misuse drugs at greater rates than civilians, owing to the stress of their jobs. These stressors lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multiple mental health issues are known as co-existing illnesses when they are identified in the same person.

PTSD is common among service personnel who develop drug abuse problems. PTSD has been diagnosed in 74 percent of Vietnam soldiers and 63 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Veterans with alcoholism

Even though military personnel on active duty are subject to stringent regulations, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) discovered that active service members consume more alcohol than civilians. Heavy drinking is four times more frequent in males than in women in all four branches of the military.

Abuse of opioids by veterans

When opioids are taken as prescribed, they aim to relieve pain. This is significant for military personnel, who often suffer from chronic pain as a result of injuries sustained in combat zones or when wearing heavy equipment. Opioids have a high level of addiction. Users may get addicted to them even when they are taken according to a doctor's prescription.

Between 2001 and 2009, when the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts began, military physicians' prescriptions for opioids tripled.

It should come as no surprise that elderly veterans suffer from chronic pain at a higher rate than others. Younger veterans, on the other hand, are at the greatest risk of acquiring an opioid use problem. Opioid addiction among young veterans increased from 3% to 4.5 percent between 2003 and 2007.

Cigarette smoking by veterans

In 2008, about 30% of members of the US Armed Forces smoked cigarettes. Deployment was a significant risk factor in predicting whether former smokers started smoking again, according to a study of more than 48.000 military members.

Co-occurring disorders in veterans

Veterans are more vulnerable to co-occurring illnesses, commonly known as dual diagnosis diseases. PTSD is a common mental illness among veterans and military personnel, and it often co-occurs with drug use disorder.

PTSD symptoms have been observed by almost 30% of soldiers returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Between 11 and 20% of military personnel who return from deployment suffer from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both of these diseases are common among veterans.

In veterans, a mix of PTSD and drug addiction may be very hazardous. Abusing drugs or alcohol may exacerbate the symptoms of mental illness. This combination has also been linked to an increase in suicidal ideas and attempts, as well as suicide deaths.

Homelessness among veterans

In the United States, about 37,00 veterans were homeless in 37,000. Veterans have a greater chance of homelessness than non-veterans, according to research. Severe mental disorders and drug misuse issues are two risk factors for homelessness, both of which veterans experience far too often. Veterans who have been diagnosed with drug use problems are more than twice as likely to be homeless as veterans who have not been diagnosed.

Approaches of rehabilitating veterans that are based on scientific evidence

Detox Georgia may provide soldiers cognitive behavioral therapy as well as trauma-focused counseling, which can assist veterans with PTSD or depression understand how these issues contribute to their drug misuse problems. Detox Georgia may also assist veterans in learning non-drug and non-alcohol methods of stress management.

There are many Detox Athens Centers that may assist veterans who are suffering from mental health issues or addictions as a result of their service in the military. Help is available if you or a loved one is struggling with any of the problems discussed in this article. Detox clinics are your best choice if you reside in Georgia, since going to a nearby treatment facility means you won't have to travel far to detox, and it will be simpler for your loved ones to visit you.