Military Substance Abuse Programs

Although the reported cases of prescribed drug abuse are less compared to other forms of substance abuse, it is still concerning to the Department of Defense. Among the misused prescribed drugs, the most common are opioid pain relievers and depressants.

The rate of abuse of opioid is higher among active-duty military members than veterans. This is because active-duty military personnel is more likely to have access to them from a prescription.

These drugs account for the majority of addiction among active-duty military personnel and retirees. The rate of addiction from the use of substances like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are on the rise.

As the military is strict about substance misuse, especially banned drugs, the rate of overall addiction is lower among active-duty military personnel compared to veterans or the civilian population. However, military members that do test positive do face severe repercussions to include criminal charges and a dishonorable discharge.

Tobacco addiction is another common form of substance abuse in the military. Work stress and depression are the two main causes of nicotine addiction.

Fortunately, the numbers are decreasing every year among the active military population. Veteran military personnel are more likely to smoke compared to the civilian population. As a result, many suffer from coronary heart and lung diseases.

The use of e-cigarettes is on the rise in recent years. Several incidents where military members as well as non-military members have been injured by mishaps from vaping devices. These devices can cause severe burns to the user.

Vaping has also been associated with higher levels of lung disease. As a result, the government has banned vaping devices on military installations. This has helped to reduce the rate of use by military personnel, but it is still an issue.

This is the most common form of addiction among military personnel. In fact, the rate of alcohol addiction is higher in active military personnel than veterans. Alcohol is easily available to them on military installations at a cheaper price.

Binge drinking is a common disorder because the active-duty culture encourages excessive drinking and because the majority of military personnel are young men.

Military personnel often deploy to combat zones that leave them physically and mentally drained. With little time away from work to maintain mental balance, they often seek escape in substance addictions. Repeated deployments also affect their mental state. Deaths, injuries, and other dangers can be a common part of everyday life, military personnel often seek control of drug addiction.

Living in harsh conditions and dangerous war zones affects mental health over a period of time. Depression, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and brain injuries are common among active military members. This puts them at a higher risk of a substance addiction than the civilian population.

Drinking has a long tradition in military culture. So much so, that some active-duty military member doesn’t realize the addiction until they become heavy drinkers. Another reason may be alcohol is widely available at military installations at a discounted rate. Excessive drinking becomes a ritual for them to de-stress from work.

The job of military personnel involves physical risks both in and outside of combat. With the rise in the number of injuries, they get easier access to prescribed medicines like painkillers from under-trained medical staff. Many of these powerful painkillers are addictive.

Military personnel is away from their families and loved ones for months or even years. It is the nature of their work that cannot be changed. These situations often cause severe homesickness in them that leads to depression and stress. These situations make people more prone to substance addiction.