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Many of our veterans of the US Armed Forces suffer from mental health issues, alcohol and drug abuse, and co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. It is more important than ever to make sure that quality treatment is available to veterans for these issues.

Alcohol and drug abuse among veterans of the US armed forces is slightly higher by percentage than for non-veterans. While substance dependence can strike anyone, regardless of military status, substance abuse differs and is usually a means to escape stress. Military personnel deal with a high level of stress and likely seek that escape.

Another 7 % percent suffer from mental health issues, and 1.5% from co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. With tighter psychological screenings being given upon enlistment, these numbers indicate that the mental health issues originate during service. And the percentage of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with mental health issues is rising.

Tarzana Treatment Centers provides Integrated Behavioral Healthcare services for US veterans that include both alcohol and drug detox and treatment, along with mental health treatment. Our veterans’ services are specially tailored to suit individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.

The following is from a new report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The full report gives detailed findings by gender, age, and income.

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• Combined data from 2004 to 2006 indicate that an annual average of 7.0 percent of veterans aged 18 or older experienced past year serious psychological distress (SPD), 7.1 percent met the criteria for a past year substance use disorder (SUD), and 1.5 percent had co-occurring SPD and SUD
• Veterans aged 18 to 25 were more likely than older veterans to have higher rates of past year SPD, SUD, and co-occurring SPD and SUD
• Veterans with family incomes of less than $20,000 per year were more likely than veterans with higher family incomes to have had SPD, SUD, and co-occurring SPD and SUD in the past year

— Source: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/veteransDual/veteransDual.htm —

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