Substance Drug Abuse statics infographic
Substance abuse disorders are common in veterans, including issues with alcohol, prescription medications, illegal drugs, and more. Here’s a rundown on statistics about veteran substance abuse and how to find veteran substance abuse treatment in Ohio.
Statistics can help you understand the challenges veterans face in living with substance use disorders. If you are a veteran, you may realize that you are truly not alone in your struggles. What’s more, if a loved one is a veteran trying to stop drug or alcohol abuse, you may gain insight into why they could use help for veterans with substance abuse.
Being a veteran in a world that does not always offer you help and support is hard enough. Yet, even more devastating are the effects of substance abuse on a veteran’s life.
From Veterans Data Central, the following Ohio veteran substance abuse statistics will help you understand some of the difficulties Ohio veterans face.
Although you or your loved one might not be disabled, homeless, or living in poverty, these statistics are a reminder of what can happen, especially when substance abuse is a factor.
A SAMHSA report on alcohol and illicit drug use in Ohio provided some insight into the depth of the substance abuse problems in this state. Researchers asked if participants in the study had had the following experiences in the past month or year and tabulated their answers.
While the substance abuse issue is significant in Ohio’s general population, SUDs are even more prevalent among veterans. Help for veterans with substance abuse is always needed. The following veteran substance abuse statistics from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health show the extent of this problem in the United States.
American Addiction Centers also provides veteran substance abuse statistics, including stats on both substance abuse in general and alcohol specifically. In addition, the numbers show how veterans are affected by PTSD. This is important because veteran PTSD and substance abuse often go hand in hand since it is a condition people often self-medicate for with drugs and alcohol.
The statistics overall paint a somewhat alarming picture of substance abuse. Yet, for veterans, substance abuse is often related to a myriad of other difficulties. Veterans tend to face challenges that most civilians never have to consider. Whether healing from the trauma of being in a combat zone or assimilating back into the civilian world after service, veterans with substance use disorders need not only enough help but help designed specifically for their needs.
Seeking veteran substance abuse treatment can seem overwhelming. Once you understand why it is so hard, when to look for help, and what treatments are available, you may feel much better about reaching out for professional substance abuse care.
Anytime you see that substance abuse is interfering with your life, it is a good time to seek help for veterans with substance abuse. Watch for signs that substance use is playing too large a role in your life, disrupting your relationships, or taking up too much of your time and resources. Remember: if substance abuse is already damaging your life, seeking help now is the best way to prevent matters from getting worse.
There are many reasons why people hesitate to seek help for veterans with substance abuse. They may be worried about family issues, such as child custody, getting childcare, or partners who do not understand. Many veteran substance abuse treatment programs can help you deal with family issues through family therapy and other services.
Some people worry that treatment will make it harder to get or keep a job. What you need to remember is that once treatment is successful, you will be a much better employee than you could be while abusing drugs or alcohol.
Veterans have shown through their willingness to serve that they are among the strongest people around. Yet, they often worry that seeking help will make them look weak, either to others or to themselves. Yet, the strongest thing you can do is to take charge of your life by overcoming substance abuse alongside experts who can help you get the best results.
It’s crucial to know that there are different levels and types of help for veterans with substance abuse. Therefore, even if you are not sure your problem is serious enough to warrant full-blown treatment, you can still get help at the level you need. Talking to a substance abuse specialist is the best way to find out what that level is. The following are the main types of veteran substance abuse treatment programs available at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital.
This is the initial phase of substance abuse treatment if you need assistance getting past the physical withdrawals of drugs or alcohol. It is a safe place where you will get medical care from doctors and nurses dedicated to protecting your physical and mental well-being. Detox is usually completed in ten days or fewer.
Inpatient treatment is a longer-term substance abuse treatment program that offers help for veterans with substance abuse using the 12-step program, counseling, and a variety of other groups and therapies. The program is designed to last 45 days. Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital also offers a inpatient dual diagnosis program, which helps people who have both substance abuse and other mental health issues. This program is often recommended for veterans PTSD and substance abuse.
At partial hospitalization, you go to treatment at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital for eight hours a day and go home in the evening. This gives you an in-depth program that also allows you to work on resolving issues at home.
Intensive outpatient programs last three hours, three times a week, for continuing care.
An excellent veteran substance abuse treatment program incorporates a variety of medical interventions and therapeutic activities. Some of the things you will engage in during treatment might be:
The main thing that happens when you seek help for veterans with substance abuse is that you discover tools to help you deal with your personal, mental health, and substance abuse issues. You can go beyond the veteran substance abuse statistics. Then, you can overcome your addictions and build a satisfying and rewarding life..
Veterans in Ohio have access to a variety of substance abuse treatments, including inpatient and outpatient programs, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), individual and group therapy, and holistic therapies such as yoga and meditation.
Determining the right treatment program involves an initial assessment by a healthcare professional, who will consider the veteran’s specific needs, the severity of their addiction, and any co-occurring mental health conditions. Personalized recommendations will be made based on this assessment.
Yes, there are specialized programs designed to treat veterans dealing with both PTSD and substance abuse. These programs offer integrated treatment plans that address both conditions simultaneously, often involving trauma-focused therapies and support groups.
Financial assistance for substance abuse treatment is available through various programs, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), state-funded programs, and private insurance. Veterans may also qualify for grants or sliding scale fees based on their income level.
Veterans can access substance abuse treatment services by contacting their local VA office, reaching out to specialized veterans’ service organizations, or directly contacting treatment facilities like Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital for more information and assistance in starting their recovery journey.
More than anything, patients need to know that they will receive the best possible care. It’s important to remember that the care you need today may be different from the care you need tomorrow. There are many types of therapy available at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, so reach out if you need assistance in the Middle Point, Ohio area.
Call (419) 949-8590 to speak with one of our treatment specialists and learn more about our programs. Take our 😍 Mental Health Assessment or our 🧐 Addiction Test.
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