Help for Military Veterans with Alcohol Problems

Alcohol abuse weighs on Army

2010-02-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

The Army needs to double its staff of substance-abuse counselors to handle the soaring numbers of soldiers seeking alcohol treatment, said Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army's No. 2 officer. About 300 more counselors are needed to meet the demand, cut wait times and offer evening and weekend services, Chiarelli, the Army vice chief of staff, said in an interview with USA TODAY.
See full article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2010-02-09-treatment-army-alcohol_N.htm

PTSD Incidence in Veterans

2009-12-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

About 1.6 million men and women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since the start of military operations in 2001. One-third of deployed soldiers have served at least two tours of duty; 70,000 have been deployed three times; and 20,000 have been deployed at least five times. The more times soldiers are deployed, the greater the likelihood of mental disorders. Multiple deployments are associated with a 50 percent greater prevalence of psychiatric disturbance. A recent RAND Corporation study estimated that as many as 300,000 returning veterans are suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression, often complicated by the presence of traumatic brain injuries, as a result of exposure to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). (See Tanielian & Jaycox, 2008; RAND, 2008, http:// veterans.rand.org). Approximately 1,000 returning veterans commit suicide each year, which is twice the likelihood of their civilian counterparts.
Meichenbaum, D. (2009). Trauma and substance abuse: Guidelines for treating returning veterans. Counselor Magazine.10: 10-15.

PTSD

2009-12-16T12:58:00.001-08:00

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common problem in soldiers who
have experienced combat. Often the individual with PTSD will try to medicate symptoms by use of drugs or alcohol, and develop a drug or alcohol problem too. Both problems must be treated.
PTSD Resources

VA National Center for PTSD
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

Information Line
802.296.8300

VA Suicide
PTSD Hot Line
1.800.273.TALK, Press 1

Alcoholism and Depression

2009-07-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

Here are my ideas on dual diagnosis, also called comorbidity. 85 to 90 percent of alcoholics, depending on the population, do NOT have a coexisting (or pre-existing) mental health disorder such as depression. Often any depression or anxiety is due to the CNS depressant effects of chronic excessive alcohol use, which will dissipate with a substantial period of abstinence. If an individual has both depression and alcoholism, obviously, if the depression is severe enough to endanger the person through suicide or self-harm, then the depression will need to be stabilized immediately. However, talk therapy or even antidepressant medications for the depression will often NOT be very effective if the alcoholic continues to drink. So, generally, absent danger-to-life issues, the alcoholism should be treated first, that is, the drinking stopped and alcoholism treatment completed. Usually, if the depression is related to the alcoholism, it will not be a problem after 30 days of sobriety and treatment. Check out my website for more information and professional help.
Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, LCADC
http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com
jwilliams@alcoholdrugsos.com
443-610-3569

How Do You treat Alcoholism?

2009-07-11T18:24:00.001-07:00

First the alcoholic needs to decide, based on failed attempts to control use and avoid consequences, that he/she can no longer drink successfully. The next step is to find support and treatment. Often the best approach is to seek help from a professional addictions counselor or tretament program and begin attending meetings of the 12 Step Programs, namely Alcoholics Anonymous. Alcohol addiction is very powerful and most individuals need treatment and the support of others who have learned how to stay sober. Check out my website for more information, http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com.

Returning veterans

2009-04-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

The news is full of references to the problems that returning Iraq or Afghanistan veterans have related to their deployments. I offer online support to veterans or their significant others with drug or alcohol concerns: http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com

Spirituality

2008-11-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes people are turned off by recovery in the Twelve Step Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous because of issues they may have with organized religion. The strength of 12 Step Programs is that they urge each individual to develop his/her own understanding of a source of spiritual strength. Perhaps the best place to start, I think, is with the willingness to be open to the support of others in recovery who have learned how to not drink by using AA principles. The strength of the group can be the foundation of spiritual growth.

Courage to change the things I can

2008-08-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

The Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. How does an individual in recovery find the courage mentioned in this prayer? As with most aspects of recovery, developing the "courage to change the things I can" is an ongoing process. The progress that you can achieve will most often come from improving and strengthening your relationship with your source of spiritual strength, your Higher Power. Ways to improve and strengthen that relationship include use of daily spiritual disciplines (morning and nightly prayer, spiritual readings and reflections), helping others, and asking for help from others, in recovery, attending 12 Step meetings and listening and sharing. Fear is normally a huge issue in early recovery. Ask in morning prayers and throughout the day for the strength to take risks and do what you are supposed to do. Over time, you will reach the point where fear, though present (fear seems to be part of being human), rarely will prevent you from doing "the next right thing."

Is there a cure for addiction?

2008-08-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

Most persons knowledgeable about addictions would simply answer: "no." Addiction to alcohol or other drugs is not cured by time abstinent from use of the addictive substance. There is no therapy that can teach an addict or alcoholic to use without problems over any significant period of time. Because of changes in brain chemistry and other pschological habituation factors, few, if any, individuals once addicted can return to normal, non-harmful use. The answer to addiction is abstinence from the addictive substance. Long term abstinence usually can be maintained only through comprehensive treatment that addresses the physical-medical, emotional-mental, and spiritual issues that are particular to each individual.