Veterans have a high rate of opioid drug addiction, and it is important to consider their specific concerns as well as the treatment options that will best address and suit them.

If you or your loved one is a veteran with an opioid addiction, call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now to find safe, reliable rehab centers that will cater to your needs.

The Issues Associated with Opioid Abuse in the Veteran Population

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Most of the prescription drugs misused by service members are opioid pain medications,” and prescriptions for pain relievers written by military physicians “quadrupled between 2001 and 2009––to almost 3.8 million.”

Some veterans self-medicate with opioids to alleviate symptoms of PTSD.

The overmedication of the veteran and military populations, as well as the issues of opioid dependence, abuse, and addiction, are all very important to consider along with the specific concerns associated with the treatment of these individuals.

• “Military families have a culture and unique behavioral therapy needs that may not be understood within the greater community,” as stated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This needs to be taken into account in order to ensure that patients receive help for every issue associated with their substance abuse and road to recovery.
• Military individuals and their families are more likely to suffer from comorbid disorders, including their children who may or may not also be in danger of substance abuse. Veterans often struggle with issues of anxiety and PTSD, which can feed into their substance abuse.
• Other substance abuse issues are prevalent among veterans and military service men and women, including alcohol and nicotine abuse. This can make it harder for individuals to put an end to their problems with opioids as well.

Treating Military Service People and Veterans for Opioid Addiction

Treatment must address all of these issues as well as any problems associated specifically with the individual. While the normal regimen of medication and behavioral therapies can often be helpful here, other treatments may need to be implemented to help individuals in this group thrive during recovery.

Family behavioral therapy can be a good option for recovery, especially because military families tend to have different ways of relating to one another than do those outside of this group. This option can help family members learn to reduce enabling habits and share intimate feelings with one another in a way that is beneficial to the recovery of all individuals in the family.

Patients with comorbid disorders will also require treatment that is sensitive to and appropriate for this issue. Comorbid mental disorders need to be treated simultaneously with addiction so neither issue will cause a relapse in the other. The treatment center you choose must also be aware of this and provide options that can address both conditions at once.

How Do I Know I Need Inpatient Treatment for Opiate Addiction?

Seek Treatment for Your Opioid Addiction Today

Veterans are a unique population and deserve to have all their needs addressed as a part of treatment as well as respect toward their specific situation. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? today to find a rehab center that can help you recover in the best way for your current situation and needs.