Three Essential Ways To Combat Addiction Issues In The Veteran Population
It is a general consensus that substance abuse and addiction are at the fore front of the most prevailing problems in our world today. A recent study of military personnel claims that about 30% of the completed suicide cases, and an estimated 20% of high risk behavior deaths were attributed to alcohol addiction and drug overdose, respectively. The US department of Veteran Affairs also estimated that one of every ten soldiers who came back from war torn Afghanistan or Iraq will eventually be faced with alcohol dependency. More specifically, there are numerous cases of addiction issues in the veteran population.
Part of the reasons why veterans are mostly faced with the challenge of alcohol addiction includes bad emotions generated from previous harsh experiences, as well as inability to successfully integrate into the civilian life once again. The following are therefore ways to combat alcohol addiction among veterans:
Proper Health Education From Beginning Of Military Career
Going by one of the most popular saying, “Prevention is better than cure!”. The prevalence of addiction in the veteran population today is majorly as a result of poor health education at the early stage of their careers.
A recent study evaluated that 70% of veterans who are homeless today suffer largely from alcohol addiction, heroin and cocaine. Many of these veterans were ignorant of the hazardous effects of falling back on alcohol and other hard substances as sources of relief at the juvenile stage of their career.
This is why both the governmental health organizations in the affairs of the military, as well as Non- governmental organizations must intensify efforts to provide proper and adequate health education to military personnel starting from the beginning of their career. Workshops, lectures and symposiums on the dangerous consequence of alcohol addiction and other hard substance abuse will help young military personnel to control their habits.
Rehabilitation For Easy Transition Back Into Civilian Life
Transiting back into civilian life always look daunting and challenging for veterans. These are people returning from war torn and violence ridden regions. They have been used to a certain way of life while away on national assignments. Returning to their home countries after completing their services usually comes with difficulty in transiting into the civilian life. Difficulty in getting along with the culture in their home country often results in withdrawal from the society. They end up getting more involved in substance abuse which often alcohol addiction surfaces as a result.
In order to ensure that veterans integrate smoothly back into the society, it is expedient that they are enrolled for rehabilitation programs. This will help to not only treat their existing polarity to alcohol addiction and other substance abuse, but will also help in preventing further damage caused by continuous use of these substances in cases where they are left to do as they like.
Easy Access To Housing And Employment
Many veterans do not find it easy to secure housing upon returning from active service. Due to the nature of the military system, it is also a mountainous task for these veterans to secure jobs which suit their skills and capable of sustaining them and their respective families. Inability to secure housing to begin life afresh and also inability to secure tangible employment are recipes for more involvement in substance abuse and eventually addiction. Easy access to affordable housing and employment opportunities will help veterans to become less prone to addiction.
In conclusion, our veterans are important part of our nation. As patriotic citizens, they deserve to live an honorable and more rewarding life. Collective effort by families, governments and private organizations to combat the common cases of addiction in the veteran population, will go a long way in helping them to live the good life they deserve.
