Alcohol abuse rises among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
By on Aug 13th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Alcohol abuse rises among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
A new report by military researchers at the Naval Health Research Center finds that veterans back from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are increasingly “abusing alcohol after returning, perhaps to cope with traumatic memories of combat.” Alcohol abuse was also up amongst National Guard and Reserve personnel, which the report said was “concerning in light of increased reliance (on these) forces” by the Pentagon.
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…and several years later you end up with people like the Washington sniper.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:13 pmWell, that’s great news! With all these veterans self-medicating, it’ll save the VA millions in PTSD treatment costs!
August 13th, 2008 at 12:16 pmWell, l certainly didn’t see that one coming……duh.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:21 pmIt was ever thus.
What do you guys think goes on at VFW posts, anyway?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:24 pmThis is a very horrible situation that the current administration is criminally ignoring. I have met many people with PTSD who have turned to drinking. I also have met many people with PTSD who will one minute tell you the horrors of their experiences to the point of crying and then minutes later say they would love to go back.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:24 pmThis is what happens when we don’t get the veterans the help they need before they come home and it is attributable in no small part to the military culture which frowns upon and segregates out those who wisely seek help when they need it. Vtereans groups, in particular, need to seek changes from the government and the Pentagon in these regards proactively.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:24 pmHmmm.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:33 pmI suppose it was W.’s horrifying stint in the air guard during vietnam that lead him to drink so heavily as well.
Bush is a Veteran (although he never finished his service) and he is certainly abusing the bottle, and the country.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:38 pmThe VA has been treating vets like this since WWI. The vets endure hell on earth during and after the war. War is truly hell.
If you haven’t seen the movie “Born on the 4th of July” then you need to see it to get a good idea what many vets endure.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:43 pmBuckie; don’t insult veterans like me, upside, Wayne, and others by calling Bush a veteran.
Bush is a deserter. Period.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:45 pmIs TP’s placement of this, and the drunken fratboy thread preceeding it, an attempt at rubbing two antithetic sticks together, in hopes of a spark?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pmFred Says:
If you haven’t seen the movie “Born on the 4th of July” then you need to see it to get a good idea what many vets endure.
Thats one of the prices I pay for serving, I cannot even stand being in a room with a war movie playing, so I haven’t seen it and probably won’t.
I hear it is a good movie though
August 13th, 2008 at 1:05 pmBuckie Boy Says:
Bush is a Veteran
Bush was a Guardsman and never served even a second in combat, so is technically not a veteran.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pmAlcohol abuse has risen throughout the entire US the last 7 + years……….
August 13th, 2008 at 1:19 pmYou don’t need to serve in combat to be a veteran…just served in the military. BUT I don’t think * should be allowed to call himself a veteran since he was a deserter.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pmAnne Says:
You don’t need to serve in combat to be a veteran…just served in the military. BUT I don’t think * should be allowed to call himself a veteran since he was a deserter.
According to M.G.L. c4, §7, National guard and Reserve are not considered veterans unless that serve in active combat duty in a war zone.
If someone serves regular military service for 180 days regular service or 90 days in a combat zone, then they are considered veterans.
Bush was a Guardsman who never served in a combat zone, so as such is not a veteran.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:57 pmStop loss. Multiple tours of non-full time troops. Military called on to serve in non-military war. War crimes sanctioned by the WH.
And this is a surprise ?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:25 amWhen one of my best friends arrived home from Iraq from his second tour of duty (luckily, a non-combat logistics job full time on base), the only rule the Marines had was that no one could travel for two weeks (not to see family, have vacation, etc.). Everyone was expected to go to ‘regular’ work within 36 hours of landing back in the states. No counseling. No break to re-connect with family and friends. My friend dealt with it by being antisocial and drinking. A select few of us friends took turns checking on him every night and morning for weeks. The only exception was the two days he had to be social and sober to attend to the funeral and other details after one of his men drank himself to death the first weekend back. Some thanks we’re giving these men and women for serving the country.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:06 amDear Think Progress reader,
Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut is investigating a state-of-the art technology designed to assist OIF/OEF Veterans with post-deployment stress. In this study, we are combining Virtual Reality with an effective program for post-deployment stress that is approved to be grade A by the Veterans Health Administration.
We are interested in hearing from all OIF/OEF Veterans, whether or not they are experiencing post-deployment stress.
All OIF/OEF Veterans can participate in a short study to evaluate the Virtual Reality Program. Participation takes about 4-6 hours, and Veterans are compensated $20 per hour for their time, up to $120.
Veterans who are experiencing post-deployment stress are also invited to participate in our 6 week Virtually Reality Program designed specifically for OIF/OEF Veterans. The goal of this program is to lessen many of the common problems following deployment, such as sleep problems, concentration, and anger.
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:51 amFor both studies, confidentiality will be strictly maintained. Information from the study will not appear on military records, including whether any Veteran has participated or inquired about any of our studies.
You can also find more detailed information about these studies at http://www.instituteofliving.org/ADC/VRVeteransResearch.htm. or by emailing ADCRESEARCH@HARTHOSP.ORG.
Thank you.