Comments on: Alcohol abuse rises among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:34:36 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: adcresearch http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5392630 adcresearch Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:51:40 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5392630 Dear 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. For 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. Dear 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.
For 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.

]]> By: RedTide http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5157770 RedTide Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:06:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5157770 When 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. When 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.

]]> By: MapleStreet http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5157614 MapleStreet Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:25:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5157614 Stop 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 ? Stop 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 ?

]]> By: Wayne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5156212 Wayne Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:57:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5156212 <em>Anne 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.</em> 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. Anne 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.

]]> By: Anne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5156128 Anne Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:31:57 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5156128 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. 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.

]]> By: MCMetal http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5156050 MCMetal Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:19:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5156050 Alcohol abuse has risen throughout the entire US the last 7 + years.......... Alcohol abuse has risen throughout the entire US the last 7 + years……….

]]> By: Wayne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155978 Wayne Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:07:12 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155978 <em>Buckie Boy Says: Bush is a Veteran</em> Bush was a Guardsman and never served even a second in combat, so is technically not a veteran. Buckie Boy Says:

Bush is a Veteran

Bush was a Guardsman and never served even a second in combat, so is technically not a veteran.

]]> By: Wayne http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155966 Wayne Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:05:20 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155966 <em>Fred 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.</em> 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 Fred 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

]]> By: barfly http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155954 barfly Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:03:09 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155954 Is 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? Is 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?

]]> By: Uncle Ho http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155858 Uncle Ho Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:45:42 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155858 Buckie; don't insult veterans like me, upside, Wayne, and others by calling Bush a veteran. Bush is a deserter. Period. Buckie; don’t insult veterans like me, upside, Wayne, and others by calling Bush a veteran.

Bush is a deserter. Period.

]]> By: Fred http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155846 Fred Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:43:15 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155846 The 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. The 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.

]]> By: Buckie Boy http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155816 Buckie Boy Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:38:28 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155816 Bush is a Veteran (although he never finished his service) and he is certainly abusing the bottle, and the country. Bush is a Veteran (although he never finished his service) and he is certainly abusing the bottle, and the country.

]]> By: octamethyl http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155790 octamethyl Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:33:43 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155790 Hmmm. I suppose it was W.'s horrifying stint in the air guard during vietnam that lead him to drink so heavily as well. Hmmm.
I suppose it was W.’s horrifying stint in the air guard during vietnam that lead him to drink so heavily as well.

]]> By: Doc Rock http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155738 Doc Rock Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:24:59 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155738 This 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. This 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.

]]> By: theduckmanz http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155730 theduckmanz Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:24:03 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155730 This 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. This 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.

]]> By: barfly http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155728 barfly Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:24:02 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155728 It was ever thus. What do you guys think goes on at VFW posts, anyway? It was ever thus.

What do you guys think goes on at VFW posts, anyway?

]]> By: Buckie Boy http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155720 Buckie Boy Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:21:54 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155720 Well, l certainly didn't see that one coming......duh. Well, l certainly didn’t see that one coming……duh.

]]> By: hussein toasterhead http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155694 hussein toasterhead Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:16:36 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155694 Well, that's great news! With all these veterans self-medicating, it'll save the VA millions in PTSD treatment costs! Well, that’s great news! With all these veterans self-medicating, it’ll save the VA millions in PTSD treatment costs!

]]> By: Luis M http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/comment-page-1/#comment-5155676 Luis M Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:13:08 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/13/alcohol-abuse-rises-among-iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans/#comment-5155676 ...and several years later you end up with people like the Washington sniper. …and several years later you end up with people like the Washington sniper.

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