Military PTSD, Addiction and Suicide

The Veterans Administration calculated that in 2017, seventeen United States veterans chose to end their life each day that year. Those fatalities are of male and female veterans who served in active duty. An additional average of 2.5 veterans who never served in active duty also chose suicide each day.

Suicide has many different causes including depression or other mental health issues, but a major factor often related to suicidality is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Of those people who have had a diagnosis of PTSD at some point during their lifetime, an average of 27% have attempted suicide. About 24% of all military personnel diagnosed with PTSD reported suicidal thoughts within the past year.

A report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that up to 20% of veterans serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and about 12% of the Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans have PTSD. Also, about 30% of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD. Military PTSD is caused primarily by combat trauma, however, another cause of PTSD in the military can be military sexual trauma (MST). This is any sexual harassment or sexual assault that occurs while in the military. MST can happen to men or women and can occur during peacetime, training, or war.

Experiencing multiple incidents of trauma raises risk factors associated with PTSD. Depression is common following trauma and can lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that can cause suicidal thoughts. Often, in an attempt to alleviate memories of traumatic experiences or to stop thoughts of suicide, self-medication in the form of alcohol or substances is used. Temporarily, numbing with substances seems to be a viable solution.

Professional treatment can help deal with both the alcohol and drug addiction and PTSD. Hopelessness can be overcome; healthy options are available to cope with trauma from the past and reclaim life and hope. Those who have served our country, deserve the opportunity to overcome the traumas they endured and find peace despite the occurrences in their pasts.

At Gulf Breeze Recovery we have a professional staff experienced in treating PTSD and substance abuse issues. We believe our military veterans deserve compassionate care to help them overcome their past and embrace their future.

Our professional clinical and medical staff are available to provide quality care for both substance abuse and PTSD treatment delivered with kindness and respect.

If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history of PTSD and/or alcohol or substance use and relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery  or call: 833.551.2356 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about our residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your individual needs. These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.