More than 1 in 10 veterans are diagnosed with a substance use disorder. This is slightly higher than the general population. Both active-duty and retired members of the military can face substance use issues. The stress of training, deployment, adjusting to coming back home, and other aspects of military culture and life can all play a role in the substance use difference between military service members and civilians.
Service members who have experienced multiple deployments, combat-related injuries, and combat zone exposure are at a higher risk of developing a substance use issue. Additionally, the military has zero-tolerance policies, confidentiality issues, and a stigma surrounding substance use that creates barriers to identifying and treating substance use issues among military service members.
While substance abuse sometimes doesn’t present a problem until life becomes unmanageable, it’s important for those struggling to know that help is available to those who seek it.
At Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard, we will be holding our Overdose Awareness Event on September 23, 2022. This annual event is focused on education, training, and providing resources to veterans struggling with substance abuse and to those who are close to someone struggling with these issues. The schedule for this event includes:
11:00 – 11:30- Registration
11:30 – 12:30- Programming
12:30 – 1:30- Lunch
1:00 – 3:00- Vendor Outreach and Activity
3:00 – Regular VRC Transporation
We welcome you to join us at this event to help save the lives of veterans by learning how to help them at any stage of use, abuse, addiction, and recovery. Contact us today for more information.
