Common Struggles Affecting Veterans

Addiction and mental health don't affect just one type of person. Understanding the needs of all of our clients allows us to give them the best quality of care. Treatment may feel overwhelming, especially for veterans and those in the military. When you come home from service and adjust back into life as a civilian, there may be feelings and symptoms that impact your daily life. Understanding the special needs of our veteran clients allows us to connect them to the best resources. At West Coast Recovery Centers, we offer comprehensive treatment for many, including those who have served in the military. 

Having a certain identity or background does not prevent you from experiencing struggles in mental health. Struggling is not a sign of weakness, nor is it something to be ashamed of. Many people who leave the military may experience difficulties once they adjust back to life at home. Understanding the risks and signs of struggles will help you know when you need to seek help. 

Common Struggles in Veterans

Understanding specific health needs that affect veterans allows us to work with you to find the specialized care you need. We can create a treatment plan around your individual struggles. While these issues aren't specific to veterans, it is important to note that veterans may be at higher risk for various types of struggles. 

People in the military are often taught to focus on their physical health. This allows them to learn the best way for them to stay in shape and focus on their health. Some of the issues that veterans struggle with may be physical. This can include things like vision and hearing loss due to threatening work environments. It may also include injuries that can come from deployment. These physical health struggles may be common to those who use their body or are in high-intensity situations in their military service. 

Mental health struggles can also be common in veterans. This can include disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, suicidal ideation, depression, and even substance abuse issues. Some veterans may develop mental health issues from not being able to handle what happened in the service. Being in unsafe situations, such as active combat, may cause veterans to develop trauma due to long-term experiences of intense stress. Stress related to military service may also cause some people to develop anxiety or depression. It is important to understand that you don't have to deal with these thoughts on your own, and treatment is available. 

Veterans and Addiction Recovery

Sometimes people with mental health issues may turn to substances to cope with their feelings. Veterans may be likely to experience addiction when working through their mental health issues. These situations may put your body into fight or flight mode and cause internal distress. Sometimes, remembering things that you have encountered in the service may make you feel overwhelmed. When people feel triggered without a healthy release for their problems, sometimes they may turn to substance use.

Substances provide a momentary relief from mental health struggles. This can make them appealing to use when things get too difficult to handle alone. When you use substances to handle symptoms of mental health struggles, you may quickly become dependent on them. Meanwhile, mental health struggles and addiction are not something to be ashamed of. 

No person is free from the risk of mental health struggles or addiction, no matter who they are or the life that they have lived. Being in the military may make you feel like you have to display a certain level of strength, but you are just human. Getting treatment can help you understand the best ways to care for yourself and keep yourself in recovery. 

The Importance of Getting Treatment

Sometimes people in and recently out of the military may feel ashamed about reaching out for help. This is because they are used to relying on themselves and working through very difficult situations on their own. Yet, in fact, treatment is the most effective way for each person to learn how to handle their struggles on their own. Finding a provider that you trust will give you the confidence to get help. West Coast Recovery Centers offers specialized treatment for our veterans and military members. This means understanding the individual issues that veterans struggle with. 

One effective treatment for many veterans is connecting them to a larger group or support network. These support networks help show that you are not alone in your struggles. As you connect with people who understand you, you can find solace in knowing that you are not the only one. These groups give people a chance to talk to someone who understands their specific struggles and can relate to their stories. 

It is important to understand that there are resources available for you as a veteran. Finding a treatment provider that understands the unique struggles and experiences of veterans will allow you to get the most helpful treatment. Working through the struggles that you have and the experiences you have been through will help you to lead a healthy life. People who have been in the military may experience physical health struggles, mental health issues, and addiction in recovery. These are nothing to be ashamed of. Finding providers that will give you the tools you need to live the best life is important on your journey. To learn more about resources for veterans, call West Coast Recovery Centers at (760) 492-6509.