Stress and Treatment for Military Members

People who serve in the military encounter unique experiences and endure many stresses both during and after service. Veterans and active military members deserve to see providers that understand what they go through. People who have served in the military have experienced things that most civilians may not have. This may cause them to feel alone in their stressors and struggles. Having specialized providers for veterans and members of the military allows us to provide treatment that will make a direct difference in our clients' lives. West Coast Recovery Centers believes that care should be personalized to you and your life. This approach helps make sure that the changes we make together are long-term. 

Military members are more likely than the average American to turn to substances to cope with their stress and mental health. This may be because of the stigma of mental health issues in the military, which causes isolation from their peers. Isolation serves to cause mental health to get worse, and in turn, can worsen substance use disorder (SUD). People with military experience may have higher levels of stress. It is important to find a treatment facility that works to understand who you are and make a difference in your life personally. Being able to offer personalized treatment for everyone means having treatment that will make a difference for military members. 

Stress for Military Members

Veterans and military members may experience higher levels of stress than the average person. Oftentimes military personnel may experience intense or traumatic things, which can higher their stress and worsen their mental health. Mental health issues in the military at times may feel stigmatized. Veterans may feel ashamed for reaching out due to stress or symptoms of something like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People on active duty may feel ostracized to admit they are struggling mentally. Meanwhile, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), over half of military members surveyed have said they feel that seeking mental health help would negatively affect their military career. 

Due to this stigma and the stress that military members endure, mental health issues can be exacerbated. Experiencing high-stress situations without an outlet to work through the feelings that come with it is unhealthy. This stress can build up and be harmful long-term. The stress of the military may cause people to get worse if they do not have healthy outlets. 

This stress may cause someone to turn to unhealthy activities to mask their feelings. The main reason that people may turn to substances is to cope with negative feelings and memories. If people feel like they shouldn't get help, or let people know how they are doing, they may end up feeling like they have nowhere to turn but substance usage.

Addiction in the Military

Someone may develop a SUD when their usage is unable to be stopped or controlled on their own. As NIDA states, "More than one in 10 Veterans who seek care at the U.S. Veteran’s Administration meet the criteria to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder”. This is slightly higher than the rate of the general public. The higher rate of SUDs puts military members at a higher health risk and in need of specialized care. SUDs can be dangerous to someone's long-term health. If unchecked, addiction can even be fatal.

When someone struggles with an SUD, they need to seek treatment to help work through the underlying issues addiction may cause. Oftentimes people are unable to stop their addictions on their own. Military members may feel shame for seeking help and treatment for mental health and SUD. Finding a care facility that can understand the nuances of military life will help in getting into recovery.

Treatment and Recovery

At West Coast Recovery Centers, we provide specialized treatment to military members, veterans, and even their families. This care is built on providers who have worked to understand the experiences of military members. The unique stress of people who have served should be treated with respect, as well as compassion. We aim to offer a judgment-free zone that works with our clients and understands their personal experiences. The stress of the military and service affects not just the veteran or active duty member, but the family as well. We are versed in helping dependents and military members find a treatment that works for them.

Treatment for SUD and mental health struggles may feel overwhelming, but we aim to make it more accessible. Learning about you and the life you have lived will help to tailor your treatment and make a difference in your life. We offer many different types of treatment that are the most accessible for military clients. There are outpatient programs that can work with your schedules and requirements if clinically possible. We also aim to offer affordable treatment that is in-network with providers accessible to the Veterans Administration and other military insurance providers.

Military members and veterans experience many different types of stress. Sometimes this stress can cause people to turn to unhealthy coping skills, such as substance usage. Getting treatment for SUD can be overwhelming no matter who you are. That is why it is important to find a treatment facility that makes a difference and understands you personally. People in the military may be worried about stigma when receiving treatment as well as external judgment. We offer treatment tailored especially for military members and their families, focused on the unique stressors they may face. If you are interested in learning more about what we offer military members, get in contact with West Coast Recovery Centers today at (760) 492-6509.