Military service demands strength, resilience, and sacrifice. Yet for many veterans, the transition from service to civilian life brings unseen battles, trauma, stress, chronic pain, and emotional isolation. These challenges can increase vulnerability to substance abuse, leaving many veterans struggling with addiction without knowing where to turn.
Military culture, with its ingrained drinking customs and attitudes, can contribute to substance use issues among service members and veterans. Additionally, combat exposure is a significant factor, as traumatic experiences during deployment increase the risk of developing PTSD and substance misuse.
At Big Sky Treatment, we believe veterans deserve understanding, respect, and specialized care that honors their service while addressing the unique roots of addiction. More than one in ten veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, a rate slightly higher than the general population. Recovery is not only possible, but it’s achievable with the right support, environment, and treatment approach.
Veterans with PTSD and substance abuse issues are at an increased risk of homelessness, suicide, and other unfortunate outcomes.
Why Veterans Are at Higher Risk for Addiction and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Veterans often face complex physical and psychological stressors that contribute to substance use disorders. These experiences can overlap and intensify over time, making early intervention critical. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 11% of veterans who visit a VA medical facility for the first time have a substance use disorder (SUD), and more than 20% of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also have SUD.
Common contributing factors include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often developing after exposure to traumatic events such as combat or sexual trauma
- Depression and anxiety
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Chronic pain from service-related injuries
- Difficulty reintegrating into civilian life
- Loss of structure, identity, or community
- Co-occurring disorders, where mental illness and substance use disorders appear together
- Mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Traumatic events experienced during service or combat
Both male veterans and female veterans face unique prevalence and treatment challenges, including mental health problems, co-occurring disorders, and barriers to treatment. Female veterans may also experience sexual trauma and additional obstacles in accessing care.
Active duty military personnel and active duty service members are also at risk for drug and alcohol dependence due to exposure to traumatic events and the potential to develop PTSD. Veterans who have experienced trauma, have a PTSD diagnosis or were hospitalized or injured during combat are at increased risk for drinking or drug use.
Many veterans may be reluctant to seek treatment for addiction and mental health issues due to stigma and fear of negative consequences. The stigma associated with seeking help can discourage veterans from accessing the support they need.
Without proper veterans addiction help, substances can become a way to cope, until coping turns into dependency.
If you or a loved one is a veteran seeking support, reach out through our contact form to explore compassionate treatment options.
Understanding Substance Use Disorder in Veterans
Veterans Struggling With Addiction Need Specialized Care
Drug and alcohol abuse among veterans is rarely isolated; it’s often intertwined with trauma, grief, or untreated mental health conditions. Effective treatment must address both substance use and underlying causes. Evidence-based therapies are crucial in treating veterans with co-occurring disorders, as they are proven to be effective and can be tailored to individual needs.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers programs specifically designed for veterans seeking treatment for both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders such as PTSD and depression. Treatment options for veterans include behavioral therapy, which helps manage the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to substance use. In addition to VA resources, specialized treatment centers are available both within and outside the VA health care system, providing comprehensive care for veterans struggling with drug or alcohol use.
At Big Sky Treatment, we take a whole-person approach, recognizing that recovery is physical, emotional, and psychological. Veterans benefit from trauma-informed care that respects their experiences while empowering them to rebuild a meaningful life.
Veterans Addiction Help That Goes Beyond Detox
Evidence-Based Therapy and Addiction Treatment Programs Meet Experiential Healing
Big Sky Treatment provides comprehensive addiction help for veterans through individualized outpatient and intensive outpatient programs. Our approach blends clinical therapies with experiential methods that resonate deeply with many veterans.
Treatment options include:
- Individual and group counseling
- Trauma-informed and dual-diagnosis care
- Experiential therapies such as outdoor activities and hands-on skill building
- Relapse prevention and coping strategies
- Family involvement and education
- Aftercare planning for long-term recovery
Our Montana setting has VA facilities that offers a calm, grounded environment where veterans can reconnect with themselves and rediscover purpose beyond addiction.
Help for Veterans With Drug Addiction: Building a Path Forward
Outpatient Care Designed for Real Life
For many veterans, flexibility is key. Big Sky Treatment offers outpatient services that allow individuals to receive effective care while maintaining family, work, or community responsibilities. This structure supports accountability while respecting independence, an important factor for many former service members.
Whether someone is early in recovery or returning after relapse, help for veterans with drug and alcohol problems should meet them where they are, not where they’re expected to be.
Addiction Support for Veterans Through Community and Connection
No One Recovers Alone
Isolation is one of the greatest barriers to recovery. That’s why addiction treatment for veterans must include connection to peers, clinicians, family, and community.
At Big Sky Treatment, veterans find:
- Peer support rooted in shared understanding
- Therapists trained in trauma-responsive care
- A nonjudgmental environment built on trust and dignity
- Long-term support that extends beyond treatment
Recovery becomes stronger when veterans know they are seen, heard, and supported. You don’t have to face addiction alone! Reach out through our contact form and take the first step toward lasting recovery.
Resources Available for Veterans in Recovery
In addition to treatment programs, veterans may benefit from:
- VA-supported healthcare and counseling services
- Veteran peer support groups
- Family therapy and education
- Community-based recovery networks
Homeless veterans and homeless adults face particularly high rates of substance use disorders, with about 70% of homeless veterans experiencing substance abuse problems. Veterans who experience homelessness are more likely to have substance use disorders compared to the general population.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, close to 30% of veterans report using tobacco products, such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco, and veterans are more likely to use tobacco than their non-veteran counterparts in nearly all age groups. The Veterans Administration and Veterans Affairs play a crucial role in providing outreach and support for homeless veterans and military veterans, including initiatives focused on opioid safety and suicide prevention. Veterans with PTSD, especially those who served in the armed forces, have unique needs that require targeted programs and specialized support services.
Big Sky Treatment works collaboratively with veterans and families to help navigate available resources while providing consistent, personalized care.
Honoring Service Through Healing
Veterans have given so much in service to others, including getting combat related injuries and mental health issues. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness; it’s an act of courage. For veterans struggling with substance abuse issues, recovery is a continuation of strength, discipline, and resilience.
Big Sky Treatment, we are honored to support veterans as they heal, grow, and reclaim control of their lives. We work closely with Veterans Affairs and accept a range of insurance coverage options to help make high-quality care more accessible. Through evidence-based treatment, experiential healing, and unwavering compassion, recovery becomes more than possible; it becomes sustainable.
Start your recovery journey today. Complete our contact form to speak with an admissions specialist who understands veterans’ needs.
