Substance Abuse in the Coast Guard

Substance Abuse in the Coast Guard

Recognizing the warning signs of substance abuse in yourself and others may help you better understand when it is time to seek help. Members of the armed forces may be at higher risk of developing problematic patterns of drinking than the civilian population, though rates of drug abuse among active duty personnel are relatively low.^1,4

Alcohol Abuse 

Alcohol misuse is higher in the armed forces than it is in the civilian population.¹ Potential signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include:²

• Strong cravings for alcohol.
• Medical issues such as high blood pressure and gastrointestinal effects.
• Blackouts and memory loss.
• Neglecting personal and professional relationships and responsibilities.

Members of the Coast Guard have higher rates of binge drinking than the Army and the Air Force, but lower rates than members of the Navy and Marines.³ In 2011, a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) survey found that nearly a third of service members reported binge drinking within the last month; other research indicates that the prevalent patterns of alcohol misuse have remained relatively unchanged among military personnel for the past 20 years.¹ Enlisted service members and those with lower officer ranks may be more likely to binge drink than those with the highest officer ranks (O4-O10).¹

Drug Abuse

In 2015, illicit drug use was estimated to be relatively less prevalent in the armed forces (1% across all branches of service) than it was in the general population (roughly 22%).⁴ The misuse of certain types of prescription medications, such as sedatives and opioid painkillers, is lower in the Coast Guard than other branches of service.³ The risk of illicit drug use increases, however, when a member separates from active duty:⁴

• Illicit drug use was reported in 1.7% of Veterans.
• Heroin accounts for nearly 11% of Veteran admissions to substance use treatment.

Co-Occurring Mental Health Issues in the U.S. Coast Guard

Previous epidemiological studies have estimated some of the more prevalent mental health issues among service members to be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (13-15%),⁵ depression (12-33%), and anxiety (9.9%).⁶ Approximately 63% of Veterans who are diagnosed with substance abuse also meet the criteria for PTSD.⁴

Addiction with Co-Occurring Illness

A person who simultaneously struggles with both mental illness and substance is said to have a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring issues may be as common as they are, in part, because many people who are dealing with a mental illness such as PTSD or depression might use substances in an attempt to self-medicate adverse symptoms. Research shows that of those Veterans dealing with a severe mental illness:⁷

• 34% additionally struggled with binge drinking.
• 23% concurrently used marijuana.
• Nearly 9% misused opiate drugs.

While some may turn to drugs and alcohol to manage the troublesome symptoms of certain mental illnesses, it may only serve, in the longer run, to worsen mental and physical health issues.

Stigmas and Asking for Help

The potential stigma that an individual may face while seeking help for mental health or substance abuse while serving in the military may be related to the strong perception that our service members are supposed to be strong warriors.¹

Laws outlined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) have a zero-tolerance policy for illicit drug use.⁸ If laws are broken, a service member can be discharged from service.⁸ As a Veteran, the laws outlined in the UCMJ no longer impact your eligibility for receiving benefits and the laws of HIPAA will apply.

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) provides treatment at all levels of care including inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient, group therapy, individual therapy, and medication management for mental illness and substance abuse.

VA Substance Abuse Assessment

The VA provides screening tools for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse. These screening tools rely on self-report and ask questions about previous substance use and substance-related thoughts and behaviors. Once you have completed the screening, you will receive a score that is ranked from high to low in terms of your risk of health and other problems related to your current substance use.

Addiction Treatment Facilities for Veterans

Substance abuse treatment for Veterans is available. The services available to you will depend on your Veteran status; in some instances, waitlists may be necessary.

Thanks to the MISSION Act, Veterans have access to community care providers. One of those providers is American Addiction Centers (AAC). Learn more about how VA benefits can make rehab more affordable.

What is the Veteran Program?

AAC provides care for Veterans through the Veteran program. This program is focused on the experiences and unique challenges Veterans may have faced during their military service. Our programs provide treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues. Our treatment team, including medical and mental health professionals, will work with you to create a unique recovery program tailored to your individual needs.

The stresses and traumas that many Veterans experience during their service can increase the risk of problematic substance use and certain mental health issues. The good news is it doesn’t have to be a life-long struggle. Help is available for Veterans. Start down the road to recovery—call your local VA or AAC’s admission navigators today to learn more about your treatment options.

Reviews for the Veteran Program