Veterans with Alcohol & Drug Addiction: Signs & Support

Substance Use

Overview

Over time, the unhealthy use of drugs or alcohol can cause changes in your brain that lead to an overwhelming desire to continue or increase your use of the substances—even when this usage threatens your life, harms your physical and mental health, ravages your relationships, or impairs your ability to work. These changes in the brain are part of what constitutes substance use disorder.

But people with substance use challenges can recover. Many treatments give people the ability to reduce or stop their use. Knowing how to identify and treat substance use disorder—and where to find treatment—will help put you, a family member or friend on the path to recovery and a better quality of life.

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a diagnosed mental health condition that causes people to have difficulty controlling their use of alcohol or drugs such as opioids. Untreated, this unhealthy use can begin to have negative effects on many aspects of life.

“Substance use disorder” is a term that covers a broad range of substances. A clinical diagnosis may specify the type of SUD, such as alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, opioid use disorder or stimulant use disorder.

Signs and symptoms of SUD

• Increased urge to drink or to use drugs.
• Inability to stop drinking or using drugs.
• Drinking or using drugs in hazardous situations (for example, drinking and driving).
• Changes in relationships that are due to drinking or drug use.
• Feeling sick and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when drinking or drug use stops.
• Increased tolerance, which refers to the need over time for more alcohol or greater amounts of drugs to achieve the desired effect.

For additional signs and symptoms related to the specific types of SUD, see the alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, opioid use disorder or stimulant use disorder pages.

Screening for SUD

Take this brief and anonymous questionnaire if you are concerned about your substance use. Your results are completely confidential and will not be stored or sent anywhere—this is simply a self-assessment for your own use. You will have the option to print a copy of the results, either for your records or to share with your physician or a mental health professional.

This screening tool is just a guide. If your result is positive or you have concerns about your substance use, even if the screening result is negative, reach out to your health care provider.

Harm reduction

Harm reduction refers to measures to reduce the dangers of substance use, including fatalities from drug overdoses. These measures are not a substitute for treatment and discontinuation of drug use, but they help keep Veterans alive and healthier until that can happen. Learn more about how to obtain and use these harm reduction tools, including:

• The medication naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses.
• Sterile needles to prevent HIV and hepatitis C infections.
• Test strips to identify drugs mixed with fentanyl or xylazine.

Treatment and next steps

No matter what you are experiencing, treatments and resources are available, and recovery is possible. VA offers evidence-based treatments for SUD  that are proven to be effective for most people. These scientifically tested and approved treatments may include therapies, medication or both. Treatments are available at your local VA medical center or clinic. In addition, assessment and treatment referral services are available at Vet Centers. 

Get started today by visiting our Treatment and Next Steps page, which will help you:

• Learn more about the treatment options.
• Schedule a mental health appointment with VA.
• Find local VA treatment programs.

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