Drug & Alcohol Addiction Among Navy Veterans: Treatment & Resources 

Veterans, including Navy Veterans, often struggle with higher rates of substance misuse and addiction than the general population.¹ If you are a Navy Veteran who’s struggling, you are not alone. If you want to regain control of your life, you can benefit from learning more about how specialized Navy Veteran addiction treatment programs can help. Understand the unique challenges navy veterans may face with addiction, and how to find help can be pivotal first steps in achieving recovery. 

Drug & Alcohol Use Among Navy Veterans

According to one study, substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs) are one of the most costly and detrimental health conditions affecting Veterans, including Navy Veterans.²  Navy Veteran substance use disorder can result in numerous adverse effects to a person’s physical and mental health, and negatively impact their occupational and personal functioning.² 

Compared to the general population, Navy Veterans may struggle with substance misuse and addiction in unique ways, which may be influenced by the unique nature of their work.¹ Different conditions and factors play a role in drug and alcohol addiction among Navy Veterans, such as pain due to injury, suicide risk, trauma, and homelessness.¹ Unfortunately, many Veterans may feel fearful of seeking help due to stigmatization or the overall culture of the military.¹

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicates that about 1 in 10 returning Veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who were seen in VA have a problem with alcohol or other drugs.³ Although Veterans from all branches can struggle with substance misuse and SUDs, one study found that members of the Navy were less likely to screen positive for alcohol use and drug use.4 Approximately 47% of Army respondents and 45% of Marines screened positive for alcohol use compared with 26% of both Air Force and Navy respondents, while 7.4% of Marines and 3.4% of Army respondents screened positive for drug use, compared with < 1% of Air Force or Navy respondents.⁴ 

It’s also important to note that co-occurring disorders like PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, can influence substance misuse and addiction.³ The VA reports that more than 2 out of 10 Veterans with an SUD also have PTSD.³

Navy Veterans & PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe mental health condition characterized by a range of persistent symptoms and reactions to a traumatic event, such as witnessing someone being killed.⁵ Symptoms can include re-experiencing the trauma, avoiding people associated with the trauma, avoiding talking or thinking about the event, and hyperarousal, such as constantly feeling on edge or being easily startled.⁵ Due to military risk factors that can increase the chances of witnessing or suffering trauma, PTSD is slightly more common among Veterans, including Navy Veterans, than among civilians.⁶

The term co-occurring disorder, also known as dual diagnosis, refers to the presence of an addiction alongside a mental health condition.⁷ PTSD can influence a person’s risk for addiction, and vice versa, and each condition can impact the outcome of the other.⁷

Various theories exist to help explain why SUDs and PTSD often occur together. One study by the VA discusses three models, which includes:⁸

• The self-medication model, which theorizes that people use drugs or alcohol way to manage their PTSD symptoms. 
• The susceptibility model, in which the long-term administration of drugs or alcohol can negatively impact a person’s ability to process trauma, thereby worsening PTSD symptoms. 
• The mutual maintenance model, in which people use drugs or alcohol to reduce symptoms of PTSD, but ongoing substance use maintains or worsens PTSD symptoms because it interferes with the emotional processing of the trauma. 

Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder in The Navy

Navy Veterans may misuse substances for a variety of reasons, some of which are specific to the specialized nature of their jobs, and these reasons can persist after active duty ends.^{1, 2}

Some of the risk factors for Navy alcohol addiction or drug addiction include:^{1, 2}

• Combat exposure. 
• Multiple deployments. 
• Physical injury. 
• Psychological trauma. 
• Reintegration challenges. 

Navy Veteran Addiction Treatment Options & Resources

Navy and other Veterans often do not receive treatment even when they need it due to limited access to treatment, gaps in insurance coverage, stigma, fear of negative consequences, and lack of confidential services.¹ However, it’s important to know that specialized rehab programs are available that focus on treating Veterans of the Navy and addiction and their unique needs. These programs have been shown to be effective and may help increase the chances of positive treatment outcomes.¹ 

VA Rehab for Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment

The VA provides addiction and co-occurring disorder treatment and healthcare coverage for Navy Veterans.⁹ Treatment may take place at a VA facility or through the VA’s Community Care providers.^{9, 10} The VA pays for treatment at a Community Care provider when the VA is unable to provide care at one of their facilities.¹⁰

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a Community Care provider, and we offer specialized treatment programs for Veterans struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders. 

Start Your Recovery Today

If you’re a Navy Veteran who’s struggling, or you know someone who is, you should know that specialized Veterans treatment programs can help. These programs have staff who know what you’re going through, and many staff members are Veterans themselves. You can visit the Recovery.org directory to search through thousands of facilities that offer veterans programs. 

AAC also offers Veterans programs at our Desert Hope and River Oaks locations. For more information, please contact our free, confidential, and no-obligation hotline at . Our admissions navigators can help you access treatment and verify your insurance benefits right away.