The process of recovering from addiction is long and arduous for veterans and civilians alike. Along with the many mental health maladies we’ve discussed (PTSD, depression, etc.), addiction takes its toll in a pronounced way against those who’ve been through difficult military service. Fortunately, there are ways to counter addiction, beginning with these five helpful tips.
5 Tips for Veterans in Addiction Recovery
- Treat Addiction Like a Disease – Many addictions, like drugs, alcohol, and pornography, can literally re-wire a person’s brain. They involve a dopamine response so intense that it requires them to have something or else suffer massive withdrawal symptoms. Since it reaches such extreme severity, one must approach it with the same conviction as a cancer patient. Don’t forget that some addictions can be deadly or at least shorten an otherwise normal lifespan.
- Beware of Non-Substance Addictions, Too – While drugs and alcohol may be the first items that come to mind, there are other ways to suffer addiction. If you are a friend or relative of a veteran, keep an eye out for potential addictions like reckless gambling, excessive video-game playing, and even over-exercising.
- Focus on Recovery Options Without Enabling – This part is tricky because it’s possible for a veteran’s loved ones to enable an addiction inadvertently, in the name of compassion. We have to be very careful about how we handle whatever’s addictive to the person or we risk triggering lots of unintended consequences. Furthermore, it’s fine to offer financial support to those who are struggling with addiction, provided you can be sure they don’t use the money to exacerbate it.
- Don’t Lose Focus After Relapses – All self-improvement efforts come with the risk of relapse. This holds true for everything from dieting programs all the way to breaking the most debilitating addictions. So, for those who experience a setback (minor or major), it’s important not to beat oneself up too much, but instead “get back on the horse,” so to speak and try again.
- Prepare for a Lifelong Struggle – Many recovering addicts can never ever return to their addictive habits. Many folks who struggle with alcohol, for example, cannot resume a “moderate” use of it because even just the sight of a liquor bottle could present an occasion for relapse.
SRQ Vets would like to reaffirm its commitment to help any veterans around Sarasota or Bradenton, especially those suffering from difficult addictions. If you’d like to learn more about this topic, or discover many other ways to assist local vets, then contact us anytime at 941-777-8387.
