Vietnam War Veterans

Effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on Addiction

Over 70% of the Vietnam Veterans have current serious problems with alcohol overuse or dependence.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder plays a substantial role in these veterans' alcohol problems, but the discrimination, isolation, and demoralization experienced by Vietnam Veterans is also a factor.

Alcohol is a tempting solution to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms such as nightmares ("drink yourself into a dreamless stupor"), unwanted memories and fears ("drink until your mind is blank"), anger and tension ("drink to take away the edge"), hopelessness and emotional numbness ("drink until you feel no pain"), and hyper-vigilance ("drink until you don't care anymore").

Unfortunately, excessive habitual use of alcohol causes a person to feel edgy, irritable, unable to concentrate, and more demoralized than ever.

Effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on Physical Health

American Indian Vietnam veterans reported the poorest physical health and the highest level of medical care use of any NVVRS or Matsunaga Project group. This may be partly due to chronic alcohol overuse, which often is associated with smoking and poor health habits.

However, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder also plays a role in poor physical health. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms such as restlessness, tension, irritability, anxiety, and poor sleep are exhausting and hard on the body. Culturally, it also may be more acceptable to disclose somatic problems and pains to family or medical providers than to admit emotional distress.

Physical illness more often results in sympathy and concern, while emotional distress may be mistakenly viewed (by the veteran, his family and community, or the medical provider) as a sign of weakness or lack of character. In fact, the emotional distress and poor physical health associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are both signs of a legitimate need for traditional healing and mainstream medical and mental-health care.

Steps toward Recovery for the Veteran and Family

Recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder involves several steps by which a veteran and family can begin to recover from the emotional wounds. Recovery also involves taking steps toward regaining a healthy, happy, and satisfying life:

• Talk frankly and privately to a trusted healer or counselor who is sensitive to the understandable feelings of guilt or embarrassment.

• Learn about psychological stress and trauma, for example by reading or by taking a class.

• Begin experimenting with small changes in your activities and lifestyle that give you a feeling of greater satisfaction, enjoyment, relaxation, and accomplishment. Every small step toward feeling more in control of your own destiny brings emotional renewal and genuine intimacy in relationships.

• Become involved with traditional teachers and healing ceremonies in your community. Rediscover traditions that have helped countless warriors return home, heal the wounds of war, and become vital members of their families and communities.

• Seek medical or mental-health help from your nearest Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center, Medical Center, Outpatient Clinic, or Veteran Benefits Office.

Tell Your Friends About This Web Site

The contents of this web site are Copyright © 2003 Otherground, LLC and Vietnam-War.info.
All Rights Reserved. Please review our Privacy Policy.

Vietnam War is the best Vietnam War information resource on the Internet. We offer information on Vietnam War History, Vietnam War Timeline, Vietnam War Facts, Vietnam War Myths, Vietnam War Figures, Vietnam War Battles, Vietnam War Weapons, Vietnam War Aircraft, Vietnam War Protests, Vietnam War Prisoners, Vietnam War Casualties, Vietnam War Quotes, Vietnam War Memorial, Vietnam War Veterans and more.

Help us make this site better - and have fun! Take our quick survey. Click here!