The American Bar Association had an article in its GP|Solo magazine -- devoted to general practitioners, solo and small firm practitioners -- late last year about "Returning Veterans." It's a decent article, covering a variety of topics, from legal services for vets to what happens to lawyers who serve in combat and then need to come back and rebuild their own practices. Sections of the article address, in a somewhat generic but still helpful way, PTSD, Substance Abuse, and Domestic and Personal Challenges. It also lists resources for returning vets who struggle with these issues. Here's what it has to say about problems with substance abuse, a real threat to veterans as a form of self-medication for PTSD and combat trauma:
Substance Abuse
In addition to traumatic stress reactions—and frequently as a means of self-medication to cope with these reactions—veterans may struggle with alcohol and drug abuse or dependence. The military is a zero-tolerance drug-free workplace for both enlisted troops and civilian employees. Regulations state that “drug abuse will not be tolerated and there are serious consequences for such misbehavior.” The Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), created by AR600-85, engages in prevention, enforcement (random drug testing is standard), and treatment. Soldiers identified as drug abusers are referred for clinical screening but are also subject to administrative separation, non-judicial punishment, or courts-martial. Those involved in alcohol-related misconduct are referred to ASAP for clinical screening and may be referred to alcohol and drug abuse prevention training, sent to another agency (clergy or marriage counselors), or sent to ASAP rehabilitation treatment, with a possibility of disciplinary action.
At the same time, servicemembers are encouraged to self-report their substance abuse issues. They can receive treatment, and the negative actions that can be taken against them are limited. Attorneys may draw comparisons between the dual enforcement/treatment structures of ASAP and state bar associations that maintain bar discipline (enforcement) programs as well as voluntary, confidential lawyer assistance programs.
Whether self-reporting or mandated to treatment, it’s important to note that 12-Step meetings (such as Alcoholics Anonymous) are available on military bases and among deployed servicemembers, carrying on a tradition of recovery that began in 1935 and was road-tested in World War II.
After discharge, returning veterans can receive treatment for substance abuse from the Veterans Administration (VA). It’s helpful to note that these benefits are not limited to newly returning vets. When alcohol or drug abuse has depleted an individual’s financial resources, determining eligibility for veterans’ health benefits can be a lifesaver when the cost of long-term residential treatment would otherwise be prohibitive.
It also lists some resources for coping with these issues:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA’s publications on veterans include several short reports from the Agency’s Office of Applied Studies (OAS). Recent reports include Substance Use, Dependence, and Treatment Among Veterans and Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Risk Behaviors Among Veterans (see SAMHSA News , January/February 2006). Visit SAMHSA’s website at www.oas.samhsa.gov/topics.cfm for a complete list under the topic “veterans.” Other SAMHSA resources include:
SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center
800/789-2647 (toll-free)
240/276-2550
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
800/729-6686 (toll-free)
800/487-4889 (TDD) (toll-free)
800/767-8432 (Spanish) (toll-free)
www.ncadi.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
800/662-HELP (4357) (toll-free)
(English and Spanish)
800/487-4889 (TDD) (toll-free)
