Unfortunately, many veterans lose their lives because of addiction, drug overdose or suicide. This Memorial Day, millions of American families will take time to honor the memory of the men and women who lost their lives fighting in one of the nation’s wars. We must also never forget those veterans who lost their lives after returning home because of addiction or mental health disorders.

In Utah are over 130,000 veterans, most of whom are wartime vets. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 3.9 million veterans have a substance use disorder or mental illness.

Unfortunately, substance use disorders significantly increase suicidality among veterans ages 18 and older. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are also common among veterans ages 18 to 49.

“Early intervention is critical to save lives. Addiction and treatable. It’s also important for families to know where to find help and how to access it easily,” said Michael Leach of Addicted.org.

Numerous causative factors lead to drug and alcohol use among veterans. For instance, many vets struggle to adjust to civilian life. They may experience financial hardships, difficulty finding employment or accessing benefits.

Many other veterans struggle with mental and emotional health problems. This can often be compounded with physical injury or chronic pain. Untreated trauma, for example, leads to drug and alcohol use to cope with unwanted feelings.

There are also barriers when accessing treatment. Veterans living in rural areas have limited access to treatment. The cost of treatment and gaps in health insurance prove challenging for many vets. Stigma regarding addiction and mental health is still prominent.

Besides the usual resources provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the VA facility locator, other support options include:

• The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs supports veterans and their families.
• The Utah Veterans Alliance provides valuable links to help and resources for veterans.
• Helpful hotlines include the Veteran Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255, and the Lifeline for Vets, 1-888-777-4443.
• SAMHSA has a treatment facility locator where veterans can find specific resources and help in Utah.

Families also play a significant role in supporting their loved ones struggling with addiction. It’s OK to express concern about their drug and alcohol use. Speak to them openly and honestly about their addiction. Help them find treatment. Be patient and show compassion. Remember, addiction is treatable.

It’s never too late to offer a helping hand to a veteran and advocate for more community resources. When families and communities come together, amazing things can happen.

Veronica Raussin is a community outreach coordinator for Addicted.org, passionate about spreading awareness of the risks and dangers of alcohol and drug use.