Substance use disorder (SUD) is a diagnosed mental health condition that causes people to have difficulty controlling their use of alcohol or drugs such as opioids. Untreated, this unhealthy use can begin to have negative effects on many aspects of life.
“Substance use disorder” is a term that covers a broad range of substances. A clinical diagnosis may specify the type of SUD, such as alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, opioid use disorder or stimulant use disorder.
Veteran populations are at increased risk for using alcohol or drugs, often due to a variety of experiences linked directly to military service. Military culture, exposure to stressors and trauma related to service or combat, the development of mental health disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain or physical health issues can influence substance use.
Statistics on Substance Abuse
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2.8 million Veterans—14 percent of all U.S. Veterans—reported having at least one substance use disorder in the previous year. Ninety-six percent of those Veterans did not think they needed treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of SUD
- Increased urge to drink or to use drugs.
- Inability to stop drinking or using drugs.
- Drinking or using drugs in hazardous situations (for example, drinking and driving).
- Changes in relationships that are due to drinking or drug use.
- Feeling sick and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when drinking or drug use stops.
- Increased tolerance, which refers to the need over time for more alcohol or greater amounts of drugs to achieve the desired effect.
VA and Substance Use Programs
The VA provides options for Veterans seeking treatment for substance use problems ranging from unhealthy alcohol use to life-threatening addiction. These include:
Medical options:
- Medically managed detoxification to stop substance use safely, and services to get stable
- Drug substitution therapies and newer medicines to reduce cravings (like methadone and buprenorphine for opiate addiction)
- Nicotine replacement or other medicines for stopping tobacco use
Counseling and therapy options:
- Short-term outpatient counseling
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Marriage and family counseling
- Self-help groups
- Residential (live-in) care
- Continuing care and relapse prevention
- Special programs for Veterans with specific concerns such as women Veterans, returning combat Veterans, and homeless Veterans
Treatment and support for health conditions that can be related to substance use problems, such as:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
If you have a VA primary care provider, talk to them about your substance use.
If you don’t have a VA primary care provider or have never been seen in a VA hospital or clinic:
- Find a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) program near you, or
- Call the general information hotline at 800-827-1000, or
- Contact your local VA medical center: Find a VA medical center near you
To learn more about treatment options and services, visit the VA’s Substance Use and Treatment Resource page.
