Looking back in history, drug and alcohol abuse has been linked to war—as far back as the Civil War, when morphine was used for wounded troops on the battlefield. Then after World Wars I and II, stimulants and alcohol use became prevalent among military service personnel. In the Vietnam War, many of the troops were introduced to marijuana and heroin; the problem became so bad that on June 11, 1971, President Nixon started the military drug urinalysis program to identify service members returning from Vietnam for drug rehabilitation.

The November 10, 2005, issue of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health Report (NSDUH) stated, “In 2003, an estimated 3.5 percent of veterans used marijuana in the past month compared with 3.0 percent of their nonveteran counterparts.” This statistic shows an increase in use of marijuana for veterans compared to nonveterans. Also according to the same report, “Past month heavy use of alcohol was more prevalent among veterans (7.5 percent) than comparable nonveterans (6.5 percent),” and “An estimated 0.8 percent of veterans received specialty treatment for a substance use disorder (alcohol or illicit drugs) in the past year compared with 0.5 percent of comparable nonveterans.” These findings demonstrate that veterans are more at risk for problems with drugs and alcohol, but they get more treatment than their nonveteran counterparts do. Many of our U.S. Armed Forces who are fighting this “hidden battle” of substance abuse and addiction represent unsung heroes of our military.

Many are civilians who either once served in the armed forces or have a personal connection to our troops: They are substance use disorders counselors. They serve our military in a most selfless way, providing guidance, support and clinical interventions to our military troops. They serve to honor and protect those who honor and protect our country. CAADAC has been honored to have among us so many military and civilian counselors. We pay homage to those who serve our troops. We salute all of our military substance abuse counselors. Without their love, commitment, dedication and loyalty, many of our military men, women and families would be left in the wake of destruction that substance abuse and addiction leaves behind. Because of those who serve our veterans, our troops and their families have the ability to enter recovery from substance use disorders that would otherwise destroy a multitude of lives and families every day.

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