The more that we know about veteran’s substance abuse treatment needs, the better job we can do to collectively ensure that our nation’s heroes get the specialized treatment and care they need and deserve. A new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report provides further insight for policy makers and providers moving forward.
According to the report, when compared to their civilian counterparts, veterans between the ages of 21 and 39 who seek substance abuse treatment are:

More likely to report alcohol as their primary substance of abuse (50.7 vs. 34.4 percent)
Less …

Written By: Rashetta Fairnot, Public Health Advisor, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
On Monday, July 9, we hosted a Recovery Month Twitter chat about “Access to Behavioral Health Care for Military Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families.” I was joined by our co-hosts: retired Navy Reserve Captain Kathryn Power, SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiative Lead for Military Families and Regional Administrator from Region 1, and MSG Stephanie Weaver, National Guard Liaison to SAMHSA.  The conversation focused on military families and especially those service members recently returning home and their navigation of the behavioral health system. …

Written By: Rashetta Fairnot, Public Health Advisor, Consumer Affairs, CSAT
As Independence Day approaches, our nation reflects on its freedom and we look to honor the military service members and veterans who keep us safe. Since September 11, 2001, more than 2.3 million American military personnel have been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, or both.  Although the vast majority of returning service members successfully transition back home, 18.5 percent of returning service members do meet criteria for either post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. Unless treated, these types of behavioral health issues have …

Cross-posted from HHS News: Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects 1 in 29 Americans, from our country’s service men and women to abused children and survivors of rape, domestic violence and natural disasters.  During PTSD Awareness Month in June, and throughout the year, we recognize the millions of Americans who experience this challenging and debilitating condition.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that some people develop after seeing or living through an event that caused or threatened serious harm or death. PTSD may result …

Are strategies the same for preventing substance abuse and supporting recovery for service members, veterans and their families as they are for the civilian population?
You can find out on June 7th, from 2:00-3:30 (ET).  SAMHSA’s Military Families Strategic Initiative Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) Technical Assistance Center is hosting a webinar that will provide suggestions for approaching the issue of substance abuse prevention and recovery support, addressing gaps, and removing barriers to building systems that are informed by military culture.  Michelle Cleary, Project Associate for the SMVF TA …