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Veterans Substance Use Disorder

What is Substance Use Disorder?

Often referred to as "addiction," substance use disorder (SUD) is a disease that causes people to have difficulty controlling their use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances, including opioids. Untreated, this misuse can begin to influence many aspects of life.

Substance use can be a slippery slope, especially for those facing other challenges, including mental health concerns or life stressors. For instance, when people are stressed, anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed, they may be more likely to have trouble controlling alcohol and drug use. Despite the temporary relief a substance may seem to provide, increased substance use can lead to harmful consequences.

Getting Help

Substance use can be a slippery slope, especially for those facing other challenges, including mental health concerns or life stressors. For instance, when people are stressed, anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed, they may be more likely to have trouble controlling alcohol and drug use. Despite the temporary relief a substance may seem to provide, increased substance use can lead to harmful consequences.

VA has developed a brief questionnaire to help Veterans identify possible signs or symptoms of a substance use disorder. Your results will be completely confidential, and the results will not be stored or sent anywhere — this self-assessment is simply to help you. You will have the option to print a copy of the results, either for your own records or to share with your physician or a mental health professional. If you think you may be showing symptoms of SUD, consider taking VA's brief, anonymous questionnaire.

Resources

Educational Resources

This site answers health questions by bringing together information from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

While the national observance takes place in September, this site, part of SAMHSA, provides resources throughout the year to promote the societal benefits of treatment for SUD.

This site provides information about drug use, drug-related legislation, and more.

This campaign, part of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, provides easy-to-read, research-based information on drinking habits and how they may affect your health, along with support for making a change.

The publications section of this national authority on SUD offers fact sheets, videos, brochures, and more.

This resource from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has information on the latest research-based treatments and what to consider when choosing from among them.

Mutual Help Organizations

This international fellowship supports anyone with an alcohol use disorder.

Modeled closely after Alcoholics Anonymous, this 12-step program is dedicated to addressing the challenges of cocaine use.

This organization supports those seeking to stop using marijuana.

This fellowship offers an opportunity for people who have used crystal meth to share their experiences — and their strength and support.

This international, community-based association of people recovering from drug use sponsors nearly 76,000 weekly meetings in 143 countries.

Support for Friends and Family

This fellowship offers support and resources for friends and family members of people who drink excessively and struggle with addiction.

These groups provide support and resources for people with a loved one who uses drugs.

The center offers Community Reinforcement and Family Training, an online course for family members of Veterans seeking treatment or in treatment for alcohol or drug misuse.

This international program aims to help people recover from SUD as well as reduce risky behaviors like gambling. SMART Recovery sponsors face-to-face meetings around the world and daily online meetings.

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