By Jody Boulay / For The Herald
Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. We attend parades, place flags at gravesites, and take quiet moments of reflection.
But beyond the ceremonies and speeches lies another, often invisible war, one that too many of our veterans and active-duty service members are still fighting: the fight against addiction. Confronting veteran addiction is no easy task. Countless vets struggle with substance use disorders, suicidal ideation and drug overdose.
The connection between military service and addiction is not often discussed, but it should be. The very nature of military life, long deployments, exposure to trauma, physical injuries and an ingrained culture of resilience create a perfect storm for emotional and psychological strain. But there are resources and — most importantly — a chance to create more dialogue about the issues.
According to census data, in 2022, 469,560 veterans were living in Washington state. While it is challenging to know how many locally struggle with addiction and mental health issues, there are some national and state trends among veterans and the general population.
Veteran suicide rates in Washington, for example, accounted for 27 percent of all injury-related deaths in 2019, 3 percentage points higher than civilian suicides, according to the Washington state Department of Health.
Nationally, the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 6.3 percent of veterans had a substance use disorder in the past year. Alcohol use, for example, was common among 56 percent of veterans, while 22 percent engaged in binge drinking, and 5.2 percent experienced an alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol abuse, unfortunately, is a common precursor for addiction and suicidal ideation and increases the risk of drug overdose. Per the state Department of Health, 62 percent of all drug deaths involved multiple drugs, with 80 percent involving an opioid between 2016 and 2023. Most drug-related deaths occur among adults ages 18 to 44, involving opioids, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.
On a day when we reflect on service and sacrifice, we must also reflect on our responsibility. Honoring our military community means more than moments of silence or waving flags; it means fighting for those who are still with us and who are fighting battles we don’t always see.
There are resources to help, such as the Veterans Crisis Line; dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255 anywhere in the state. The Washington state Department of Veterans Affairs offers resources for each county at www.dva.wa.gov/resources. Crisis lines are available for all people in Washington regardless of income or whether they have insurance, with specific lines for each county provided by the state Health Care Authority.
Finally, we should support community-based organizations and nonprofits doing critical work in this space. Many of these groups offer holistic, veteran-centered services that go beyond what traditional institutions can provide, from recreational and non-traditional therapy and outdoor rehabilitation programs to job training and sober housing.
The connection between military service and substance use disorders is not a comfortable topic. But it is necessary to address. To truly honor the men and women who defend our freedoms, we must be willing to confront the unseen battles they face and commit ourselves to being part of their recovery.
Jody Boulay is a mother of two with a passion for helping others. She currently works as a community outreach coordinator for DRS to help spread awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
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