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October 25, 2010 - The amount of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been placed anywhere from 1 in 8 to 1 in 10. What is being discovered are veterans suffering from PTSD usually battle addiction and/or substance abuse as well. Often however, therapists treat each ailment separately with some therapists refusing to even begin PTSD treatment until the veteran has been sober for at least 6 months.
As part of an experimental therapy, therapists are beginning to treat PTSD and substance abuse together so the veteran is working through both issues at the same time. The Medical University of South Carolina and the Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center will use a $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to fund research into this area. Specifically, their subjects will be 90 veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom who suffer from both PTSD and substance abuse. Researchers will treat all of the veterans to measure the results.
When they are treated separately, they are usually done so at different locations. This means there is likely a real chance of disconnect between the two service providers. This disconnect would likely result in poor overall treatment for the veterans. Many veterans drink or take drugs to either sleep or suppress nightmares, making the substance abuse interconnected with the PTSD.
Prescription medications often serve little purpose and don't accomplish more than masking symptoms. This is because if only one problem is treated, the other one still exists. December will be the beginning of one-therapist-driven-therapy designed to treat PTSD and substance abuse at the same time for the 90 veterans. Three therapists will treat 30 patients each. Patients' sessions will be once-a-week for 90 minutes for 12 weeks. Therapy will involve the veterans' families so as to inform them about how addiction is affecting the veterans' lives.
Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.
At LaVan and Neidenberg, we are determined to secure veterans their rightful disability compensation and disability rating. We wrote this book for you! In it you will find valuable tips on how to navigate the claims process and avoid common pitfalls. Request your FREE copy today!
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