RSS
Home
Post-traumatic stress disorder, combat stress, and substance abuse
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Flag of the United States
Updated: A heart-wrenching story of one veteran's struggle with alcoholism, A&E's Intervention took an in-depth look at the difficult problem of post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse in its presentation of Episode 58: "Brad" :
Brad tells the story of posttraumatic stress disorder in a returning veteran, his devastation at the loss of his commander, Sgt. Deason, and his deep fall into alcohol and drug abuse.
Episode description from A&E:
The chaos and bloodshed that Brad witnessed as a young soldier in Iraq, including the death of a close friend, left him emotionally damaged. He now suffers post-traumatic stress disorder and uses alcohol and marijuana to quell the endless nightmares and flashbacks that haunt him. Brad's temper also flares and he's had several incidents of blackout drinking which have led to two car accidents. His parents and sisters are terrified that Brad will kill himself or someone.
Original air date: Monday, February 25, 2008 at 9:00pm
After the intervention, Brad went for treatment at the Palmeto Addiction Recovery Center in Rayville, Louisiana.
Dr. Jay Weiss, Medical Director of the Palmeto Addiction Recovery Center stated:
"People think that when you go through combat, you're screwed up for life, and it's really not true."
By helping Brad to build trust with others, finding similarities in their stories and experiences with combat stress and loss, they hope to help Brad work through his grief and trauma. Program notes at the end of the episode revealed that Brad left treatment after 21 days, quit his job, moved in with friends and continued drinking, stating that he had cut down.
Another look at the struggle of addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and combat stress in returning veterans was the A&E special presentation of In-Depth: Addiction in Uniform.
The special looked at:
The gut-wrenching but hopeful stories of three Iraq veterans and their struggles with addiction caused by combat stress. Leia's flashbacks to the terrifying things she saw in Iraq caused her to drink until she connected with a support group of fellow veterans. Paul saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war and turned to alcohol and cocaine when he returned home, but a detox program is helping him to cope and move on. And after Matt was discharged, he had vivid nightmares about being shot or burning, and he started drinking to calm himself down.
QUICK FACT SHEETS: Post-traumatic stress disorder - *common reactions - *fact sheets.
For more info:
The National Center for PTSD at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (Returning from the War Zone Guide for Families, What is PTSD? Finding and Choosing a Therapist, PTSD Treatment Programs).
Online Memorials: Honor the Fallen - Honoring those who fought and died in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and Legacy.Com
If you are in crisis, please call:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:.1-800-273-TALK. Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. • Call for yourself or someone you care about • Free and confidential • A network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide • Available 24/7
This Veteran's Day, make a commitment to support a Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine Adopt a Hero. It's simple and takes only a few minutes. It is a commitment to send at least a letter each week and a care package each month throughout the service member's deployment.
You can get involved and help military families and veterans by going to Soldier's Angels and finding an opportunity of service to give back to our men and women in uniform.
From Soldier's Angels: Teams & Projects - How to Help
Adopt a Soldier - Individualized support throughout deployment
Angel Bakers - Homemade treats for the deployed
Blankets of Belief - Showing deployed troops, "We believe in you!"
Blankets of Gratitude - Handcrafted love for hospitalized veterans
Blankets of Hope - Handcrafted comfort for the wounded
Cards Plus Team - Extra TLC for soldiers & families
Chaplain Support Team - Help chaplains support the troops
Community Team Leaders (CTLs) - Representing Soldiers' Angels at home
Eagle Cane Project - Handmade canes for the wounded
First Response Backpacks - Supplies for wounded in-country
Hero Packs - Care packages
K-9 Support - Caring for military working dogs and their handlers
Ladies of Liberty - Extra TLC for deployed females
Letter Writing Team - Personal letters for the deployed
Living Legends - Remembering the fallen and their families
Memorial Portraits - Drawings for families of the fallen
Operation Birthday Cake - Shipping gourmet birthday cakes to deployed troops
Operation Outreach - Supporting families waiting at home
Operation Phone Home - Calling cards
Operation Top Knot - Handmade gifts & virtual baby showers
Scarves - Handmade heat and sand protection
SA Germany - Supporting medevac'd wounded/ill and medical staff at Landstuhl
SOS:Kids - Helping deployed soldiers help local kids
Tank Support - Helping Veterans Travel to Medical Appointments
Valour-IT - Adaptive laptops for the wounded
VA Crochet & Craft - Handmade comfort & dignity for hospitalized Vets
Veterans Support - Assisting veterans facilities
Wounded TLC - Letters and care packages for the wounded
A huge thank you to the Soldier's Angels for all that you do!
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
.jpg)
