Remembering the brave men and women, the ones who have fallen, the ones who were wounded, the ones who sacrificed time away from loved ones while their brave soldier served. Military service women, men, and their families & friends, I thank you for your service and your sacrifices, Without all of you this country would not be the proud place that it is today. Thank you so much... May you and your families find peace, love and joy in your lives. You deserve at least that, and much more. Today is your day, as everyday should be your day. I thank you from my very soul. Peace to you all, and may the creator bless you with all u need.

Serious Psychological Distress and Substance Use Disorder among Veterans

In Brief Combined data from 2004 to 2006 indicate that an annual average of 7.0 percent of veterans aged 18 or older experienced past year serious psychological distress (SPD), 7.1 percent met the criteria for a past year substance use disorder (SUD), and 1.5 percent had co-occurring SPD and SUD

Veterans aged 18 to 25 were more likely than older veterans to have higher rates of past year SPD, SUD, and co-occurring SPD and SUD

Veterans with family incomes of less than $20,000 per year were more likely than veterans with higher family incomes to have had SPD, SUD, and co-occurring SPD and SUD in the past year

Every year, thousands of troops depart from military service and rejoin their families and civilian communities. Given the demanding environments of the military and traumatizing experiences of combat, many veterans experience psychological distress that can be further complicated by substance use and related disorders. Research indicates that male veterans in the general U.S. population are at an elevated risk of suicide.1 In addition, among veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who received care from the Department of Veterans Affairs between 2001 and 2005, nearly one third were diagnosed with mental health and/or psychosocial problems and one fifth were diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD).

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) includes questions to assess serious psychological distress (SPD) and substance use disorders. SPD is an overall indicator of nonspecific psychological distress. NSDUH measures past year SPD using the K6 distress questions.3,4 The K6 questions measure symptoms of psychological distress during the 1 month in the past 12 months when respondents were at their worst emotionally. NSDUH also asks respondents to report on their use of illicit drugs5 and alcohol, as well as symptoms of substance dependence or abuse during the past year. NSDUH defines dependence on or abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs using criteria specified in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).6 Substance dependence or abuse includes such symptoms as withdrawal, tolerance, use in dangerous situations, trouble with the law, and interference in major obligations at work, school, or home during the past year. Individuals who meet the criteria for either dependence or abuse are said to have an SUD.

NSDUH respondents also are asked about their military veteran status. A veteran is defined as an individual who has served in any of the U.S. Armed Forces but who is not currently serving in the military.

This report examines past year SPD, SUD, and co-occurring SPD and SUD among veterans aged 18 or older by demographic characteristics.7 For the purpose of this report, individuals with both SPD and SUD in the past year are said to have co-occurring SPD and SUD. All findings presented in this report are based on combined 2004, 2005, and 2006 NSDUH data. According to NSDUH estimates, 25.9 million military veterans were living in the United States during this 3-year period.

 

Serious Psychological Distress

 

Combined data from 2004 to 2006 indicate that an annual average of 7.0 percent of veterans aged 18 or older (an estimated 1.8 million persons annually) experienced SPD in the past year Veterans aged 18 to 25 were more likely to have had SPD (20.9 percent) than veterans aged 26 to 54 (11.2 percent) or those aged 55 or older (4.3 percent Female veterans were twice as likely as male veterans to have had SPD in the past year (14.5 vs. 6.5 percent Veterans with family incomes of less than $20,000 per year were more likely to have had SPD in the past year than veterans with higher family incomes ).

  Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans: 2004 to 2006 

 . Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans: 2004 to 2006 Disorder Percent

SPD 7.0%

SUD 7.1%

Co-Occurring SPD and SUD 1.5%

 

  Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans, by Age: 2004 to 2006 

  Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans, by Age: 2004 to 2006 Disorder Aged 18 to 25 Aged 26 to 54 Aged 55 or Older

SPD 20.9% 11.2% 4.3%

SUD 25.0% 11.3% 4.4%

Co-Occurring SPD and SUD   8.4%   2.7% 0.7%

 

 

Substance Use Disorder

 

Combined data from 2004 to 2006 indicate that an annual average of 7.1 percent of veterans aged 18 or older (an estimated 1.8 million persons) met the criteria for SUD in the past year  One quarter of veterans aged 18 to 25 met the criteria for SUD in the past year compared with 11.3 percent of veterans aged 26 to 54 and 4.4 percent of veterans aged 55 or older There was no difference in SUD between male and female veterans (7.2 vs. 5.8 percent)  ). Veterans with a family income of less than $20,000 per year (10.8 percent) were more likely to have met the criteria for SUD in the past year than veterans with a family income of $20,000 to $49,999 (6.6 percent), $50,000 to $74,999 (6.3 percent), or $75,000 or more (6.7 percent

 . Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans, by Gender: 2004 to 2006 

Figure 3 Table. Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans, by Gender: 2004 to 2006 Disorder Males Females

SPD 6.5% 14.5%

SUD 7.2%   5.8%

Co-Occurring SPD and SUD 1.5%   2.0%

 

 . Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans, by Family Income: 2004 to 2006 

  Prevalence of Serious Psychological Distress (SPD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and Co-Occurring SPD and SUD in the Past Year among Veterans, by Family Income: 2004 to 2006 Disorder Less than $20,000 $20,000-$49,999 $50,000-$74,999 $75,000 or More

SPD 15.1% 6.9% 5.9% 4.2%

SUD 10.8% 6.6% 6.3% 6.7%

Co-Occurring SPD and SUD   4.1% 1.4% 1.2% 0.7%

 

 

Co-Occurring SPD and SUD

 

From 2004 to 2006, approximately 1.5 percent of veterans aged 18 or older (an estimated 395,000 persons) had co-occurring SPD and SUD  Increasing age was associated with lower rates of past year co-occurring SPD and SUD, with veterans aged 18 to 25 having the highest rate (8.4 percent) and veterans aged 55 or older having the lowest rate (0.7 percent) (Figure 2). There was no significant difference in co-occurring disorders among males and females (1.5 vs. 2.0 percent, respectively) (Figure 3). Veterans with family incomes of less than $20,000 per year were more likely to have had co-occurring SPD and SUD in the past year than veterans with higher family incomes

A Soldiers Truth

 by James Poeticallyimgifted Kaymore on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 12:56pm ·

 A toast is made for the price thats paid, to keep this country free. From birth to grave the prayers thats prayed to keep its unity.

 Men and women made the choice, not only to be seen but be a voice, and take a step for the good.

 In days and nights, they sacraficed just like all veterans would.

 So to the air without a care, soaring through the sky.

Their song we sing pin on their wings the Air force always Aim high.

 The water gleams on ships it seems to brighten through the day. The guns that rips from battleships, the navy says Anchors Away. Come along be army strong, before the fighting is done.

Many compass to build that mass and become a Army Of One. Some fighting machines my U.S. Marines, im one and I say it proud.

 In sands and hills the blood thats spilled much love to the few and the proud.

 A toast to you all, who have answered the call, be proud that you served this way.

 To all who have cried and all who have died, to you HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!

Happy Veterans Day to all whom served and are serving our Country. You all need a pat on your back, an hug and kiss for keeping America safe from the enemy's abroad. We love all all of you ♥

 

 (above continued)

More improvements and long-term commitment to programs aimed at the root issues that land people on the streets — mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment, poverty."It's baloney to say it will end in 2015,"   which has helped the homeless in San Diego for decades. "This needs to be a priority for decades to come."Others are keeping their fingers crossed."It can happen,"   to End Homelessness. He believes the effort on veterans could "lead the way" in showing what can be done about overall homelessness, which is more prevalent since the 1970s because of the loss of affordable housing, changes in mental hospital admissions and the decriminalization of crimes such as public drunkenness and vagrancy.Of the country's 22 million veterans, an estimated 75,609 were homeless in 2009 when Shinseki announced the campaign. Veterans make up 14 percent of the U.S. homeless population."I learned long ago that there are never any absolutes in life, and a goal of zero homeless veterans sure sounds like an absolute,"  "But unless we set ambitious targets for ourselves, we would not be giving this our very best efforts."The number of homeless veterans dropped 12 percent between 2010 and 2011 to 67,497. It's expected to fall below 60,000 when this year's count is released in the coming weeks, Shinseki says.Rare bipartisanship in Washington is part of the reason. Political consensus among lawmakers and in the administration to do everything possible for troops and veterans has meant a huge increase in the budget for VA health care and other services to the homeless, from $3.6 billion in the 2010 budget year to the proposed $5.8 billion for 2013."We can all agree that money spent in that effort has been money well spent,"  The VA spent $9.5 billion in the 2011 and 2012 budget years and is proposing to spend another $11.9 billion in the next two years — meaning the overall cost would be $21.5 billion by September 2014.Congress also has consistently raised annual budgets for VA's main partner in the homeless effort, the Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD has sent $350 million for vouchers out to housing authorities across the U.S. who have used the assistance to help house 42,000 veterans since 2008.Advocates for the homeless also cite programs that they say finally recognize the fact that not all homeless are the same. Chronic cases and those with severe problems need substantial and longer assistance, while others need temporary, emergency help.Programs also have dropped the requirement that veterans must be sober or on their medications before receiving housing.  who oversees VA's homeless efforts, says having a safe and stable place to live improves veterans' ability to participate in treatment programs and other efforts intended to address the root causes of their problems such as substance abuse or mental illness.Officials also now have what many believe is a more credible count of the homeless population — a census taken on the same night every January. Experts praise the government improvements in streamlining programs through thousands of local housing authorities, churches, businesses and other partners. ."If unemployment dropped by 2 percentage points, we'd all be crowing about that," he said. "Is there dramatic change? I think there is. Is it sufficient? No. I think that we're laying the groundwork."Mental health issues may be the biggest challenge to the government's effort, according to veterans' organizations. The VA has struggled to keep up with mental health care demands for the overall veteran population due to insufficient staffing and other problems."If VA doesn't take a critical look at and correct the serious problems ... most notably, its mental health access issues and rising (disability) claims backlog, we will end up right back where we started,"  .Veterans such as 50-year-old Lute, who served in peacetime after Vietnam and before the 1991 Gulf War, make up a disproportionate number of those in VA homeless programs February.Many had problems before going into the military. Lute was physically abused as a child and suffers from depression as well as service-related PTSD.Another concern is what will happen if needs increase. Roughly 180,000 people leave the military every year; and that number will increase because the Pentagon plans to shrink by 100,000 troops over the next several years now that the war in Iraq is over and the drawdown in Afghanistan has started.Though few Iraq and Afghanistan vets have showed up at homeless shelters so far, experts worry that homelessness among them may increase later."We saw a lot of problems for the guys and gals from the Vietnam war didn't (emerge) for decades,"   .The VA hopes its new prevention programs will address that. One started last year has so far helped 32,000 families of veterans who were identified as vulnerable to becoming homeless. The program provides money for child care, rent or utilities to keep them in their homes when hard times hit.Lute's family moved into the two-bedroom apartment last month after a successful year in their first apartment — a one-bedroom. Visits from social workers will decrease if he continues to take good care of his son Evan.A 280-pound man with a tattooed neck, he regularly takes Evan to a park, near where he used to sleep at night. He says he's determined to give him the happy childhood he never had."I don't know the answers. I've been in homeless shelters, through VA programs, PTSD support groups, etc., but I think it's up to the person," said Lute, as his giggling son rolled on the living room carpet. "I will try everything I can to not become that way because of him. Now I'm not on the streets because there's more in my life to lose."

 On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an Armistice was signed to end what was known as the "War to end all Wars". Unfortunately, It did not in fact end all wars. But now the day is set aside to thank all who have served in military conflict to defend our country. If you see a vet, Thank them. I spoke to a gentleman last week who was the Army Corps of engineers at the grocery store. His unit was the first engineers unit to land after D-Day to build an allied landing strip. All of us who have close friends or relatives who have served overseas, Lets post a note of thanks as our Status for a while today.