Veterans stay silent about sleep and substance abuse problems more than almost any other health issue, a new study found. They were more willing to seek care for chronic pain or brain injury than for alcohol or drug use or sleep disorders. Veterans of color who had faced discrimination were less willing to seek treatment.
Summary: A new study found that veterans are least likely to seek treatment for common problems like sleep and substance use. Veterans were more willing to seek care for physical problems like chronic pain and brain injuries. They were less willing to seek help for mental health problems like alcohol or drug use and sleep disorders. The study also found a link between discrimination and how willing veterans of color were to seek treatment.
Veterans have made sacrifices to protect their country and faced special challenges because of their service. So they are more likely than most people to have certain physical and mental health problems. Their values and experiences may also shape how they see life.
One of the biggest differences between veterans and other people is how often veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can develop after someone lives through or sees a traumatic event. Veterans who have been in combat are at higher risk. Because of their service, they may also have physical injuries, such as lost limbs or traumatic brain injuries.
Veterans may also face special stresses. For example, they may struggle to adjust to civilian life after coming home from deployment. They may have trouble finding work or getting health care. Because of these challenges, veterans may be slower to seek help for problems like poor sleep or substance use. They may also see asking for help differently. They may be less likely to go to regular health care providers.
A recent study came from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. It found that American military veterans are the least likely to seek care for common problems like sleep and substance use. The study included 334 veterans from 46 states. They were more willing to seek care for physical problems like chronic pain and brain injuries. They were less willing to seek help for alcohol or drug use and sleep disorders. The study also tied discrimination to how willing veterans of color were to seek care.
The study drew people from 46 states. Of them, 66% were men and over 70% identified as a person of color. They answered screening questions for 15 medical conditions, such as insomnia, risky drinking, drug use, PTSD, anxiety and depression. They also rated how important treatment was for each condition. And they rated how willing they were to seek addiction treatment programs.
Most people in the study were willing to seek treatment for both physical and mental health problems. But they leaned toward treatment for physical problems over mental ones. Willingness was highest for chronic pain, long-term medical conditions and physical brain injuries. It was lowest for alcohol or drug use and sleep disorders.
The researchers think this may be because sleep and alcohol problems are so common among veterans. They may seem normal, or get played down. Then they are not seen as problems that need treatment such as telehealth programs. The study also looked at how discrimination affects seeking care. Veterans who faced it more often were less willing to seek treatment.
For veterans of color, facing discrimination was linked to less willingness to seek treatment. But this was true only for those who said they used no other ways to cope with stress.
The study suggests that helping veterans use healthy ways to cope may soften the harm discrimination does to seeking care. Doctors who treat veterans must also know about these issues. Without handling these mental health problems, treating physical illness or chronic pain in this group may be hard.
Frequently asked questions
Why are veterans hesitant to seek help for substance use?
A University of Missouri School of Medicine study of 334 veterans from 46 states found they were least willing to seek treatment for alcohol or drug use and sleep disorders. Researchers think these problems are so common among veterans that they seem normal or get played down. They are not seen as problems that need care. Facing discrimination also made veterans less willing to seek care.
Why are veterans at higher risk for mental health problems?
Veterans face special challenges because of their service. Many have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), above all those who served in combat. Some live with physical injuries such as lost limbs or traumatic brain injuries. Many also struggle to adjust to civilian life, find work or get health care. That can make them less willing to ask for help.
Which health problems are veterans most willing to get treated?
In the study, veterans answered screening questions for 15 conditions. These included insomnia, risky drinking, drug use, PTSD, anxiety and depression. Most were willing to seek treatment for both physical and mental health problems. Willingness was highest for chronic pain, long-term medical conditions and physical brain injuries. It was lowest for alcohol or drug use and sleep disorders.
How does discrimination affect veterans seeking treatment?
Veterans who faced discrimination more often were less willing to seek treatment for physical or mental health problems. For veterans of color, this link showed up only in those who said they used no other ways to cope with stress. The study suggests that helping veterans use healthy ways to cope may reduce the harm discrimination does to seeking care.
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