table of contents

Share this article:

PTSD in War Veterans Overview

Millions of veterans from The U.S.A., The U.K., France and other countries have fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Most recently, military soldiers have been based in Syria, the Ukraine, Boko Harem and numerous other countries. Many of these soldiers were not aware of the reality which war presents. Being put in imminent danger day in and day out, coupled with death, injuries and numerous psychological and emotional issues, PTSD in war veterans affects hundreds of thousands of people around the globe.

What is PTSD?

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is also known as combat stress or in the past as shell shock syndrome. The psychological disorder occurs after a person experiences a severe trauma or life threatening event. This includes witnessing someone die, being sexually abused or physically assaulted or seeing an accident. While it is normal to go into a physical or mental shock after an event, PTSD occurs when the nervous system gets stuck.

PTSD in War Veterans

New Research Shows How the Brain Responds to Stress

There is a staggering amount of ongoing research for PTSD; the latest has shown the brain responds to stressful events in three ways:

Social Engagement<– A majority of people will use this strategy to keep calm and feel safe. Listening to another voice, eye contact, friendly affection or just talking can help a person to relax, gather thoughts and halt the fight or flight defense mechanisms.

Fight or Flight– Also known as mobilization, this response occurs when social engagement is not possible or appropriate. In this case it could be a soldier’s inability to stay in a combat situation. During this time, the heart rate increases, muscles tighten and the senses become stronger. A persons’ reaction time enhances and their strength and stamina rises. Once out of the danger zone, all of these things cease.

Immobilization – This reaction to a situation occurs during or after a trauma or large amount of stress. The physical danger may be gone, but the individual still feels stuck or trapped in that situation. With the central nervous system unable to return to its normal state, PTSD will be a result.

A large number of military veterans have developed symptoms of PTSD. According to U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, many of these people are those who:

  • Fought in ground or sever combat
  • Worked in military or public hospitals
  • Had pre-psychological disorders
  • Was stationed for excessive time periods
  • Were of lower rank
  • Experienced a brain injury during or before combat
  • Had less education
  • Lacked any close relationships with loved ones
  • Were female or just out of high school

In general the more tours or combat a person experiences, the more likely they will be to develop PTSD.

Recent Statistics of PTSD in War Veterans

According to recent statistics from 2023:

  • 11% to 23% of veterans experience PTSD within a given year. In terms of specific conflicts:
  • About 14% of veterans who served in Iraq have been diagnosed with PTSD.
  • A prevalence of about 10% of PTSD has been extrapolated for all Gulf War veterans.
  • Approximately 30% of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD at some point in their lifetime​1​​2​.

Common Symptoms of PTSD

Symptoms of PTSD can occur within days or weeks of the trauma, but for many, they don’t surface for months or years after the experience. War veterans may not even realize there is a problem until they have been home from deployment for an extended period of time. While the symptom of PTSD in war veterans varies from person to person, there are four primary “clusters”:

Constant reminders</strong – Some people will have recurrent, paralyzing reminders of the event. Distressing thoughts, nightmares and random, but extreme, flashbacks may commonly occur. These feelings of the situation happening over and over can lead to panic attacks, shaking, heart palpitations and unconsciousness.

Extreme Avoidance – PTSD war veterans may go out of their way to avoid any reminders of the event. They may purposely ignore people, places, thoughts or situations which are associated with the trauma and lose interest in activities which they previously enjoyed. This can lead to withdrawal from loved ones and life as a whole.

Mood Fluctuations> – A person’s mood may become unstable. One minute they could appear happy and the next minute they’re upset, angry or sad. These negative changes can effect self esteem and lead to the diminished ability to experience uplifting thoughts and emotions.

Being On Guard – PTSD sufferers may seem as if they are on guard at all times. Some people will be jumpy or react to loud noises, bright lights or smells. During these situations, they may become angry or irritable. The individual could eventually experience trouble sleeping, inability to concentrate, hyper-vigilence and reckless behavior.

The above clusters do not limit the symptoms of PTSD. War veterans could experience some or all of them at any one time. If there are any underlying disorders such as Bi-polar, the symptoms can be exaggerated.

How PTSD in War Veterans Can Lead to Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to drug and alcohol abuse in war veterans for several reasons:

Self-medication: Veterans suffering from PTSD may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to numb their pain or to gain some control over their symptoms. This can include trying to forget traumatic memories, reduce feelings of anxiety or irritability, or improve sleep. While drugs and alcohol might provide temporary relief, they often exacerbate PTSD symptoms over time.

Tolerance and dependence: Over time, regular use of drugs or alcohol can lead to increased tolerance, meaning that the person needs more of the substance to achieve the same effects. This can quickly lead to physical dependence, where the body requires the substance to function normally. When physical dependence is accompanied by psychological dependence, where the person feels a strong desire or compulsion to use the substance, this can lead to addiction.

Co-occurring disorders: Research shows that individuals with PTSD are more likely to have co-occurring substance use disorders. This is partly because both conditions affect similar areas of the brain. PTSD can increase a person’s vulnerability to developing substance use disorders, and vice versa.

Avoidance and isolation: One of the symptoms of PTSD is avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event. This can lead to social isolation, which in turn can increase the risk of substance use. Some veterans may use drugs or alcohol as a way of coping with loneliness or a lack of social support.

Lack of effective coping mechanisms: If veterans do not have other effective coping mechanisms or do not have access to appropriate mental health care, they may be more likely to resort to self-medication with drugs or alcohol.

In addition to these factors, some veterans may have had exposure to substance use before their military service, which can increase their risk of substance use disorders after experiencing trauma. It’s important to note that not all veterans with PTSD will develop substance use disorders, but the risk is significantly higher in this population compared to the general population.

Treating PTSD

In the case of PTSD amongst war veterans, suicide rates are very high. This becomes more prevalent in people who do not seek out help. It’s very important to talk to the military hospital, like the VA in the U.S.A., about the possibility of having PTSD. All too often, a soldier believes they are ‘weak’ because of the how they feel;   these thoughts are dangerous to a person’s psyche and simply are not true.

PTSD can be treated with a variety of therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, counselling, art, writing, meditation and yoga. It’s became increasingly common for a war veteran to seek the assistance of a rehab, with or without a co-occurring addiction. Rehabs offer the necessary therapies, vital support and safety nets for these individuals.

As one of the leading private rehabs in Asia, Siam Rehab in Chiang Rai has helped veterans from around the globe. Guided by a team of professional staff, individuals will be immersed into an eclectic range of results proven therapy and fitness modules. If you are a war veteran and would like to get treatment for PTSD and/or an addiction to drugs or alcohol, please contact Siam Rehab today.

Statistical References

Read More Articles