Addiction Treatment for Military Spouses

Spouses of military personnel must deal with many obstacles daily. When their significant other is deployed for months or years at a time, raising children or living life alone leaves them at an increased risk for substance use or mental health issues. The hardships associated with military service can put families of military personnel on edge. There will be days or weeks where you wonder if they are alive when there is no contact. 

Statistics for Military Drug Use

Unfortunately, the service of military members places a lot of stress on their families that can push them into substance abuse. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) has followed this type of scenario very carefully, and it estimates that of the 910,000 military wives aged 18 to 49, 12.8 percent of them have used illicit drugs in the past year; 5.1 percent used marijuana in that same year, and 16.2 percent smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days.

Other studies showed that a staggering 67.8 percent engaged in alcohol consumption in the past 30 days and that 31.5 percent engaged in binge drinking. NSDUH took this information and compared it to married women aged 18 to 49 in civilian life, and they found that military spouses were more likely to use alcohol in the past 30 days, and they were more likely to engage in binge drinking.

There are discrepancies, however, and the higher representation of young adults 18 to 25 among military spouses could contribute to high estimates of alcohol use since young adults are more likely than adults aged 26 or older to use alcohol.

On that same note, 29.1 percent of military spouses aged 18 to 49 had any mental illness (AMI), 11.8 percent had at least one major depressive episode, and 22.6 percent received mental health services.

Unfortunately, depression in military spouses is common, but mental health services are currently available. Psychological issues related to separation, the stress of deployment, and the challenges associated with coping have all been observed in families of service members for quite some time. If you are a military spouse, you may be wondering what your drug rehab options are.

How to Cope as a Military Spouse

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that long periods of deployment are associated with more mental health cases among spouses of U.S. military members. While some can acclimate to their surroundings, some struggle, which makes it especially important for them to network with other military spouses.

Connecting with others who share your journey can offer encouragement, hope, and reassurance that this is just one chapter of your story. It also allows for making new friends or learning new outlets for dealing with the stress of being alone.

Positive Outlets to Cope With Deployment and Military Life

• Exercise
• Yoga classes
• Spending time with friends, family, and children
• Learning a new hobby
• Reconnecting with friends
• Join a networking group with military spouses
• Find ways to support others and offer advice on your own experiences
• Getting massages
• Meditate 
• Breathing exercises to alleviate stress
• Healthy eating

Recognizing Alcohol and Drug Use

It’s important to recognize the signs of substance use, as dependence can develop quickly and subtly. Common warning signs include low energy, unexplained injuries, irritability, mood changes, financial struggles, and relationship issues. Addiction isn’t limited to drugs or alcohol—harmful habits like excessive internet use, compulsive shopping, or sex addiction can also lead to dependence.

Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry. It is also is characterized by an inability to abstain consistently, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission.

Treatment Options for Military Spouses Facing Substance Use

When a military spouse is struggling with a substance use disorder or underlying mental health challenges that contribute to drug use, seeking professional help is essential. Effective recovery often involves moving through a continuum of care—a structured treatment system that matches the individual’s needs at each stage of recovery.

In this approach, a person may begin at the level of care most suited to their situation, then progress to more intensive treatment or transition to less intensive support as their needs change. A strong continuum of care ensures seamless transitions between treatment levels, a consistent therapeutic philosophy across programs, and smooth transfer of client records to maintain continuity.

The Five Levels of Care

• Level 0.5: Early intervention services
• Level I: Outpatient services
• Level II: Intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization 
• Level III: Residential/inpatient services
• Level IV: Medically managed intensive inpatient services

Medical Detoxification

The first and most intensive portion of treatment is medical detoxification. During this phase, the client will be placed in a facility for three to seven days while they clear all foreign substances from their body. They will be cared for 24 hours a day by addiction specialists who can help mitigate any dangers and risks. Fortunately, they are equipped to deal with emergencies, making this a significant portion of treatment. For more dangerous drugs like benzos or alcohol, detox can be the difference between life and death.

Residential Treatment

Depending on the severity of the addiction, a client could be moved to residential treatment. They will spend anywhere from between 30 to 90 days working on therapy to overcome their addiction. Then, they will take part in therapies that are geared toward learning triggers and how to overcome them when faced in their daily lives.

Outpatient Treatment

If there is no history of relapse, low addiction severity, and a safe home environment, they may be able to opt for outpatient care. During outpatient treatment, they will be able to experience all of the same benefits of residential treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, but they have the option to go home once therapy concludes. This is an excellent option for someone with children who may use as a barrier to going to treatment in the first place.

Let Serenity at Summit Help You Today

If you are looking for the best possible care for military spouses, look no further than our program. Our specialists are ready to listen and support you and your family. Feel free to give us a call right now at 855-956-4940 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help with addiction treatment for military spouses today.