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Drug Addiction In Veterans Essay

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Words 451
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Goal: Spread awareness of the alarming rate of drug & alcohol addiction in US Veterans

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Title: Treating Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Veterans with MMJ

Many people have the tendency to celebrate Memorial Day with family get-togethers and grills, but forget the true meaning of the holiday - to remember our fallen heroes. Men and women who put themselves in dangerous situations and gave their lives in defense of the United States. While we commemorate and honor them, though, it’s important to also remember and honor the many veterans who lose their lives unnecessarily and prematurely to suicide.

Many of these deaths stem from post-traumatic stress disorder, which experts say affects up to 20 percent of Iraq and …show more content…
Adding to the situation is the fact that many of those who have been diagnosed with PTSD often try to self-treat with drugs and alcohol, leading to an addiction that can worsen the symptoms of the primary disease.

PTSD has been found to be highly associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts. As a way to numb the pain, more than 20 percent of veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD also often suffer from alcohol or drug dependence or addiction. This can include an addiction to highly addictive painkillers and anxiety medications that may have been prescribed to help treat the the PTSD. The medicines, then, have the reverse effect on the individual, and instead of preventing or blocking suicidal thoughts, can exacerbate them.

Rather than continuing to prescribe medications that may worsen the problem, it’s important for professionals to seek safe alternatives, like medical marijuana. Since PTSD is often caused by an overactive fear system, studies are underway to gauge the calming properties of cannabis that can calm or ease the symptoms of

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