PTSD - Made Worse with Alcohol

As the founder of Sober World, I am also a musician. In the past decade I have played quite a few events at VFW facilities. The recurring theme of Alcohol use and abuse was highly prevalent at all, a focal point I watched from multiple stages. 

Communal self medicating is a social norm at these VFW events, as Veterans recount stories of trauma and friends and sort out the past in their minds. The wives and the children are brought along, and the young people learn harmful coping skills. A side effect is the stress on the body.

I witnessed consistently far too many sedentary, severely overweight people, eating unhealthy foods and drinking.. and drinking. Heart disease, cancers, smoking, so many addictive habits prevalent at these events. My observations and experience. Something I would love to help change.

PTSD simply put is stress. The same way we have a bad day, and go out for a drink, the Military Personnel self-medicate over trauma from their very highly stressful Service Work. The more stress, the more self medication. Different levels of Combat stress in conflicts and increasing support and counseling have reduced the impact. "These are types of events that can lead to PTSD. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that PTSD afflicts: Almost 31 percent of Vietnam veterans. As many as 10 percent of Gulf War (Desert Storm) veterans." (Source)

When "Back Home",  the prevalence of addictive neurotoxins (alcohol) is everywhere. Gas Stations in many states, Grocery Stores in most every state, Liquor Stores on every street corner, franchise foods that push it for profits... it's alluring and inescapable... it's also a death trap spiral for PTSD afflicted Veterans. 

"The use of alcohol to numb PTSD symptoms leads to a vicious cycle. Drinking alcohol worsens the fear and anxiety of PTSD, which leads to a release of endorphins. As the effects of the endorphins subside, the individual needs more alcohol to escape the nightmares and flashbacks of PTSD."  (Source)

• 23 out of 100 women (or 23%) reported sexual assault when in the military.
• 55 out of 100 women (or 55%) and 38 out of 100 men (or 38%) have experienced sexual harassment when in the military.

There are many factors and causal elements to PTSD, including what you do in war, the politics, location, type of enemy, and even sexual trauma, both men and women. The sexual trauma happens at peace and at war. Some statistics: From the VA on Sexual Assaults.

So what can the average citizen do to help? 
Simple awareness, empathy, and modest financial support by us all helps. If we, in our worlds, self medicate less, we become more aware of those around us. Vote for a healthier life for us all with your dollars. Spend less on your own self harm, and more on things that help a sustainable fear free future. Simple searches for Support and Sharing of Positive Prevention and better Brain Training to mitigate and overcome the Trauma can help too. This "Help Guide Site" is a great start to understanding. 

Our Brian is an amazing tool. but it can suffer from stress and needs help once in a while. The more you are self-aware, the better you will be aware of others around you. 

Please remember those not with us this Memorial Day... too many died very quickly AFTER they came back, from excessive Mental Stress and Self Medicating Suicides. We can all help with that. 

Peter Faulk • Founder
#soberworldorg

Read More on Veterans Suicide.