Alcohol addiction after traumatic experience: how to help military personnel
Combat experience, injuries, the death of comrades, long rotations, night alarms – all this leaves a strong mark. Some military personnel after returning begin to use alcohol to fall asleep, reduce anxiety, or drown out memories. Over time, this develops into a persistent addiction, and getting out of a binge becomes impossible without help. How can relatives help in such a situation and when should a narcologist be involved? Specialists of Oleg Vasylenko's narcological clinic in Khmelnytskyi - https://vacilenko.com/uk/khmelnitckii/ will tell you how to act correctly in such a situation.
Why traumatic experience pushes you to alcohol
After combat, many military personnel develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): intrusive memories, nightmares, sudden mood swings, outbursts of aggression, a feeling of constant tension. Alcohol provides a temporary feeling of relief, so a person starts drinking more often and in larger doses.
According to international studies, people with PTSD are 2-4 times more likely to have alcohol-related disorders, and among military personnel after returning from operations, about half of those with PTSD abuse alcohol.
This means that the risks for veterans are significantly higher than for the general population, and they need professional help, not criticism.
Signs that alcohol has become dangerous
Relatives often doubt: is it just a "difficult period" or already an addiction. It is worth paying attention if the military:
- regularly drinks to fall asleep or calm down
- loses control over the amount of alcohol
- becomes withdrawn, avoids family, isolates
- becomes aggressive or, conversely, too apathetic after drinking
- misses work, does not fulfill duties at home
- has memory lapses after episodes of use
- ignores health problems, but continues to drink
If there are several of these signs, this is already a reason to consult a narcologist, and not wait for self-improvement.
Why self-treatment is dangerous for the military
Attempts to help at home often only worsen the condition:
- sudden withdrawal of alcohol without a doctor's supervision can cause seizures, a sharp drop in blood pressure, arrhythmia
- independent intake of sedatives, painkillers, sleeping pills together with alcohol is dangerous for the heart and breathing
- uncontrolled drips from acquaintances without examination overload the heart, liver, kidneys
- lack of control intensifies PTSD symptoms, increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts
For a military man with a traumatic experience, any home experiment with medications or a sudden refusal of alcohol can end in intensive care. A safer solution is treatment under the supervision of specialized specialists.
How assistance works in Oleg Vasylenko's narcological clinic in Khmelnytskyi
In Khmelnytskyi, Oleg Vasylenko's narcological clinic offers private addiction treatment taking into account the patient's combat and traumatic experience. Doctors:
- conduct an initial consultation and assess the condition of the military
- if necessary, organize withdrawal from binge at home or in a hospital
- prescribe drug treatment, coding from alcohol dependence (injection, filing, hypnosis according to the Dovzhenko method, laser coding)
- adjust the scheme taking into account the main diseases, injuries, taking other drugs
- involve specialized specialists
For some military personnel, outpatient care is sufficient, others need inpatient care – with round-the-clock supervision, food and a controlled regimen. Find out more and choose the appropriate format of assistance on the official website.
Conclusion
Alcohol addiction in a military man after a traumatic experience is not a weakness. This is a medical problem that can be stabilized and taken under control if you seek help in time. A private narcological clinic in Khmelnytskyi provides a combination of medical care, complete anonymity and safe treatment conditions for military personnel and their families.
Call now – the doctor is nearby!
Round-the-clock consultation in Khmelnytskyi: +380 (68) 665 33 00, +380 (95) 665 33 00