Researchers at San Diego's U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital are launching a five-year study to see if the strongest post-traumatic stress therapy can be used on heavy drinkers at the same time to help them overcome alcoholism. A study of 339 San Diego veterans showed that 19 percent reported a combination of PTSD and substance abuse. People in the San Diego veterans community say it may be much higher, as high as 50 percent. VA data for Vietnam veterans shows that 60 percent to 80 percent of those seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use problems. For more information, call the VA San Diego Health Care System at toll-free at (800) 331-8387 or locally at (858) 552-8585.
For more on PTSD and links to support resources, visit the Military.com Spouse and Family Center.
