Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a significant problem among military veterans and are associated with numerous deleterious effects. Service members use substances such as alcohol, prescription medication, tobacco, and illicit drugs. While service members use illicit substances at lower rates than the general population, binge drinking rates in the military exceed those among the general population. A significant portion of active-duty service members will experience a substance use disorder during their enrollment in the military. Drug use can negatively affect combat readiness and reduce the performance of troops.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Educate clients about current information on the prevalence of SUD among military veterans.
- Identify clinical characteristics of SUD.
- Apply evidence-based treatment practices for substance use disorder.
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Understanding the Scope of the Problem
- Review the prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) among active-duty personnel and veterans
- Examine the connection between binge drinking and military culture
- Identify rising trends in substance misuse despite prevention efforts
- Explore the impact of substance use on readiness, performance, and overall health
Objective #2: Contributing Psychological and Environmental Factors
- Examine links between PTSD, depression, anxiety, and increased substance use
- Identify the effects of stress, neuroticism, and low emotionality on drinking behavior
- Understand environmental stressors such as deployment, combat exposure, and reintegration challenges
- Consider the influence of early interpersonal trauma and adverse childhood experiences
Objective #3: Specific Substances and Patterns of Use
- Discuss alcohol use as the most prevalent SUD in military populations
- Review rising rates of prescription opioid use and overprescribing patterns
- Identify risks related to polypharmacy and overlapping prescriptions
- Highlight trends in marijuana, illicit drug use, and smoking among veterans
Objective #4: PTSD and the Substance Use Connection
- Recognize hypervigilance, nightmares, emotional numbing, and irritability as PTSD symptoms
- Understand how substance use is often used to self-medicate PTSD symptoms
- Explore the role of avoidance, isolation, and emotional dysregulation in substance use
- Link trauma reactivity to increased relapse risk
Objective #5: Diagnostic Criteria and Prevalence Considerations
- Define SUD using DSM-5 criteria based on symptom count and severity
- Understand how changes from DSM-IV and ICD-9 affect prevalence reporting
- Note challenges in VA diagnostic data and underreporting in non-VA veterans
Objective #6: Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
- Implement SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) as a preventative tool
- Use CBT and contingency management for behavioral change and relapse prevention
- Apply motivational interviewing to enhance treatment engagement
- Utilize digital and web-based interventions for younger veterans
Objective #7: Pharmacological Interventions
- Use FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram
- Treat opioid use disorder with methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone
- Explore medications under study for co-occurring PTSD and SUD such as prazosin and topiramate
Objective #8: Current Treatment Challenges
- Address stigma related to mental health and addiction in military culture
- Integrate SUD care into general mental health and primary care to reduce stigma
- Recognize access issues for rural veterans and the benefits and limitations of telehealth
- Tailor treatment approaches to match the needs and realities of veteran populations
Objective #9: Gender-Specific Considerations
- Acknowledge the increasing rates of substance use among female veterans
- Recognize the impact of military sexual trauma and domestic violence
- Understand the need for women-only or gender-responsive programming
- Address logistical barriers such as childcare and comfort in mixed-gender settings
Objective #10: Dual Diagnosis and Integrated Treatment
- Understand that most veterans with SUD also have co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses
- Explore the integration of PTSD and SUD treatment to reduce relapse and improve outcomes
- Recognize common medical comorbidities and psychosocial impacts among dually diagnosed veterans
- Support integrated, trauma-informed approaches that address both conditions simultaneously
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dr. Paul Hardy, D.Min. NMAC, CSAC
Recording Date: 4/26/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com