Once the war is over, a new battle begins. Veterans returning home from war face many challenges, including PTSD, coping with injuries, and insufficient resources to help them adjust to day-to-day living outside the military.

Once the war is over, a new battle begins. Veterans returning home from war face many challenges, including PTSD, coping with injuries, and insufficient resources to help them adjust to day-to-day living outside the military. Many veterans turn to alcohol and drugs to cope with these difficult issues, which can complicate or derail the healing process.

There is a long and complicated history linking international conflict and substance use. During war, drug use by soldiers was encouraged by government and country leaders, leaving many veterans facing serious problems with addiction on top of post-war trauma. In this series, we explore why drugs and war have such a strong connection, what this means in today’s world, and what the future looks like for veteran treatment and recovery. With the deadly opioid crisis lingering over the country and PTSD Awareness month coming up, it’s more important than ever to understand the impact that war can have on drug use and addiction, and how researchers are actively looking for ways to help veterans heal from their trauma.

For more information about Let’s Talk Drugs, visit ProjectKnow.com.