Transition from military life to a civilian one brings numerous challenges with it, from trouble finding and maintaining a steady job to adapting to a whole new way of life that is very different from the life one had while actively serving in the army. What’s more, one of the most common challenges veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life includes dealing with substance abuse disorders, or SUDs, as well as a range of mental health issues, for example post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.1

A large number of veterans face readjustment issues upon returning home from active military service and experience difficulties reintegrating with their communities, families, and friends, placing them at increased risk of developing alcohol, drug, and mental health problems. Post-deployment reintegration challenges are identified among the most significant risk factors related to substance abuse in the veteran population, with almost 1 in 10 veterans requiring professional care in the VHA system when diagnosed with a form of SUD.2

As they transition to civilian life, veterans require a strong support system, which is why there are numerous active organizations specializing in helping veterans during their transition to civilian life. These organizations are USO Transition Services, American Addiction Centers, as well as Veterans Affairs, or the VA. They offer information and resources on how to successfully transition.3

Even though many services and programs are available for veterans who require help to transition from military to civilian life, the readjustment period can still be difficult since they struggle to locate adequate resources and assistance.3

What Issues Do Veterans Face When Transitioning to Civilian Life?

The army represents an institution that is very different from the civilian way of life. It’s a world in itself characterized by unique regulations, rituals, and customs. Readjustment to civilian life is challenging for individuals who’ve spent the majority of their lives actively serving in the military, making it beneficial for those veterans to seek one of the available transition assistance programs.1

In the army, the worth of an individual is often equal to their rank and military achievements. On the other hand, civilian life introduces uncertainty in this aspect, making it difficult for a veteran to adapt to this once familiar way of life, causing frustration, stress, anxiety, and potentially more severe mental health conditions.1

It can often be difficult for veterans to find and keep a job when they transition from military to civilian life, as their experience and skills are often unimportant for the job opportunities they’re presented with. Veterans are accustomed to functioning in a world which fosters order and discipline with specific tasks and emphasized teamwork, all of which are often absent from civilian life. This makes veteran’s reintegration into the civilian way of life challenging.1

What’s more, veterans often experience difficulties when adjusting to different academic environments in case they opt to pursue education, with frustration and stress stemming from their inability to live up to stringent academic standards.1

A veteran’s transition from military life to civilian life also brings another challenge in the form of innate loss of structure this way of living brings. Army days strongly rely on the chain of command and the structure stemming from it, which is often absent from civilian life due to the innate freedom of it. This lack of structure can make it extremely difficult for a veteran to reintegrate into a civilian community.1

Another aspect that plays a role in how difficult the transition to from military to civilian life is for a veteran is their personal background. For example, individuals who’d been actively serving for longer periods of time can experience greater difficulty during reintegration, and vice versa. The rule of thumb is the longer the active service, the more difficult the transition from military to civilian life.1

Finally, individuals who’ve faced combat are also at risk of increased difficulty when transitioning to civilian life, as they might struggle with a range of mental health problems, including PTSD, depression, and even suicidal ideation.1

How Do PTSD and Transition Stress Affect the Reintegration of Veterans Into Civilian Life?

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder remains one of the most common and challenging mental health conditions veterans face upon exiting active military service and trying to transition to civilian life. Traumatic events faced during active military service can be extremely upsetting, frightening and dangerous, leaving lasting psychological scars on the veteran, making their transition more difficult. PTSD can lead to increased sensations of fear, stress, anger, and anxiety for many months and years after the event has transpired, resulting in nightmares, flashbacks, and intrusive thoughts taking the veteran back to that event.4

Transition stress is another unique mental health issue for veterans when transitioning from military life to civilian life. Unlike post-traumatic stress disorder, transition stress isn’t caused by one traumatic event, but rather a series of day-to-day challenges veterans face during active service and their transition to civilian life. Some of these challenges are adjusting to the innately unstructured civilian environment, difficulties maintaining a stable financial situation, finding a new job, and reintegration into their personal relationships.5

Many veterans face both transition stress and PTSD, further aggravating their mental health condition as well as their reintegration to civilian life. This can result in veterans experiencing difficulty keeping their job, managing finances, and maintaining their personal relationships. Even worse, they can also experience challenges in the form of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorder.4, 5

Which Mental Health Problems Do Veterans Face During Their Transition Into Civilian Way of Life?

Veterans in the process of transitioning to civilian life can also face numerous mental health issues. The most common forms include drug and alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, as well as PTSD. In fact, as much as 63% of all veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and who are struggling from a form of SUD also suffer from PTSD.2

Active duty military personnel and veterans experience higher suicide rates in comparison to the general civilian population. More than 20% of all suicides during the year 2014 were committed by veterans, meaning 20 veterans commit suicide every day, making transition assistance and various specialized programs necessary.2

What Is the Connection Between Transition from Military Life to Civilian Life and Veteran Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse represents a severe issue with numerous veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. Opioid, drug, and alcohol abuse are serious problems which can, in turn, lead to an even wider range of detrimental consequences.6

Some of the causes for substance abuse disorders in the veteran population are stress from transitioning to civilian life, depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues. The negative effects of developing an SUD include health problems, relationship issues, financial difficulties, as well as job loss.6

Some of the most common warning signs that indicate that a transitioning veteran has developed a substance use disorder include experiencing legal issues resulting from the use of illegal substances, missing personal and professional obligations.6

Determining the levels of alcohol and drug abuse within the veteran population is difficult since the majority of surveys rely on the individuals reporting their issues themselves. However, a recent report carried out by the government of the United States states that 1.7% of this population uses illegal drugs while 3.5% use marijuana. Approximately 4% of all veterans abuse different prescription drugs with the overdose rate related to opioid abuse increasing from 14% during 2010 to 21% during 2015. This increase is mostly related to the use of heroin and synthetic opioids. At the end, veterans are far more probable to struggle with alcohol abuse when compared to the rest of the civilian population with so much as 65% of them stating alcohol as the reason they’re entering a treatment facility.2

What Are the Methods for Helping Veterans Who Are Transitioning Back to Civilian Life?

Numerous rehab facilities that specialize in helping veterans overcome their substance abuse problems provide mental health treatment as well to assist them in overcoming difficulties when transitioning from military life to civilian life. They offer a wide range of services, including vocational rehabilitation, group and individual counseling sessions, and many others.3

VA Desert Hope Treatment Center located in Las Vegas, NV represents one such rehab facility. This center offers varied services alongside the Veteran Transition Assistance program for those former service members struggling with a form of SUD or mental health disorder. The assistance this facility offers consists of professional case management, medication assistance and management, different types of counseling, and other specialized services. Their staff remains strongly dedicated to assisting veterans with their transition and reintegration into the civilian way of life.

Also, feel free to reach out to American Addiction Centers, or AAC, by contacting one of their available hotlines and inquiring about all the information you need to start your treatment. They have a nationwide network of reputable treatment centers designed for specific issues veterans face. Their caring, devoted, and competent staff can help you find information on:

What’s more, there are community care organizations and providers supporting those veterans who find themselves outside of the VA’s system. These organizations offer services which can help with overcoming different substance abuse and mental health issues while also helping veterans acquire vocational training as well as placement.3

What Are the Characteristics of the Transition Assistance Program?

Veteran Transition Assistance represents a program which helps former military personnel experience an easier transition into civilian life. It offers training sessions, courses, and counseling sessions aimed at helping former service members successfully reintegrate into civilian life.3

Transition assistance programs are an invaluable resource for all military personnel faced with the process of transitioning to civilian life. These programs provide assistance with adjusting to life outside of the structure military environment while also offering support and guidance while they’re trying to secure new career opportunities.3

The process of pre-separation consultation and counseling represents a vital part of the Army Transition Assistance Program, helping veterans adequately prepare for their post-service life by offering guidance and assistance on matters regarding career opportunities, health care, finance planning, and others. This program also offers advice and assistance to veterans experiencing difficulties reconnecting with the members of their family or adjusting to new education requirements.3

How Can Family Help Veterans During Civilian Life Reintegration?

Family plays a crucial role in helping veterans transition from military life to civilian life. However, it’s important to emphasize that each veteran faces unique challenges and has unique needs, making it necessary to provide tailored assistance in line with their own personal requirements. For example, there are numerous instances of veterans finding it hard to communicate with friends and family about the challenges they faced during active military service. In addition, there are also numerous veterans who experience difficulties readjusting to a way of life so different from the one they had during active service, placing further strain on both their personal and professional relationships and their mental health.7

The primary role of the family is to provide love and support to their loved one during a difficult time. Willingness to assist them combined with open communication and patience can significantly alleviate the difficulties associated with a veteran’s transition from military to civilian life. What’s more, families can also help by connecting veterans to different support groups and resources, which can greatly benefit the process of their reintegration into civilian life.7

If your loved one is a veteran, it’s essential to understand the challenges they face when transitioning from military to civilian setting. Expressing support, offering patience, and helping them find the resources designed to ease their transition can make a world of difference as they step into a new chapter in their life.7

What Resources Are Available to Transitioning Veterans?

There are many adequate resources and programs available veterans can use to ease their transition into civilian life. Some of the best resources they can use include:8, 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Veterans Employment Center: This organization offers career and job opportunities to veterans and their families as they’re transitioning from military to civilian life.
  • USAJOBS: This is the official website showcasing federal job openings.
  • VetNet: This is an online platform designed to help service members with finding meaningful employment upon the completion of their active military service.
  • Office of Veterans Business Development at the US Small Business Administration: This organization assists veterans with starting, growing, and succeeding in their entrepreneurial career.
  • Department of Treasury: This organization provides internship opportunities to wounded active service members and veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions