Substance Abuse in the Navy

Addiction in the Navy

Addiction and mental health disorders are prevalent among both active-duty sailors and Navy Veterans. Substance abuse is a chronic medical condition that affects physical health, mental wellness, career readiness, and family stability. While addiction can affect anyone, Veterans are more likely than the civilian population to develop problems with alcohol and drug use.

Alcohol and prescription medications are the most commonly misused substances by active-duty sailors. After separation from service, Navy Veterans are more likely to struggle with alcohol and opioid addiction. If you or someone you care about served in the Navy and is dealing with substance use, Veteran treatment is available, and recovery is possible.

Alcohol Abuse in the U.S. Navy

Alcohol misuse is the most common substance use concern in the Navy. The RAND Corporation’s Health Related Behaviors Survey (HRBS) found that the Navy has the second-highest rates of binge drinking, heavy drinking, and hazardous drinking among all military branches, behind only the Marine Corps.

Drinking is deeply embedded in naval culture. The widespread availability of alcohol during shore leave, combined with the stress and isolation of extended sea deployments, makes alcohol a common coping mechanism for active-duty sailors. These drinking habits often persist and worsen after retirement or separation from the Navy.

Key statistics on alcohol use in the Navy:

• Alcoholism is the most common addiction among U.S. military personnel and Veterans
• 34% of active-component service members reported binge drinking in the past 30 days, compared to 26.5% of U.S. adults
• The Navy ranks second only to the Marine Corps for binge drinking rates among all military branches
• 65% of Veterans report alcohol as the primary substance that led them to seek addiction treatment
• Enlisted personnel and those with lower officer ranks binge drink at higher rates than senior officers

Signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse include strong cravings, blackouts, memory loss, neglecting responsibilities, increased tolerance, medical problems (high blood pressure, liver damage), and continued drinking despite knowing it is causing harm.

Drug Abuse Among Navy Service Members and Veterans

Illicit drug use among active-duty Navy personnel is low due to the zero-tolerance policy enforced under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Random drug testing and the severe consequences of a positive test (including discharge) act as strong deterrents during active service.

However, prescription medication misuse is a real concern, and the risk of all substance misuse increases after sailors leave the Navy:

• Less than 1% of active-duty service members across all branches used illicit drugs in the past year
• 4.1% of active-duty members abused at least one prescription drug, most commonly opioid painkillers
• Heroin accounts for 10.7% of admissions to VA drug rehab programs
• 598,000 Veterans misused prescription pain relievers in the past year, while 66,000 used heroin
• Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance among Veterans after separation from service

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the loss of protective factors like zero-tolerance policies and random testing after separation from service contributes to higher rates of substance misuse among Veterans compared to active-duty personnel.

Warning Signs of Substance Abuse

If you are concerned about yourself or a fellow service member, watch for these warning signs:

• Blackouts or memory loss
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
• Unusually large or small pupils
• Mood swings, irritability, or emotional withdrawal
• Poor judgment and risky behavior
• Using substances in dangerous situations
• Neglecting work, family, or personal responsibilities
• Needing more of a substance to feel the same effect (tolerance)

Mental Health in the Navy

The most common mental health issues found in the military are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.^5,9,10 PTSD prevalence is related to deployment region, and active duty and Veteran mental health statistics show that:^5,9,11-13

• Of those deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, 5-20% have PTSD.
• About 30% of Vietnam Veterans have PTSD.
• Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans, 11-20% have PTSD.
• Of those serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, 7-15% develop depression.
• More than 5% of service members have an anxiety disorder.
• Of Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans, 37-50% are diagnosed with mental illness.

PTSD involves flashbacks or nightmares, depression affects mood and thoughts, anxiety is a persistent state of fight-or-flight, and all can interfere with your ability to function normally.^9,12,14 Exposure to stresses associated with deployment, including exposure to killing or other war-related trauma, feeling that your life was in danger, or being injured can trigger these issues.^9,12,14

Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions in Navy Veterans

Navy service exposes sailors to extreme stress, extended separations from family, combat deployments, and traumatic events. These experiences increase the risk of mental health conditions that often co-occur with substance use disorders.

• PTSD: 13% to 15% of service members overall, with rates as high as 30% among those deployed to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Navy SEALs, corpsmen, and sailors attached to Marine units face some of the highest combat exposure.
• Depression: 12% to 33% of service members, with higher rates among those who experienced prolonged deployments or witnessed traumatic events during service.
• Anxiety: 9.9% of service members, frequently co-occurring with both PTSD and substance use.

Approximately 63% of Veterans who are diagnosed with a substance use disorder also meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. This high rate of overlap underscores the importance of dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both conditions at the same time.

When Substance Use and Mental Illness Overlap

Many Navy Veterans turn to alcohol or drugs to manage symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety. While substances may provide short-term relief, they worsen mental and physical health over time. Among Veterans dealing with a severe mental illness:

• 34% also struggled with binge drinking
• 23% concurrently used marijuana.
• Nearly 9% misused opioid drugs.

Integrated treatment that addresses substance use and mental health together produces significantly better outcomes than treating either condition alone.

Stigma and Barriers to Seeking Help in the Navy

Military culture values strength, toughness, and self-reliance. For many sailors, asking for help with substance use or mental health can feel like admitting weakness. The UCMJ’s zero-tolerance policy for drug use creates additional fear, as a positive test or substance-related incident during active service can lead to discharge.

For Veterans who have separated from active duty, the UCMJ no longer applies. HIPAA protections govern the confidentiality of your treatment records, and seeking addiction treatment does not affect your VA benefits eligibility.

The VA provides free, confidential screening tools for PTSD, depression, and substance abuse that you can complete from the privacy of your own home. These self-report assessments ask about substance use patterns and provide a risk score to help guide your next steps.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7. Call 988 (then press 1), text 838255, or chat online.

VA Substance Abuse Assessment

A confidential online screening through the VA identifies potential substance abuse issues in retired sailors. You can complete the online screening then print results to discuss with a health professional.

Navy Veterans Substance Abuse Program Options

Treatment for substance use disorders is available to Navy Veterans through the VA healthcare system and private providers like American Addiction Centers.

VA Treatment Services

The VA provides addiction treatment at all levels of care for enrolled Veterans:

• Medical detoxification
• Inpatient and residential rehabilitation
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
• Standard outpatient counseling
• Individual and group therapy
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid and alcohol use disorders
• Telehealth services for Veterans in rural or remote areas
• Specialized programs for women Veterans, homeless Veterans, and combat Veterans

Through the MISSION Act, Veterans who cannot access timely VA care can receive treatment at community care providers like AAC using VA benefits.

What is the Veteran Program?

American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers a Veteran program, which is designed to treat the unique issues that Veterans face. Treatment focuses on the Veteran as a whole, tailoring care to meet your needs.

Therapy addresses addiction, mental health, trauma, life skills, family/marriage counseling, and anger management. Programs often include Veterans on staff, as well as in peer groups, ensuring that you’re surrounded by people who understand your experiences and your journey in recovery.

AAC offers the 90-day promise, a guarantee that you’ll stay clean and sober upon completion of a 90-day program, or you can receive an additional 30 days of treatment for free. To get more information or to start the admission process, contact an admission navigator.

Addiction and mental health issues are common in Veterans and can feel impossible to overcome. Asking for help doesn’t mean admitting weakness but is a way to help yourself beat these challenges.

Resources are available through the VA and in your community. Community care providers, like AAC, may be able to help you overcome these obstacles. Starting treatment is the first step to a clean, healthy life.