Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. We attend parades, place flags at gravesites, and take quiet moments of reflection.
But beyond the ceremonies and speeches lies another, often invisible war, one that too many of our veterans and active-duty service members are still fighting, the fight against addiction and having to hide invisible wounds. Confronting veteran addiction is no easy task, and we have a duty to heal and support veterans beyond Memorial Day.
Countless vets struggle with substance use disorders, suicidal ideation, and drug overdose. The connection between military service and addiction is not often discussed, but it should be. The very nature of military life, long deployments, exposure to trauma, physical injuries, and an ingrained culture of resilience create a perfect storm for emotional and psychological strain. But there are resources and, most importantly, a chance to create more dialogue about the issues.
According to census data, in 2022, 136,204 veterans were living in New Mexico. While it is challenging to know how many locally struggle with addiction and mental health issues, there are some national and state trends among veterans and the general population that offer some insight into the problem.
Veteran suicide rates in New Mexico, for example, show that the state ranks 4th highest in the nation for veteran suicide rates. It’s estimated that one veteran commits suicide every four days or 75 to 90 veterans commit suicide per year, according to the New Mexico VA Health Care System.
Nationally, the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 6.3% of veterans had a substance use disorder in the past year. Alcohol use, for example, was common among 56% of veterans, while 22% engaged in binge drinking, and 5.2% experienced an alcohol use disorder.
Alcohol abuse, unfortunately, is a common precursor for addiction and suicidal ideation and increases the risk of drug overdose. New Mexico consistently has the highest alcohol-related death rate in the country and ranked sixth nationally for drug overdose deaths in 2021. Similarly, the state’s overdosed death rate increased by 68 percent, and 1,029 New Mexicans died of a drug overdose in 2021, according to a 2023 state progress report.
On a day when we reflect on service and sacrifice, we must also reflect on our responsibility. Honoring our military community means more than moments of silence or waving flags; it means fighting for those who are still with us and who are fighting battles we don’t always see.
There are resources to help, such as the Veterans Crisis Line; dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255 anywhere in the state. There is also the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line, 1-855-662-7474. This is a statewide mental health crisis line for anyone who resides in the State of New Mexico. It is a centralized, single telephone number answered by professional counselors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Finally, we should support community-based organizations and nonprofits doing critical work in this space. Many of these groups offer holistic, veteran-centered services that go beyond what traditional institutions can provide, from recreational and non-traditional therapy and outdoor rehabilitation programs to job training and sober housing.
The connection between military service and substance use disorders is not a comfortable topic. But it is a necessary one. To truly honor the men and women who defend our freedoms, we must be willing to confront the unseen battles they face and commit ourselves to being part of their recovery.
Jody Boulay is a mother of two with a passion for helping others. She currently works as a Community Outreach Coordinator for DRS to help spread awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
