Understanding and Treating Men Emotionally Damaged in Combat
By William Henry, CAC

Working at Peniel as addiction counselors, we are seeing more and more clients who are entering treatment with multiple addiction problems. This increasingly growing trend requires more sensitivity as we work harder when two addiction problems run concurrently. In addition to the drug or alcohol addiction, I want to focus on the specific area of trauma that is most common among combat veterans.

Although it has been more than thirty years, I can vividly remember my pain and suffering as well as other men of war as we fought for freedom half-way around the world in a little known country called Vietnam. As a high school graduate, eighteen years old, I fit the profile for the average American soldier fighting in this military campaign.

We as a nation, prayed along with those of us who fought, were wounded and died in the jungles of Vietnam struggling through the hardships for at least one year of fulfilling our tour in combat. Our brave men and women were engaged in many facets of that war subjecting themselves to mental anguish, extensive combat encounters, untold hazards and many risks that plague our men today.

My comrades in the Vietnam War as well as those from the Gulf War experienced numerous traumatic situations associated with the horrors of those wars. Many of these veterans continue to struggle and have not adjusted to life because of those encounters. The most common condition suffered by veterans of war is known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is an emotional and psychological reaction to trauma (a painful, shocking experience).

Peniel is very sensitive to each applicant who applies for treatment. We take great care in screening every client, identifying primary as well as secondary problems associated with their need. When a client’s history or behavior indicates symptoms of PTSD, we then must determine if the condition is a primary or secondary problem associated with his addiction.

This condition in some cases leads to the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol due to the reoccurring painful memories of the client. We understand that PTSD may come and go for years after the veteran has had his initial experience in combat. Some veterans who are survivors of torture, or were prisoners of war, or those who succumbed to fear resulting in failure in their responsibilities as a soldier in combat, must deal with the shame of having lost control. Drugs or alcohol is a likely choice for dealing with their painful experience.

Symptoms to look for in addressing this condition include recurrent memories or flashbacks of traumatic situations. Another symptom is nightmares. Soldiers may recall their trauma nightly in their sleep, which is also common with PTSD. Other symptoms are emotional numbing to include depression.

Additionally, feelings of sadness, hopeless and loneliness, which can last a long time, affect his relationships, employment and the daily life of a veteran. Survivor guilt is also a symptom of PTSD and indicates the veteran feels guilty for surviving when others did not. Evidence of this behavior is demonstrated daily when you visit the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. Increased irritability may include insomnia or jumpiness when the veteran is unable to relax or is on guard constantly trying to avoid situations that remind them of trauma.

Keep in mind that PTSD is a result of the impact, devastation and horror of war and affects the lives of the combat soldier as well as his family. We believe that this condition is absolutely reversible with treatment.

At Peniel, treatment options include having a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, who is the foundation for all recovery. Following this initial step, clients receive individual counseling therapy, where problems are acknowledged, addressed and resolved. Secondly, family therapy sessions are used, when appropriate, that include all members of the family working together to gain understanding and work toward recovery. Group therapy sessions place together those who have had similar experiences for support and resolutions.

We at Peniel feel honored to serve all of our clients with their individual needs. To help those veterans in our community who are seeking to find a way out of their dilemma which may include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or drug and alcohol addiction, give us a call.