By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Upon returning from war, veterans face numerous stressors. Some find positive coping mechanisms, while others struggle with substance abuse. Despite available resources, gaps persist, particularly for Black veterans who have historically faced barriers to care.
Ashley Hall, director of Alcohol and Drug Services at Singing River Services, and Elvis Rosales, clinical director at Align Recovery Centers, share insights on the state of veteran addiction recovery programs, their effectiveness and what more needs to be done.
“African-American veterans often face additional barriers to accessing quality addiction treatment,” said Hall. “Studies have shown that Black veterans are less likely to be referred to specialty SUD (substance use disorder) treatment and often experience implicit bias in the healthcare system, leading to gaps in care.”
Hall emphasized the need for culturally responsive recovery resources.
“Expanding access to peer-led recovery groups, faith-based initiatives and holistic healing approaches can significantly improve engagement and success rates for African-American veterans,” said Hall. “Without these specialized supports, they risk higher relapse rates and untreated mental health conditions that further hinder their reintegration into civilian life.”
Hall highlighted resources the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides.
“VA and affiliated community organizations offer extensive resources for veterans struggling with SUD,” she said. “The VA’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs provide evidence-based treatments, including medication-assisted treatment, individual and group counseling and inpatient rehabilitation.”
“Many VA medical centers collaborate with Vet Centers, which offer confidential counseling outside the traditional VA system for those who prefer community-based care,” she added.
Hall emphasized the need for culturally competent providers, highlighting the VA’s work in this area.
“It is crucial to ensure that African-American veterans have treatment providers who understand their unique challenges,” she said. “Programs like the Minority Veterans Program Coordinators within the VA aim to bridge these gaps by advocating for equitable access to care.”
She explained how useful community-based organizations can be in creating safe spaces for Black veterans and others who may not trust government institutions.
Rosales, a licensed clinical social worker, noted that veterans struggle with addiction at higher rates than civilians.
“Veterans consistently experience higher rates of substance use disorders and are also less likely to seek treatment,” he said. “Add housing instability on top of that, and it’s clear how recovery can be elusive due to barriers in maintaining consistent treatment.”
Hall claims that to truly help veterans, a holistic effort toward assisting their financial and legal issues is needed.
“Traditional addiction recovery methods, sadly, aren’t enough,” said Rosales. “We must consider how PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and other service-related trauma affect substance use in veteran populations.”