How common is substance abuse among veterans?

According to the Drug Policy Alliance, 19 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans receiving VA care have been diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence. In the 2008 U.S. Department of Defense Health Behavior Survey, 27 percent of Army soldiers screened three to four months after returning from deployment to Iraq met criteria for alcohol abuse and were at increased risk for related harmful behaviors, such as drinking and driving and using illicit drugs.

Seventy-five percent of Vietnam veterans with PTSD also reported a substance abuse or dependence based on a national study.