New Partnership Tackles Dual Challenges Facing UK Veterans: Substance Misuse and PTSD
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In a pioneering move to address the complex mental health needs of UK Armed Forces veterans, charities Change Grow Live (CGL) and PTSD Resolution (PTSDR) have joined forces to launch an innovative programme. This collaboration provides integrated care for veterans struggling with both substance misuse and post-traumatic stress. The two related conditions are rarely treated simultaneously by mental health services - often veterans are required to address addiction issues before they can receive trauma treatment.
The six-month pilot programme initially supports 30 veterans in St Helens, with a view to extending it across England, and represents a significant step forward in veteran care say the two charities. It combines CGL's expertise in substance misuse treatment with PTSDR's specialisation in veteran mental health, using Human Givens Therapy, a proven approach for treating trauma.
Research studies have highlighted the urgent need for integrated care arising from recent conflicts. Of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan in a combat role, 17% reported symptoms of PTSD and 30% were predicted to develop a mental health condition (British Journal of Psychiatry, 8 October 2018).
Alcohol has historically been used in the UK Armed Forces to encourage bonding and to deal with difficult experiences: 10% of serving personnel meet the criteria for alcohol misuse, compared with 3% in the general population (Kings College London 2020). Among veterans who sought help from their GP for stress or mental health issues, 18% met the criteria for alcohol misuse (Kings College London 2020).
Despite these statistics, veterans are less likely than non-veterans to seek support for substance use. This reluctance, coupled with the complexity of their needs, often leads to poorer treatment outcomes. The CGL-PTSDR partnership aims to address this gap by providing tailored, comprehensive care that recognises the unique challenges faced by veterans.
Integrated Care
Charles Highett, CEO of PTSD Resolution, stated: "Too often veterans suffering from military trauma or related mental health issues are told by other health services that they first have to resolve any addiction issues before getting treatment for the underlying trauma. We treat all veterans, provided they are sober for the therapy session of course. The new research will confirm the efficacy of this approach.”
Dr. Ben Grall, Specialty Doctor and member of CGL's Veterans Task Force, added: "At CGL, we've seen firsthand the complex interplay between substance misuse and mental health issues among veterans. This partnership with PTSD Resolution enables us to address these challenges holistically, providing veterans with the full support they need and deserve."
The pilot programme will involve CGL identifying suitable veterans based on their stability in substance abuse recovery and willingness to engage in mental health treatment. PTSDR will then provide these veterans with appropriate mental health interventions, using Human Givens Therapy. Both organisations will jointly monitor progress and assess the impact on mental health and overall functioning.
Success will be evaluated based on engagement and retention in treatment, improvement in PTSD symptoms and overall mental health, impact on substance abuse recovery, and veteran satisfaction with the services provided.
This collaboration aligns closely with legislative changes to the Armed Forces Act and the government's 10-Year Drugs Strategy - and supports joint commitments to the Armed Forces Covenant. If successful, the pilot has the potential to be expanded nationwide, potentially transforming the landscape of veteran care in the UK.
Free Support for Forces Veterans
The integrated approach could have far-reaching implications beyond mental health and substance misuse. By providing more effective, comprehensive care, the programme aims to contribute to reducing homelessness among veterans, improving their employment prospects, and helping to reunite families affected by these issues.
Veterans interested in participating in this groundbreaking programme, which is free, are encouraged to contact their local CGL service for more information. Other organisations working in veteran support, mental health, or substance misuse fields are invited to follow the progress of this pilot and consider how they might participate in or learn from its outcomes.
PTSD Resolution is a charity providing free, prompt, and effective mental health treatment for UK Armed Forces veterans, reservists, and their families. They operate through a network of 200 therapists nationwide, delivering therapy in an average of six sessions.
Change Grow Live is the UK's largest third-sector provider of drug and alcohol treatment services. Since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021, they have supported 3,888 veterans nationally and currently have 1,000 veterans on their caseload.
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Editors notes
PTSD Resolution: Free, Prompt, Confidential and Effective treatment for Military Post-Traumatic Stress
PTSD Resolution, Charity No. 1133188, provides therapy for the mental welfare of Forces’ Veterans, Reservists and their families. Treatment is free, effective and delivered promptly and locally through a network of 200 therapists nationwide, and also by phone and internet. The charity can also work with organisations to help the mental welfare of their non-veteran staff, by arrangement.
Founded in 2009, the charity is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists to the Quality Network for Veterans Mental Health Services (QNVMHS). It has had over 3,500 referrals to date, and delivers therapy in an average of seven sessions, with major number of cases seeing an improvement to where the client and therapist agree that no further therapy is required.
The charity is one of the only organisations to provide therapy to veterans suffering with addiction issues or who are in prison - as well as to family members, including partners and children, who may experience the symptoms of trauma from living with a traumatised veteran.
PTSD Resolution has a uniquely ‘lean’ operation, with no salaried staff or assets - funds are used to deliver therapy and for essential research and public information.
Contact www.PTSDresolution.org
