Troops abusing alcohol has roughly doubled in the last five years

The "cure" of choice when soldiers do not feel safe seeking help for PTSD is alcohol. They want to numb what they do not want to feel anymore. It should come as no shock the number of troops abusing alcohol has doubled.

Army Hiring More Counselors for Alcohol Abuse
August 04, 2011
Associated Press|by Pauline Jelinek
WASHINGTON -- The Army is increasing its staff of substance abuse counselors by about 30 percent to help the rising number of troops with alcohol problems.

Officials said Wednesday that they posted 130 new job openings this week in hopes of increasing staff to counsel Soldiers at bases around the world from the current level of around 400.

"One of the largest challenges in maintaining health is addressing issues of substance abuse by our Soldiers," Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli said. Getting more qualified counselors to areas where there are staff shortfalls "is an issue that needs to be rectified as soon as possible."

The number of troops abusing alcohol has roughly doubled in the last five years as Soldiers go through the stressful cycle of training, serving in the wars, readjusting to home life and then doing it all over again months later, Dr. Les McFarling, head of the army's substance program, said in an interview.
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Army Hiring More Counselors for Alcohol Abuse