OPINION — Memorial Day is, rightly, a solemn occasion to honor and mourn the military personnel who gave their lives in service to this country. But it should also be a time to reflect on those who returned home and are still fighting battles of their own.
For too many veterans, that battle is substance-use disorder.
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 2.8 million U.S. veterans — roughly 14% of all veterans — reported experiencing at least one substance-use disorder in the past year. Among veterans entering VA care for the first time, 11% meet the criteria for substance-use disorder, a rate higher than the general population.
