'Veterans With Alcohol Addiction Don't Seek Help Until Their Sixties'

A mental health charity has found that veterans with alcohol addiction problems are putting off seeking help until their sixties.

Research from Combat Stress also revealed that veterans are more likely to receive help after being admitted to hospital with other physical health problems.

According to Combat Stress Chief Executive Sue Freeth, as many as 43% of veterans registered with the charity have a current problem with alcohol misuse:

"We're all too aware that many... veterans use alcohol or drugs to help them to manage their trauma and emotional health."

"This study shows that more support is needed to increase awareness among veterans of the dangers of drinking harmful levels of alcohol, to help them recognise they need help, and to assist them in engaging with specialist services sooner to access effective treatments so they can make a lasting recovery.”

The study, carried out in collaboration with Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the King's Centre for Military Health Research, looked at differences in alcohol misuse between veterans and the general public admitted to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth over an 18-month period.

It also found that on average veterans were admitted to hospital for longer periods of time than civilians.

Given the cost of a night stay in a hospital ward, this could have considerable cost implications for the NHS.

Combat Stress is currently piloting a Veterans' Substance Misuse Case Management Service in seven locations across the UK.

It is now calling for more to be done to help former servicemen and women seek help earlier.