Drug and mental health crisis treatment among Latino veterans.

Many military veterans returning from war face mental health issues, according to a 2014 study, one in four veterans met the criteria for a mental health diagnosis and this situation is also faced by veterans in our community.

Dr. Nancy Diazgranados, Associate Clinical Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism-NIAAA, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, discusses some of the factors why veterans turn to alcohol and drugs.

She points out that young and Latino military members also face drug and alcohol problems, but treatment is available. Nancy Diazgranados, M.D., adds that there are prescription medications that help veterans with mental health issues.

She comments that there are currently therapies assisted with psychotropic substances and traditional healing practices and medicine.

Although she recognizes that these treatments with psychotropic substances still need to be analyzed. Nancy Diazgranados, points out that, although there are Latinos participating in studies on addiction treatment, more are always needed for the results to be representative.

Finally, she recommends that Latino veterans who sometimes consume alcohol to lessen their anxiety and stress problems seek alternatives and ask for help. This despacho is made possible in part by The Sierra Health Foundation.