The War in Iraq started out as a war on Terror and troops went overseas willingly to protect American's honor, but things have changed in the years that have passed. Troops who have returned from active duty in Iraq after years in a war are coming home with suffering from depression and PTSD. They are pleading with the government to help with adjusting with civilian life all while battling nightmares and depression. Some troops are talked out of seeking Psychiatric help, and some are afraid to seek help. Instead they pretend that everything else is okay while hiding what is really happening. Not feeling as though they can turn to the government, or family they are turning to alcohol. News broadcast, magazines constantly write about car bombings and troops that are killed over there now, but what they do not write about is the troops that are back home.
Post Traumatic Stress disorder is increasing more and more with each passing day. Some troops do not know that they are suffering from it. Instead, they hide behind it and drink themselves away. Alcohol is a depressant, and is easily addictive. In some cases, alcohol is not enough to stop the nightmares and hallucinations and they turn to drugs. Sometimes suicide is the only out for these troops. Only recently have the people started to speak out on what is happening. Even then, it is not enough because those focus groups only surround troops that are suffering from severe depression and PTSD, not alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse is having a very horrible affect on not only the troops, but their families as well. Husband or wives of these troops do not know how to handle what is happening in their household. They do not speak to their spouses because they do not want to make matters worse, so they do not say anything at all. They decide not to acknowledge the problem, but denying the problem will only be a disadvantage for the troops. Instead of just sending the troops home and not giving them any resources to help through readjusting to civilian life, they should start a mentor program. This program will give returning troops a friend or buddy who they can talk with about anything they are feeling, someone who will understand and not judge them. If they are given help and resources, troops will not turn to alcohol. Abusing alcohol does not solve the problem; it only makes the problem worse.
Alcohol abuse is only the start, if it is not stopped it'll develop into something more. The troops deserve better than to be dismissed and sent back into civilian life. Acknowledging the problem is the first step to solving it.