Iraq & Afghanistan War
War, whether it was centuries ago, or going on currently, impacts those fighting in many ways. For example, in the Iraq and Afghanistan war, there were over 8,000 soldiers killed in action since 2001. That number stems from a total of 14 years of combat operations. In comparison, there are nearly the same number of suicides by U.S. servicemen and women every single year. Soldiers are not only impacted by physical injury, but there is a very substantial amount of them who are impacted mentally as well. The physical and mental effects of war are extreme and can be very overwhelming to those who are forced to experience them.
The Iraq and Afghanistan war began in October 2001 following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 on the …show more content…
In Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), a total of about 6,840 American soldiers died. Of these deaths, approximately 2,662 of them were due to hostile action. The branch of the military that suffered the most casualties was the Army (The Washington Post). Injuries that many military members suffered include second and third degree burns, broken bones, brain and or nerve damage, loss of limbs, sight or hearing, paralysis, and more. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), around 52,010 men and women were wounded in action (Watson Institute). Studies show that the cost of Iraq and Afghanistan war totaled around $4 trillion and $6 trillion, including long-term medical treatment and disability compensation for servicemen and women (Global Research News). It is clear to see that the physical impact of the war was extremely costly in terms of money and lives. While many troops had permanent physical damage, a very large number of them also suffered from severe mental damage as …show more content…
It is strongly associated with PTSD. Almost 22% of troops with PTSD also have substance abuse disorder, or SUD. SUD may refer to alcohol use, drug use, or both. In terms of alcohol abuse, it is more prominent in male veterans than female veterans. Studies show that 56% of male veterans and 41% of female veterans use alcohol (NCADD). Some troops even turn to illicit drugs. A survey done by the Department of Defense in 2008 showed that 2.3% of military personnel were past month users of illicit drugs (DrugFacts). Out of all of the servicemen and women who fought in OIF and OEF, upwards of 11% of them have been diagnosed with SUD (SAMHSA). Substance abuse can likely lead to the death of the abuser, but another significant cause of death in returning troops is
War, whether it was centuries ago, or going on currently, impacts those fighting in many ways. For example, in the Iraq and Afghanistan war, there were over 8,000 soldiers killed in action since 2001. That number stems from a total of 14 years of combat operations. In comparison, there are nearly the same number of suicides by U.S. servicemen and women every single year. Soldiers are not only impacted by physical injury, but there is a very substantial amount of them who are impacted mentally as well. The physical and mental effects of war are extreme and can be very overwhelming to those who are forced to experience them.
The Iraq and Afghanistan war began in October 2001 following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 on the …show more content…
In Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), a total of about 6,840 American soldiers died. Of these deaths, approximately 2,662 of them were due to hostile action. The branch of the military that suffered the most casualties was the Army (The Washington Post). Injuries that many military members suffered include second and third degree burns, broken bones, brain and or nerve damage, loss of limbs, sight or hearing, paralysis, and more. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), around 52,010 men and women were wounded in action (Watson Institute). Studies show that the cost of Iraq and Afghanistan war totaled around $4 trillion and $6 trillion, including long-term medical treatment and disability compensation for servicemen and women (Global Research News). It is clear to see that the physical impact of the war was extremely costly in terms of money and lives. While many troops had permanent physical damage, a very large number of them also suffered from severe mental damage as …show more content…
It is strongly associated with PTSD. Almost 22% of troops with PTSD also have substance abuse disorder, or SUD. SUD may refer to alcohol use, drug use, or both. In terms of alcohol abuse, it is more prominent in male veterans than female veterans. Studies show that 56% of male veterans and 41% of female veterans use alcohol (NCADD). Some troops even turn to illicit drugs. A survey done by the Department of Defense in 2008 showed that 2.3% of military personnel were past month users of illicit drugs (DrugFacts). Out of all of the servicemen and women who fought in OIF and OEF, upwards of 11% of them have been diagnosed with SUD (SAMHSA). Substance abuse can likely lead to the death of the abuser, but another significant cause of death in returning troops is