Telling the VA I am drug addicted

[101stfan]

I was wondering if anyone on the forum thinks that telling the VA that i am drug addicted could come back to hurt me somehow later in life.I have an appointment on the 15th of this month.
         thanks for any help.

[Skidmore]

Hi Guys welcome to the forum,I will say a prayer and wish you both the best in attemting to ditch the demons ,pills and other supstance .I thank you for your service to our great county.I am a former marine from 1977.

[selfinduced]

  I have a question? (sorry I haven't read all the post) , but were all these med's you are addicted to prescribed? If so then YES, i would tell the VA you have not had a good long term results with the Dr.'s treatment and you need alternatives as well as help getting off the meds. If not prescribed, than it may be a trickier scenario. Either way , there should not be any shame in what you are going thru. Main priority is to get clean in any way necessary and get on with the greatness of life without a crutch. Your doing your homework , thats smart. Wish I had more answers. So much credit to you for reaching out.

[101stfan]

I want to thank everyone for there comments.I am still not to sure if I will tell them or not.My biggest concern is that some time later in life this will follow me.I don't know how it could hurt but something tells me it might.I was thinking about insurance or even  if God forbid I would need a transplant.I just don't know
.One thing I do know is I will be getting clean.By this time next year this will be just a bad dream...........Dennis
            

[at108810]

  I am a vet and am thinking the same thing. I would tell them that you want off the meds but when you do it you go thru really bad withdrawls. I am and its true. coming up on day three and it did suck,but do it at any cost. Your 101, I'm spec war. we've been through enough before. This is now your target.. I'm not going to say good luck, cause I know you can do it. If you fall< GET BACK UP!!  you can do it my friend.
                                                                    A.T

[LivinginTexas]

Hi I too thank you for your service and dedication to our county. I am the proud mother of a US Air Force vet. He was only 23 while during practice maneuvers on base he tore a muscle in his groin that began to bleed into the tissue and had to be hospitalized. While recovering from this injury he became addicted to prescription pain meds which is really not surprising due to his addictive tendencies.

Fast forward a year later now the AF doc wants him off the meds and he realizes he can't quit. So they shipped him off to rehab in Colorado. After being there 6 weeks and really trying to work the program he likened it to being in a mental health hospital as they are trying to treat all kinds of issues in one facility. He was about to go nuts. He was able to get released and went back to base and started counseling

Another 6 Mo's go by and his wife leaves him and he starts drinking heavily. After A TON of back and forth they finally decide to give him a medical discharge. He moves back to our town expecting government $ while he gets back on his feet - he asks for counseling and it takes them 3 months to get him in.

Now we are in present day (another year later) he finally last week started getting his $. He spent the last year getting clean and sober and he found a wonderful girl and has a great job

My point is the VA wheels turn incredibly slow so make sure you have other avenues of help if and when u tell them. I love my son dearly but watching him implode a struggle to get better has taken a huge toll on our family. Please don't wait around on the VA to help u. Make sure u have backup plans in place to cover you.  

Just remember half the battle is admitting u are an addict

[hiwpew523]

First, thank you for your service to our country. I am mother to a United States Marine and I'd love to shake your hand right now.

As a veteran, your benefits are already set, I'm guessing. You have nothing to fear anymore from your superiors in uniform, either.  But I do understand how you are nervous about the agency knowing such a thing. We never know how bureaucratic agencies will act.

If you have doubts, perhaps you can call your local mental health center and ask general questions about services to veterans. Tell them you'd like to let the VA know but are afraid of repercussions.  They might have some answers for you.

I agree with onthefence; you will feel much better when you let them know.  But you will also feel good going in with a solid plan.  

Best of luck to you.

[onthefence]

they say the truth shall set one free. I think the truth is usually the best, but this is a decision you would have to make on your own as only you know your individual situation, and there very well could be some consequences, although I have no idea what they could be.
Go with your heart.......