How the Politics of War Impact Veterans

Armed conflict is a wholly transformative and traumatic experience. Veterans who have lived through such life-threatening situations or were engaged in an active warzone can carry these experiences with them for the rest of their lives. In addition to the physical and emotional dangers of an active warzone, the politics surrounding war can also have drastic effects on the mental health of veterans in various ways. War will always be a difficult situation to process. However, addressing the politics of war at home can be incredibly trying for veterans trying to establish their own healthy and fulfilling civilian life. 

Moving from a structured military life or an active warzone to civilian life is a major transition. Veterans are tasked with navigating this transition while coping with pervasive feelings of anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and much more. It is crucial to find the right support during this time to make this transition in a healthy manner. This is especially true if a veteran feels compelled to self-medicate these challenges by using drugs or alcohol. 

Further, this home front can still present a number of unique challenges, from veterans feeling misunderstood by peers to having a hard time connecting to other civilians in a new lifestyle. However, the politics surrounding specific wars can be a massive barrier for veterans navigating this transition.

Active service members are taught to follow orders in the field of duty, working alongside their unit to accomplish a particular goal. However, many veterans may still have their own opinions about the work being done. Some veterans may not fully agree with their mission depending on their experiences in service, making the transition to civilian life very complicated. Other veterans may harbor regrets about their operations or deployments, with many experiencing moral injuries as a result of their conflicting emotions. These challenges are already incredibly complicated, especially if a veteran was injured or lost brothers or sisters in arms pursuing a goal they did not wholly believe in. 

Moreover, some veterans may wholly support and take pride in answering the call of duty but are met with additional barriers regarding the politics of war upon their return to civilian life. Dealing with not just each veteran’s own struggles with their belief, trauma, and experiences in war, but also external forces and politics, can all create an incredibly complex and trying transition.

War always carries political weight. Further, the perspectives of civilians not engaged in an active warzone can still have drastic impacts. Veterans surrounded by people who do not support the war in the first place can introduce a great deal of doubt or pain for veterans, either as they feel as if they risked their lives for nothing, or experienced great loss, only to be criticized for their actions. This can create incredibly tough barriers to overcome. Additionally, feelings of isolation, misunderstandings, or being ostracized by the communities that these veterans were working to protect can be common experiences among veterans returning to civilian life.

However, dissenting opinions about engagement in a certain war are just the beginning, and politics surrounding other wars or engagements can still have their impact. Coupled with the inherent disconnect between veterans and civilians who have never served on tour or in any branch of the armed forces, feelings of depression, resentment, anger, guilt, and more can all be further exacerbated.

Lastly, the politics of war can often be described in overall terms, with battles won or casualties portrayed in numbers. While this can make it more palatable for civilians, it can also be actively difficult for veterans, who instead experienced war as a unit. The people and faces behind these operations and intense human costs can be incredibly personal, further adding stress to this already tumultuous time. 

There is no easy way to address and overcome the prolonged effects of war on veterans. Facing the fallout of the politics of war back on the homefront can add an entirely new dimension of stress to a veteran’s transition to civilian life. For some, these politics can further prevalent feelings of anxiety or stress, and can further lead to feelings of isolation that veterans already face. As a result, complex emotional states, trauma, and the use of drugs or alcohol are common among veterans as coping mechanisms. 

Employing strategies like avoiding social media or places where politically-charged speech is common. Discussing experiences in personal terms is necessary to distance oneself from the political impact and prioritize each veteran’s personal health and needs. 

Professional treatment may be necessary to address any potentially self-destructive coping strategies and the stresses of politics back home in civilian life. Fortunately, there are many treatment programs in Hawaii available for veterans seeking recovery. 

Creating relationships with peers in veteran-specific treatment may be necessary to gain a feeling of belonging and camaraderie and overcome these challenges with other veterans navigating the same challenges. Meeting with peers to legitimize these feelings who understand the personal taxes that military life can take is necessary, all while creating an environment where politics come second to the human impact of military life.

The politics of war are difficult for many veterans to process, especially while creating a healthy civilian life. If you or a loved one are transitioning to your veteran life and are ready to explore the available treatment programs in Hawaii, we at Hawaii Island Recovery can help. Our approach to dedicated veteran care creates a unique and personal atmosphere, combining proven therapeutic practices for addressing addiction and mental health needs while creating an atmosphere of healing. Alongside our veteran community, we can help you pursue your best personal and spiritual healing while connecting you with like-minded peers to create a comprehensive approach to recovery. Whether you are challenging addiction or the anxiety of politics, call us at (866) 390-5070.