Grief, financial stress, trauma reminders, or a loved one who is deployed can turn December into something that feels more heavy than joyful. When alcohol is everywhere and “holiday cheer” often means drinking, the risk for substance use can grow, especially for veterans who already live with PTSD, depression, or chronic pain.
In 2025, an estimated 109,000 veterans live in West Virginia, accounting for close to 8 percent of the state’s adult population. That means almost all of us know a veteran or a veteran’s family. As neighbors, friends, and community members, we are not powerless. There is a lot we can do to stand beside veterans and their families in Point Pleasant and across West Virginia.
In this article, you will find:
Military service does not end when someone hangs up the uniform. It follows families into living rooms, schools, churches, and holiday gatherings.
Veteran and active duty families may be carrying things that are not always visible, like memories of combat, ongoing health issues or chronic pain, grief over friends who never made it home, job changes or financial insecurity after leaving the service, and long waits for benefits and appointments.
When Christmas and New Year’s arrive, those stressors do not disappear. They sometimes get sharper.
For many veteran families, December brings mixed emotions.
Common holiday triggers include:
If you notice a veteran or their family pulling back this time of year, it may not be about you. It might be their nervous system trying to stay safe.
Many veterans have lived through events that would be hard for anyone to process. Some carry combat trauma. Others carry sexual trauma, military harassment, or abuse from earlier in life that was never addressed.
Alcohol and drugs can become a way to sleep without nightmares, numb anger or anxiety, avoid intrusive thoughts for a few hours, or feel connected when they feel different from everyone else in the room.
It is understandable that people reach for relief. At the same time, the short-term relief that substances bring can become a long-term problem.
National research has found that:
When you add holiday stress, easy access to alcohol, and family expectations, the risk can increase even more.
When Substance Use Becomes a Concern
Even with strong support, some veterans and family members will find themselves leaning on alcohol or other substances more heavily during the holidays. It is important to notice the signs and respond early.
If you are seeing several of these signs, it may be time to start a gentle, honest conversation.
Here are some examples of things you might say to help:
Avoid labels like “alcoholic” or “addict.” Focus on what you see and how much you care about their well-being.
You do not have to be a professional or an expert to make a difference. You just need a willingness to notice and act.
If you have a veteran or veteran family in your life, try asking the following questions:
Remember, they may not want to talk about their military experiences. Respect that. Your goal is not to pull their story out. Your goal is to let them know they are not alone.
“Let me know if you need anything” is kind, but it puts the work back on the family. Specific offers are easier to accept.
You might offer to:
Small acts add up. What feels small to you can feel enormous to someone who is exhausted. Here is a quick way to think about everyday support in Point Pleasant:
| Area of Need | Simple Action You Can Take | Holiday Example |
| Emotional support | Check in regularly | Send a short text on Christmas Eve to say you are thinking of them |
| Practical help | Take something off their to-do list | Pick up extra groceries before a snowstorm and drop them off |
| Social connection | Offer low-pressure invitations | Invite them to a small game night instead of a big party |
| Safety and comfort | Adjust your plans to reduce stress | Keep fireworks early and brief, or skip them if they are a trigger |
| Access to resources | Help bridge the gap to services or benefits | Offer a ride to the VA clinic or help fill out online forms |
Being flexible shows that your relationship matters more than any specific holiday tradition.
Along with personal support, connecting families to community resources can lighten the load. Many of these resources also offer volunteer opportunities if you can donate your time. Here are a few to know about and share.
You do not have to partner with every organization. Choose one or two that fit your skills, resources, and time. Consistent support is more helpful than trying to do everything at once.
If holidays, trauma, and substance use are colliding for a veteran or veteran family in your life, professional support can be a turning point.
Together, as neighbors in Point Pleasant and across West Virginia, we can make the holidays a little safer, a little calmer, and a lot more connected for those who have already given so much.
At Hope for Tomorrow, we understand that veterans and their families often face unique challenges with trauma, mental health, and substance or alcohol use, especially around the holidays. Our programs are designed to address mental health and substance use together through trauma-informed, dual diagnosis care for veterans, spouses, partners, and other family members.
Clients have access to counseling, family education, and coordinated support that explains how trauma, stress, and substance use are connected. If you are a veteran, a family member, or a provider serving veteran households, and you are concerned about alcohol or substance use, we can help you understand options and next steps.
To refer a patient or learn more about our programs, contact us at 877-679-8162.
Treatment today for a brighter tomorrow.