In This Issue

Feature Topic

Concerned About Your Drinking?
Get Help with VetChange

Experts estimate that as many as 40% or more of Veterans returning from deployment in the recent conflicts are drinking at unhealthy levels. Many of them also experience PTSD symptoms and other stresses that may prompt them to drink more – even though alcohol often makes these problems worse. But it's sometimes hard to go get help in person.

What is VetChange?

VetChange is a convenient, free, and confidential resource to help Veterans start taking control of their drinking.

VetChange is self-directed. It works by helping you:

• Set your own goals for reducing your drinking
• Teaching you skills for cutting back or stopping
• Making it easy to track your progress over time

You'll create a personalized plan to deal with real-life situations and moods that can trigger drinking, and learn to deal with anger, sleep problems and stress without using alcohol.

Get Started

Sign up for a free account: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/apps/change

VetChange is based on scientific research and it works on smartphones, tablets and computers.

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For Providers

Consult with PTSD Experts

The National Center's PTSD Consultation Program offers free PTSD consultation to any provider who treats Veterans in any setting.

Consultation can be by phone or email. If by phone, consultation can be scheduled based on your availability.

PTSD Lecture Series

Free continuing education credits for our monthly lecture series.

Download a calendar reminder to save the date for the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 pm ET.

Subscribe

Subscribe to receive monthly emails that include a registration link and instructions for joining the live lectures.

January 2018 Lecture

• January 17: Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD, Denise Sloan, PhD and Brian Marx, PhD

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Research at the Center

Ongoing Research

Two online courses for family members of Veterans with PTSD or alcohol use disorders are being tested. An ongoing Center trial examines if these trainings increase Veterans' use of mental health care and improve family members' wellbeing and relationship quality.

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PTSD in the News

10 Symptoms of PTSD Everyone Should Know. Dr. Sonya Norman, Director of the PTSD Consultation Program, contributed to the Health.com article about PTSD and stigma. Read more.*

Be sure to forward this update to others so they can subscribe. We send one update per month to keep you informed of the latest PTSD developments.

Thank you,

The Staff of VA’s National Center for PTSD

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