Military Appreciation Month: Caring for Our Nation’s Heroes

May marks Military Appreciation Month—a dedicated time to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve in our nation’s armed forces. It’s a meaningful opportunity to reflect on their sacrifices, celebrate their contributions, and show gratitude for their unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms.

A Focus on Mental Health

This month, communities nationwide are coming together to raise awareness about mental health. For active-duty service members and veterans, mental health challenges can take unique forms—often shaped by the demands of service and the lasting impact of combat or deployment. 

By increasing understanding and breaking the stigma, we can help those struggling see treatment not as a weakness, but as a courageous step toward healing.

Salute to Recovery: A Path Toward Healing for Veterans

American Addiction Center’s Joy Sutton, Host of “Addiction Talk,” addressed these issues while talking with experts from River Oaks Treatment Center. They lead Salute to Recovery, a specialized treatment program for Veterans. 

At our rehab facility in Riverview, the Salute to Recovery program is designed specifically for Veterans—offering a supportive environment where healing begins. This program helps Veterans work through the trauma of their service, reconnect with loved ones, and begin the process of restoring parts of themselves that may feel lost or broken. With the right support, recovery is not only possible—it’s within reach.

Our team at River Oaks is committed to helping service members and veterans find healthier paths to healing—through compassionate, evidence-based care rooted in both clinical expertise and firsthand military experience.

Ending the Stigma: Early Treatment Matters

There are members of the military who may find themselves struggling with substance use during or after their service. 

The signs of substance misuse aren’t always obvious at first, but they may appear as:

• Decreased appetite or weight loss.
• Looking sickly, such as bloodshot eyes and paler skin.
• Noticeable changes in behavior.
• Responding angrily or becoming argumentative when asked about substance use.
• A lack of motivation and even poor work performance.
• Changes in spending habits and issues with personal finances.

One of the most effective ways to reduce addiction and mental health struggles among service members and veterans is to normalize seeking help early. There’s still a stigma around asking for help, but the sooner we break that barrier, the better chance these men and women have at long-term success and stability.

Military life brings unique risk factors that can contribute to substance use and addiction, including:

• Combat experiences.
• Psychological distress.
• Military culture.
• Increased risk for injury.

Addressing these challenges early with the right support and treatment is key to long-lasting recovery and resilience.

Comprehensive Care for Co-Occurring Disorders

When a person is living with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another mood disorder alongside a substance use disorder, it’s known as a co-occurring disorder. These conditions are deeply connected and must be treated together—addressing both mental health and substance use—to give individuals the strongest foundation for lasting recovery.

If you or a loved one is facing a co-occurring disorder and seeking specialized care near Tampa—especially for Veterans—our team is here to help. Call our admissions navigators today at to take the first step toward healing and reclaiming your life.

A Time to Listen, Learn, and Honor

Military Appreciation Month is more than a tribute—it’s an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the unique challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families. It creates space for meaningful conversations, encourages public awareness, and fosters a greater sense of empathy for those who have served and sacrificed for our nation.

Veterans Deserve Support. We’re Here to Help.

If you’re a veteran struggling with addiction, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to fight this battle by yourself. River Oaks’ inpatient rehab near Tampa offers a dedicated Veterans program designed to address the physical, emotional, and psychological wounds that come with service.

At River Oaks Treatment Center, we provide different levels of addiction treatment, including inpatient rehab and outpatient treatment, medical detox for addiction treatment, as well as personalized aftercare planning to support long-term recovery and reintegration.

Call us at to learn more about our Veterans program and start treatment today to take the first step toward healing. You served your country—now let us serve you.