The main reason why veterans come to the Maison La Vigile is that they are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Fifty per cent of those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder develop dependency problems. A lot of members of the military and veterans with that diagnosis have problems of dependency on alcohol or drugs.
Abusive consumption of alcohol and drugs leads to family problems, and the entire family suffers the consequences. The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can also become aggravated. Very often, they are hypervigilant, they have nightmares, they are easily startled, they experience avoidance. They withdraw; that leads to all kinds of consequences for the family and the distress increases. That is what we see with veterans.