Alcohol treatment programs used by more veterans than civilians

Veterans More Likely to Access Alcohol Treatment Programs Than Non-Veterans
Research presented at the 2012 APHA meeting indicates that help is available to both groups, but civilians less likely to seek it out.
By The Healthline Editorial Team
Published Oct 28, 2012
by Jenara Nerenberg
The Gist

Veterans who are heavy alcohol users are more likely to access a wide range of alcohol treatment programs as compared to their civilian counterparts, according to research presented today at the American Public Health Association’s annual meeting.

While veterans are using formal and informal programs such as self-help groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, and employee assistance programs, "less than 10 percent of the younger, persistently-heavy [civilian] drinkers were accessing the services that the veterans used," lead researcher Katherine Karriker-Jaffe, PhD told Healthline.

The findings suggest that the social support found among formal, organized groups such as veterans groups, may encourage heavy alcohol drinkers to seek out help as compared to those who are more isolated.
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BBC looks at combat stress and alcohol abuse

Combat stress
Alcohol misuse is more common than post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among UK troops. A study in the Lancet suggests that the number of British troops suffering from PTSD has remained relatively low, despite the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But the study found those who had returned from front-line duties were at much greater risk of alcohol abuse. The Ministry of Defence, which funded the independent research, says it takes issues of problem drinking very seriously and that counselling and welfare support is available.

Former members of the armed forces and their families have been telling the BBC News website about their experience of alcohol misuse.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8679831.stm

Army cracks down as drug, alcohol cases rise

Army cracks down as drug, alcohol cases rise
By Gina Cavallaro - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jun 8, 2009 5:32:09 EDT

Drug and alcohol abuse in the ranks is on the rise, and Army officials say commanders are largely to blame for failing to take control of the situation.

Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli issued commanders across the service a message directing them to do a better job of getting offenders into treatment or separated from the Army.

Chiarelli is leading an Army-wide crackdown on violations and placed renewed emphasis on reporting requirements. That could mean increased inspections of barracks rooms and more visits by leaders to soldiers’ off-post homes to make cursory evaluations of their living conditions.



Soldiers can expect stricter disciplinary action for positive urine analysis results and a possible wave of separations for soldiers who have a pattern of substance abuse after receiving help, Army leaders said. The requirement to randomly test 16 percent of a company’s soldiers each month and as directed by commanders will remain unchanged.

Col. Tom James, 3rd ID chief of staff, cited the case of a master sergeant who had an incident involving alcohol. A look into his record revealed he had no previous offenses, but had deployed three times and gone through nine roadside bomb incidents. They said they got him the help he needed.

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This is not a bad thing. It's good they are paying attention and getting them into help.