Stars, Stripes and Substance Abuse - Drug Use in the Military

Stars, Stripes and Substance Abuse The stress of military life drives many soldiers to drink and do drugs. But stress doesn't end when the enlistment contract does-and neither does substance abuse. Soldiers may use alcohol or drugs to cope with readjustment to civilian life. Which Substances? Primary substance of abuse in admissions of veterans and nonveterans ages 21-39 (2010): Alcohol: 51% Heroin: 9% Marijuana: 12.2% Cocaine/crack: 6.3% Other opiates: 12.2% Meth: 6.2% Drinking for Relief The most commonly abused substance among soldiers is alcohol. 1 in 4 soldiers who served overseas in 2011 admitted they had a drinking problem. Almost 60% of Marines binge drink. In 2012, about admitted to binge drinking within the past month. 43% of active-duty soldiers 50% higher among soldiers Binge drinking is ages 18-35 than among civilians. Prescription Drug Abuse Troop prescriptions for pain meds, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, barbiturates and stimulants. Less than 1 million (2001) 5 million (2011) Prescription drug addiction Civilians: 4.4% Military: 11.7% Why Soldiers Use Physical injury Psychological trauma Combat Multiple deployments Getting Help 58,000 veterans admitted to non-VA facilities* for substance abuse in 2010 17,641 of them were ages 21-39 *Numbers are not available for VA admissions, but a study showed about 167,000 vets sought VA treatment for alcohol or substance abuse in 2001. Sources: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/spotlight/Spot106VcteransAlcoholAbusc2012.pdf http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/drug-info/featured-articles/200-military-and-behavioral-health-problems-substance-abuse-and-problem-gambling www.steppingstonecenter.org STEPPING STONE CENTER FOR RECOVERY