Co-occurrence of alcohol, smokeless tobacco, cigarette, and illicit drug use by lower ranking military personnel (original) (raw)

Substance use and misuse in the Croatian Army Special Forces: prevalence and influencing factors

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2014

In addition to being a serious health-hazard, substance-use-and-misuse (SUM) in military forces negatively influences physical fitness and army readiness. The aim of this study was to define the prevalence of SUM, which includes cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and multiple SUM (i.e. practice of daily smoking and harmful alcohol drinking), and factors influencing SUM in the Croatian Special Army Forces (SAF). Materials and Methods: We studied 73 SAF members. A self-administered validated questionnaire was used to gather socio-demographic and military-professionrelated data, and SUM factors. The associations between studied variables were established by the Chi 2 test, and forward conditional logistic regression (FCLR). Results: With less than 40% of daily smokers, smoking was within expected values. Almost 80% of the examinees reported no binge drinking, while 54% reported harmful drinking according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scale. Paternity and education level were negatively associated with daily smoking, while higher incidence of daily smoking was found for privates and those who practiced harmful drinking (all at p < 0.05). The FCLR demonstrated a higher risk of harmful alcohol consumption for younger commissioned officers (OR for military rank = 5.54, 95% CI: 2.19-13.99; OR for age = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76-0.95). Conclusion: Although SUM incidence was not alarming compared to the overall population and the previously reported military data, additional efforts are necessary in order to decrease cigarette consumption. The study showed that protective/risk structure of the substance misuse in the military should be investigated specifically with regard to particular military services, corps, and socio-cultural environment.

Adverse Effects of Tobacco Use in Deployed Military Units

KVÜÕA toimetised, 2010

Although research reveals that smoking prevalence has in general stabilized or is even decreasing among military personnel, this trend does not ultimately apply. Being young, being deployed, or being a member of Army personnel, for instance, is proven to increase the risk of being or beginning to be a tobacco user. There are not immediate observable links between tobacco habits and the serious health-related consequences found during the service period because of the long time lag between tobacco use and its consequences. Also the impact of smoking on military performance can be defined rather more indirectly than directly. However, findings in the Estonian military sample (n=135) indicate that an increase in smoking behaviour while on deployment not only corresponds with poorer psychological wellbeing and general health, but also with being forced to stay away from duty because of physical aches. These results can be taken as indicators that smoking behaviour decreases fitness for military operations and should be targeted by performance enhancement activities. The role of the military culture of smoking behaviour and the arguments for an effective strategy for tobacco use cessation among military personnel are discussed.

Tobacco Use in the Army: Illuminating Patterns, Practices, and Options for Treatment

Military Medicine, 2009

Tobacco use by soldiers has been prevalent throughout the 20th century. Tobacco has been seen as a "right."' Additionally, tobacco was viewed as a boost to a soldier's morale and to provide comfort, while reducing stress in austere conditions. Today, tobacco is known to increase healthcare costs, adversely affect readiness,^ and impact the military members' physical performance.^ The purpose of this ethnographic study was to describe patterns, practices, and experiences of active duty Army soldiers who use tobacco, have quit using tobacco, and have relapsed after a period of tobacco abstinence. Five themes were uncovered; 1.) Experiences associated with use of tobacco, 2.) Tobacco use in the Army, 3.) Experiences of starting and restarting tobacco, 4.) Balancing health risks with tobacco use, and 5.) Tobacco use regulations and policies. Findings are consistent with the conclusion that the Army culture supports soldiers' tobacco use.

The association between drinking and smoking habits among conscripts in the Danish Navy and Army

… Journal of Primary …, 1986

Lauritzen JB, Besjakoa JW, Bardrum B. The association bchscen drinking and smoking habits among conscripts in the Danish navy and army. Scand J Rim Health Care 1%; 4: leu. In 1982 an alcohol and tobacco queslionnaire was given to Danish conscripts on random weekdays in the first t m weeks of call-up. The conscripts were asked about the previous day's consumption of alcohol and tobacco. In the navy 94.4 % (N=162) and in the army 92.0 % (N=514) answered the questions. Both smoking and drioLing in the navy were found to be more p d n t than in the army, whereas the habits among conscripts in the army and in the civilian population were identical. In the army length of education was found to be inwsely related to drinking and smoking, whereas in the navy education did not seem to influence smoking or drinking habits. In the army hcreahg amounts of drioking were sssoei.ted with higher prevalences of light to heavy sndring and vice versa. In the navy only heavy drinking was strongly associated with a pronounced rate of heavy smoking. The difference seen between the navy and the army in tobacco and alcohol habits could not be explpinea by differences in age or kvel of education. Some other sodologicnl, psychobghl and life style factors may be involved. We find it relevant to pinpoint high risk populations rrgnrding excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption, so that rational prophyla& or intervention might be effectuated. Health education programmes ought to contiah information about the illnesses of both excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption, as these habits are closely related.

2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Substance Use Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members

2018

Department of Defense (DoD)'s flagship survey for understanding the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of service members. Fielded periodically for more than 30 years, the HRBS includes content areas-such as substance use, mental and physical health, sexual behavior, and postdeployment problems-that may affect force readiness or the ability to meet the demands of military life. The Defense Health Agency asked the RAND Corporation to revise and field the 2015 HRBS. In this brief, we review results for substance use, particularly use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit and prescription drugs. We note possible limitations to the data and implications of the findings. Where possible, we compare our findings to prior HRBS findings and U.S. general population data, including progress toward Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) objectives established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Because the military differs notably from the general population (e.g., service members are more likely to be young and male), these comparisons are offered only as a benchmark of interest.

Alcohol use in a military population deployed in combat areas: a cross sectional study

Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 2012

Background: Alcohol misuse is more prevalent among military populations. Association between PTSD and heavy drinking have been reported in many studies. Most of the studies on alcohol use among military personnel are from US and UK. Aim of this study is to describe alcohol consumption patterns among military personnel in Sri Lanka, a country where the alcohol consumption among the general population are very different to that in US and UK.

Deployment and Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Active Duty Service Members in the U.S. Military

Military medicine, 2018

The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among U.S. active duty service members has been much higher than in the U.S. general population. The association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use has not been well studied. We investigated the association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use among U.S. active duty service members. We also evaluated the modification effects from other factors related to smokeless tobacco use on the deployment-smokeless tobacco use association. Eligible active duty service members stationed at two military installations (Fort Bragg, NC, USA and Lackland Air Force Base, TX, USA) were recruited from July 2015 to May 2016. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use and estimated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Stratified analysis was performed to evaluate modification effects from other commonly k...

Predictors of Change in Substance Abuse Status in Soldiers

Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 2015

Background: Military service is a stressful task that influences the life style of army personnel. Several factors can make soldiers less capable of coping with stressful events; so they may try to start drug abuse or increase in the amount or diversity of substance abuse. Understanding factors responsible for this misbehavior among soldiers is crucial for their commanders to modify these factors. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the predictors of change in substance abuse status in soldiers. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted to evaluate the substance abuse status among Iranian soldiers in 2010. The target population was the soldiers who had spent at least 3 months of their military service. Cluster sampling was done from army service garrisons in 12 provinces in Iran. A total of 3960 soldiers were selected with different levels of education and age. Data gathering was done with demographic questionnaires, Texas Christian university (TCU) drug screen II and ASI questionnaire (fifth edition). Four types of dependent variables were defined: "improvement", "without change", "deterioration", and "severe deterioration". Backward ordinal regression analysis was done and P values, OR, and SE were calculated by SPSS19 software. Results: Totally, 6.7% of soldiers improved, 82% remained without change, 6.1% deteriorated, and 5.2% severely deteriorated with regard to their substance abuse. Modifiable predictors were distance from home lower than 200 km (OR =1.54), bad relationship with commanders (OR = 1.88), service place dissatisfaction (OR = 1.39), and always feeling lonely (OR = 1.83). Non-modifiable factors were alcohol use within family and friends (P = 0.000); psychiatric drug use history (OR = 1.72); suicidal attempt history (OR = 1.31); divorce, separation, and extramarital contact (P = 0.001); unemployment (P = 0.019); leisure time dissatisfaction (P = 0.004); living alone (OR = 2.43); and substance abuse onset before age 15 (OR = 1.71). Conclusions: Considering non-modifiable risk factors, leaders and commanders may recognize more vulnerable soldiers and try to resolve modifiable factors and decrease the risk of getting worse (with respect to substance abuse) about 7.3 times.