The Impact of Work-Related Factors on Soldiers' Treatment: Providers' Perspectives

Abstract

Military settings present a unique context that can affect the continuity of care for substance abuse and other issues. We examined the impact of military work-related factors (increased work tempo, deployment, and permanent change of station) on treatment disruption for substance abuse and family violence among Army soldiers from the perspective of substance abuse treatment providers and clinical social workers. Among the 264 respondents, nearly 90% of providers reported that work-related factors resulted in disruption or termination of soldiers' treatment. Given the potential implications of treatment disruption on treatment effectiveness, steps for ensuring treatment continuity for soldiers should be considered.

Keywords:

• army
• child maltreatment
• continuity of care
• military
• spouse abuse
• substance abuse
• treatment disruption

Acknowledgments

Financial support for this research was provided by the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Contract No. W81XWH-04-1-0073. The views expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the U.S. Army. The authors wish to thank the members of the study's Advisory Committee who provided guidance and comments concerning this article.