Survey of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Use in the French Army

ABSTRACT

The aim of the current study is to describe the consumption rate of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis in the French Army. A cross-sectional two strata randomized survey was performed between October 2006 and March 2007 using self-report questionnaires (n = 990) to collect individual characteristics, consumption, and addictive behaviors with urinal tests for cannabis (n = 985). The surveyed sample comprised 59% privates, 26% non-commissioned officers, and 6% officers, was predominantly male (89%) and young (median age: 29 years), and had a low level of education (60% attended secondary school). The consumption rate was high: 54.1% were active tobacco smokers, 56.0% were heavy drinkers, 20.5% declared drunkenness more than once per month, 52.6% at least experienced cannabis while 12.3% were occasional users, 8.2% were regular users, and 15.0% displayed multi-risk behaviors. Consumption was higher in the younger age (18 to 25 years) and lower educational group, leading to a high prevalence among privates and suggesting an “army effect.” However, large scale behavioral social studies may help distinguish between personal and peer effect among the targeted population.

KEYWORDS:

• Military personnel
• addictive behavior
• cannabis
• alcohol consumption
• tobacco
• epidemiology

The authors thank their colleagues who collaborated in the data collection, the Army and the Surgeon General's Office for their support, and all regiments and personnel for accepting to participate in the survey.

Notes

^a P = 0.01.

^b Married or in couple but living alone for service during the week.

^c P < 10^{− 3}.

^a More than 4 drinks a day or recurrent drunkenness (≥ 1 per month).

^b Experience: at least once in the lifetime; occasional: at least once in the past one month and < 10; regular: ≥ 10 times/month in the past one month; occasional and regular are exclusive.

^c Current tobacco smoker + Cannabis use during the previous month + heavy drinking.

^a More than 4 drinks/day or recurrent drunkenness (≥ 1 per month).

^b Experience: at least once in lifetime; occasional: at least once in the past 1 month and < 10; regular: ≥ 10 times/month in the past one month; occasional and regular are exclusive.

^c Current tobacco smoker + Cannabis use during the previous month + heavy drinking.