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ABSTRACT
Background: Binge drinking is a significant public health concern linked to a number of health and psychosocial problems. Military service in Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF) has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased hazardous drinking. Brief alcohol interventions may reduce hazardous drinking but are infrequently provided to at-risk drinkers. Objectives: This study examined the association of combat exposure, PTSD symptoms, binge drinking, use of VA and non-VA healthcare services, and the incidence of provider drinking advice. Methods: OEF/OIF veterans (n = 1087) completed measures of demographics, military history, combat exposure, PTSD symptoms, and binge drinking as part of a confidential mail survey study conducted in 2009 and 2010 (response rate = 29%). Patient report of receiving advice in the past year from a provider about their drinking was queried for frequent binge drinkers. The association of demographic variables, combat exposure, PTSD, and use of healthcare services with binge drinking and receipt of provider drinking advice was estimated using logistic regression. Results: Overall, 51% of the sample reported at least one episode of binge drinking in the past year and 19% were identified as frequent binge drinkers. PTSD was related to frequent binge drinking. At-risk veterans using VA healthcare services were significantly more likely to receive provider drinking advice (50%) than veterans not using VA (13.4%). Conclusions: There is a need for increased vigilance and action to identify and counsel at-risk veterans about alcohol misuse in this population.
Funding
This work was supported by the VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center. This work was also supported by a Career Development Award-2 to Dr. Kimbrel (IK2 CX000525) and Dr. Dedert (1IK2CX000718) and a Research Career Scientist Award to Dr. Beckham from the Clinical Science Research and Development Service of the VA Office of Research and Development. Dr. Schry's contributions were also supported by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment and the Durham VA Medical Center. Work on this article was also supported by a Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development Career Development Award-2 to Dr. McDonald (1IK2RX000703-01).
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper. The Department of Veterans Affairs had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The Department of Veterans Affairs had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the VA or the United States government or any of the institutions with which the authors are affiliated.