Prevalence of Polydrug Use among Alcoholic Soldiers

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine the extent of polydrug abuse among a population of alcoholics hospitalized in a military treatment program. It was discovered that approximately 21% of patients had no drug exposure other than alcohol, and 48% revealed a history of drug use more extensive then experimentation. Results further indicate that polydrug use was greatest among this population during the Vietnam era (1963 to 1972) and again during the year preceding their referral for treatment. Finally, a significant difference in age was found when comparing non-users to users, and when comparing experimental/nonusers to all other users. This age difference places the low and nonuse groups as achieving their eighteenth birthday significantly before the mid-sixties and users afterwards, supporting the notion of a “drug accepting” versus “drug rejecting” generational difference.