Exploring patterns of alcohol misuse in treatment-seeking UK veterans: A cross-sectional study.

Publisher: Elsevier Science Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 7603486 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1873-6327 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03064603 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Addict Behav Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Oxford : Elsevier Science
Original Publication: Oxford, Elmsford, N. Y., Pergamon Press.

Alcoholism/*epidemiology ; Alcoholism/*psychology ; Veterans/*psychology ; Veterans/*statistics & numerical data; Adult ; Age Factors ; Alcoholism/therapy ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Employment/psychology ; Employment/statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Status/statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; United Kingdom/epidemiology

Aims: To explore patterns of alcohol misuse in a sample of treatment-seeking veterans compared to the UK Armed Forces personnel population and the general public. Furthermore, the present study investigated which variables were associated with alcohol misuse in this sample, and in particular what factors were associated with increased or decreased severity of alcohol misuse.
Method: The present study investigated alcohol misuse in treatment-seeking veterans and compared it with the UK Armed Forces and the general public. In addition, it explored associations between sociodemographic, physical health and mental health variables and alcohol misuse.
Results: Results suggested that treatment-seeking veterans report different patterns of alcohol misuse compared to the UK Armed Forces and the general public. This group was more likely to report alcohol dependence and alcohol-related harm. They also reported higher levels of overall alcohol misuse than the general public. Mental health problems including PTSD, anxiety and depression, as well as anger, functional impairment and being single were all related to greater alcohol misuse. Being older and not in work were related to reduced alcohol misuse.
Conclusions: These findings add further weight to the importance of ensuring appropriate support is provided to personnel leaving the Armed Forces. Treatment-seeking veterans have specific patterns of alcohol-related needs that should be addressed. Knowing more about the common alcohol-related problems in this group can help inform and improve mental health interventions. Findings on related variables will help in identifying those individuals who may be at most risk of alcohol-related problems.
(Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Keywords: Alcohol; Alcohol misuse; Mental health; Military; Veterans

Date Created: 20181221 Date Completed: 20200713 Latest Revision: 20200713

20240628

10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.11.044

30572207