Posted on Mar 16, 2022
Service Members Not Getting Adequate Help for Alcohol Abuse, Watchdog Finds
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Service members who were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder didn't receive proper treatment to address their issues and some received no care at all, according to a new report from the Department of Defense's Inspector General that reviewed surveys from 2018-2020.
The findings, released Monday, come as the military tries to grapple with alcohol and substance abuse within the ranks as it puts service members at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety, depression and, at worst, suicidal thoughts. "Service members experienced delays in receiving alcohol use diagnoses required to determine the appropriate care, potentially affecting physical, social, psychological, familial, and employment health," the report stated.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has identified drinking and substance abuse among young service members as a "significant problem in the military."
The findings, released Monday, come as the military tries to grapple with alcohol and substance abuse within the ranks as it puts service members at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety, depression and, at worst, suicidal thoughts. "Service members experienced delays in receiving alcohol use diagnoses required to determine the appropriate care, potentially affecting physical, social, psychological, familial, and employment health," the report stated.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has identified drinking and substance abuse among young service members as a "significant problem in the military."
Service Members Not Getting Adequate Help for Alcohol Abuse, Watchdog Finds
Posted from military.com
Alcohol
Drugs
Mental Health
Edited 2 y ago
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 8
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Lt Col Charlie Brown Actually this doesn't surprise me. I wish my brother had got treatment (he was in denial) when he was in Vietnam and after he came back. He was an alcoholic and tried (unsuccessfully) to commit suicide. He lived another thirteen years basically as a vegetable.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
First, I am sorry for what happened to your brother and angry that it continues this way. I heard about this from some Iraq/Afghanistan war vets and I believe it is a disgrace that we are still in this position
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MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.
Lt Col Charlie Brown I share your feelings and also offer my condolences, Br'er Vic.
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SrA Ronald Moore
I never Would commit suicide, but Long passages if time is riddled with Why did they not help me, but instead I turned to God and been there since
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Having lived through the deglamorization of alcohol push in the 70s this isn't too surprising. Ya, they've pretty much stopped the mandatory commanders calls at clubs but alcohol still plays a big part of social life in the military. Unfortunately like mental health issues, seeking alcohol related treatments is still viewed as a career ending move.
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