Which drug is the biggest problem in the military?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 13:52:43 -0400

Which drug do you think more people in the army struggle with than others?

Do you think it changes often? I know my answer has changed over the years.

What program have worked for your Soldiers?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2014 3:05 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 15:05:03 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member. Most studies report alcohol and prescription drug addiction . . . which are also often involved in suicides . . . not illicit drug use. Good programs include AA and many other twelve step programs. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2014 5:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 17:51:28 -0400

Now I've been out for a few years. But when I was in the two major ones were Meth and Marujuana. I was a a drug BPL and we always got more hits on Marijuana with Meth a close second. My opinion Marijuana is not addictive like Meth is. A person has to want to quit and needs rehab, detox. I'm basing my opinion off my years as a Narcotics Investigator.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 4:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 16:13:29 -0400

I'm going to go off of experience and say alcohol. Many Soldiers who have completed a tour in Korea or Germany report high usage of alcohol. More accessible recreational and productive activities and ASAP could help.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Oct 11 at 2014 5:06 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 17:06:07 -0400

The question itself opens an entire Pandora's box of responses. Is it a problem because of addiction? Is it a problem because of misuse? Is it a problem because of illicit use? There are numerous comments that can be legitimately made and give an honest answer.

I'm a little confused when it's put in terms of 'what more people struggle with'. Medication - for the most part- is designed to fill a specific void or correct a specific problem. Alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and a few others are not strictly considered medications yet fit the definition.

If I have to pick one, I guess I would have to error on the side of alcohol because it is very easily accessible to almost everyone, is generally accepted in society, and can spin out of control for no apparent reason.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 7:28 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 19:28:33 -0400

Without looking at other answers, I say that alcohol is the drug more people in the Army struggle with, and that has probably been the case for a long time - decades.

Other drugs come and go, and their use or abuse is usually illegal. Drugs like marijuana, cocaine, pain killers. When I was a young troop (mid to late 70s), marijuana was a problem. Then people used cocaine. And today, after alcohol, I'm guessing that abuse of pain meds is a big problem.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 11 at 2014 8:20 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 20:20:06 -0400

The Kool-Aid at the recruiters office.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 8:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 20:40:28 -0400

Well, what do you mean by drug? Is it pharmaceutical or is it substance? If it's a pharmaceutical then I would agree with most and say prescription meds but if it's substance abuse overall then everyone has it completely wrong.

First of all, the most addictive drug out there is nicotine. Many people struggle with nicotine addiction once they start. With that said, the worst substance that the military struggles with is actually caffeine.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 11 at 2014 10:08 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 22:08:16 -0400

Alcohol and prescription meds. When I was in the WTB, there was more than ne occasion where the MP's were at the barracks securing the scene. Very sad.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 12 at 2014 1:10 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 01:10:33 -0400

Caffeine or Alcohol. Good thing there isn't a Krokidil problem. Google it with pics, that is one nasty ass drug.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 7:41 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 07:41:20 -0400

Abuse of alcohol is probably involved in a much larger number of assaults, injuries, MVAs, SHARP violations, and downward career spiral than any other "drug". It is legal for those 21+ and easily purchased, no Rx required.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 10:39 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 10:39:35 -0400

In my experience, from a testing perspective, most of the cases we had where someone tested "hot" were for prescription drugs that were not prescribed to the SM in question. Mainly pain killers.

Response by SPC Brian Aranda made Oct 12 at 2014 3:36 PM

SPC Brian Aranda — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:36:27 -0400

I'm going with alcohol on this one. If you've ever run road guard at the rear of Monday morning PT you'll know why.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Dec 12 at 2014 5:51 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 17:51:41 -0500

I know on my base and several colleagues bases, it is Pot and Spice.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Jul 5 at 2015 10:49 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 22:49:14 -0400

prescription pain meds

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 3:27 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 03:27:22 -0400

I would think Alcohol and pain medications are the worse. After yesterday's 4th of July celebration, some Joe Smuck decided to blow his head off with a mortar tube on his head while being completely intoxicated with alcohol. His friends and his brother did'nt stop this idiot from doing this. Boy, this is a crazy nation we have now days. JK

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 7:28 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 19:28:56 -0400

Alcohol hands down.

Response by SPC Gene Delgado made Aug 27 at 2016 8:13 AM

SPC Gene Delgado — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 08:13:18 -0400

Motrin