Heavy Drinking & Alcohol Misuse In The Military

Active duty U.S. military members have higher rates of alcohol misuse compared to the civilian population. Factors such as peer pressure and deployment contribute to higher rates of drinking problems in the military.

If heavy drinking affects your well-being, relationships, and mental health, your alcohol use may be defined as alcohol misuse. 

Abusing alcohol in the military is linked to negative consequences during deployment, mistrust among military personnel, and a higher risk of serious health problems.

If you drink heavily or abuse alcohol when you are in the military, you may have an increased risk of alcohol problems as a military veteran. Stigma around mental health in the military can make reaching out difficult, but a substance abuse treatment center can help.

Risk Factors For Alcohol Misuse In The Military

Drinking alcohol is a significant part of military culture. Active duty service members may drink alcohol to socialize with other military personnel or to cope with traumatic events that happen while serving. Heavy alcohol use can be seen as acceptable or even encouraged in the military.

Rates of heavy drinking (8 to 15 drinks per week) are lower in military populations compared to the general population. However, rates of binge drinking (4 to 5 alcoholic drinks in one sitting) are higher in active duty military personnel compared to civilians.

Risk factors for excessive alcohol consumption in the military may include:

• peer pressure to drink from other service members
• experiencing traumatic events from a deployment
• being a man
• being a young adult

Health Risks Of Excessive Alcohol Consumption In The Military

Serving in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and other branches of the armed forces require focus and discipline. Excessive drinking can hurt your ability to function, which can hurt your performance.

Some studies show that excessive drinking in the armed forces is linked to worsening relationships with military personnel, which can also affect your performance. Excessive drinking can also cause other health risks in the long term.

Mental Health Conditions

Serving in the military can increase your risk of mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depression. Life-threatening situations and other severe stressors can lead to these conditions in the military.

Binge drinking or heavy drinking to cope with these mental health problems can make your condition worse, not better. 

Alcohol misuse can also cause physical health problems, such as liver problems and certain types of cancers. Physical health issues can also worsen your mental health.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol misuse comes with an increased risk of alcohol addiction, also known as an alcohol use disorder or AUD. AUD is a mental health condition where you cannot stop drinking alcohol.

If you or a loved one have AUD, there may be visible signs. 

Choosing alcohol over responsibilities, irritability, complaining about sleeping problems, and engaging in high-risk behaviors can be signs of AUD. While reaching out for help is difficult, it can be the first step to managing a drinking problem.

If you or someone you know in a military family is struggling with alcohol abuse, contact us today. We can provide specialized alcohol addiction treatment programs for veterans, including your family members and loved ones.