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Patterns of drinking in the UK Armed Forces
Author(s) -
Fear Nicola T.,
Iversen Amy,
Meltzer Howard,
Workman Lorna,
Hull Lisa,
Greenberg Neil,
Barker Christopher,
Browne Tess,
Earnshaw Mark,
Horn Oded,
Jones Margaret,
Murphy Dominic,
Rona Roberto J.,
Hotopf Matthew,
Wessely Simon
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01978.x
Subject(s) - alcohol use disorders identification test , binge drinking , population , military service , medicine , demography , environmental health , audit , military personnel , cross sectional study , poison control , occupational safety and health , injury prevention , geography , sociology , economics , archaeology , management , pathology
Aims To examine patterns of drinking in the UK Armed Forces, how they vary according to gender and other demographics, and to make comparisons with the general population. Design Large cross‐sectional postal questionnaire study (response rate 60%). Setting United Kingdom. Participants A random representative sample of the regular UK Armed Forces who were in service in March 2003 ( n = 8686; 7937 men, 749 women). Comparisons were made with the general population of Great Britain. Measurements Alcohol consumption was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Findings Sixty‐seven per cent of men and 49% of women in the UK Armed Forces had an AUDIT score of 8+ (defined as hazardous drinking), compared to 38% of men and 16% of women in the general population. In both sexes, for all ages, the military have a higher prevalence of hazardous drinking. Binge drinking was associated with being younger, being in the Army, being single, being a smoker and being white. Among military men, heavy drinking (AUDIT score 16+) was associated with holding a lower rank, being younger, being single, being in the Naval Service or Army, being deployed to Iraq, not having children, being a smoker, having a combat role and having a parent with a drink or drug problem. Conclusions Excessive alcohol consumption is more common in the UK Armed Forces than in the general population. There are certain socio‐demographic characteristics associated with heavy drinking within the military; for example, young age, being single and being a smoker, which may allow the targeting of preventive interventions.