Surveillance of Substance Abuse and Dependence: U.S. Army Soldiers, January 2016-December 2019
Abstract
The Division of Behavioral and Social Health Outcomes Practice (BSHOP) estimated the prevalence and incidence of substance abuse and dependence among U.S Active Component (AC) Army Soldiers during 20162019. From 2016 to 2019, 38,162 Active Component Soldiers accounted for 672,236 medical encounters for substance abuse or dependence; 85% (n=32,262) had their first encounter for substance abuse and dependence over the 4-year period. From 2016 to 2019, 319,813 Soldiers were prescribed opioids, and 8% of these individuals (n=24,928) had a high-dose prescription. In 2016, 7% (n=43,217) of Soldiers who completed the AUDIT-C screened positive for hazardous drinking. Findings from this report will inform Army leadership about the prevalence of substance abuse and dependence among Soldiers and statistically significant trends over the 4-year period. Moreover, these data provide an opportunity to report the true burden of substance abuse and dependence and provide insights into opioid-prescribing patterns within the Army.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1159860
Entities
People
- Eren Y. Watkins
- Maisha N. Toussaint
- Tim Werwath
- Ushma Kc
Organizations
- United States Army Public Health Command