Institute of Medicine calls drinking, drug abuse in U.S. military a "public health crisis"

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(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - A new study says substance abuse among troops has become a "public health crisis" and Pentagon methods for dealing with it are outdated.

The study by the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, says about 20 percent of active duty service members reported they drank heavily in 2008, the last year for which data is available. And, binge-drinking rose to 47 percent in 2008 from 35 percent in 1998.

Drug abuse is also a growing problem, the report finds. Just 2 percent of personnel on active duty reported misusing prescription drugs in 2002, while the new report found 11 percent of personnel engaged in such abuse.

The study says new methods are needed to help troops. Those include better trained counselors and more outpatient care as opposed to relying so heavily on hospitalizations and residential programs.

"Better care for service members and their families is hampered by inadequate prevention strategies, staffing shortages, lack of coverage for services that are proved to work, and stigma associated with these disorders," Dr. Charles P. O'Brien, director of the Center for studies of Addiction at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, and chair of the committee that wrote the report, said in a press release. "This report recommends solutions to address each of these concerns."

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Such recommendations include limiting the number of outlets that sell alcohol at military bases, restricting their hours of operation and asking military leaders to encourage members to seek help.

The Institute of Medicine has more information on the study.

[brentotter]

I would like to comment on the soldier, Michael Long, that received a BCD after abusing opiates (after becoming addicted to them by possible lack of good monitoring). Though this former soldier is currently not eligible for VA benefits, with the help of hs elected representatives, I believe this former soldier has a good claim to ask that his discharge be upgraded to a general under less than honorable, which would give him the benefits his service earned. It is not uncommon to appeal a discharge and have it upgraded. I do not condone his illegal drug use, but I do understand self-medicating for pain.

[Every0ne]

Freeamerica31, you are correct. Troops and drugs is not really a problem. How many other segments of society do you know of who might be able to perform as well even when they are asked to risk their lives daily?

What this article presages is another attempt by the psycho-social-medico industrial complex to maintain or increase payments received for diagnosing a problem, working to resolve it and fail, and then diagnosing the problem, working to . . . .

You get the picture, I'm sure. Would that our congress people were half so smart.

[audemus]

I was in the Army in the 1970s, and there was a lot of drinking and "stuff" going on back then as well.

[john92021]

hooked on pain meds wouldn't have anything to do with the meds these doctors prescribe for injuries? Give these guys a break.

[takacrat]

Obama, need another one?

[freeamerica31]

Bunch of Yahoo's with PHD's telling the military there's a problem. BS.

Do folks in the military drink...YES. Do we do it a manner in which everyone is safe...YES. Is the drinking age in the military the same as out in the public...YES. Does the military have as many people in the same age group as the Universities who also binge drink....YES.

Bottom line folks is we have young folks who when not trying to fight for their lives like to live a little and as long as the rules are not broken we look after them and for the most part stay out of their business. The atmosphere in the military is no different for our youth as it is for those youth attending Universities.

This is another social experiment to try and make people live as perfect citizens and it just won't work. Military personnel should not have to explain themselves for their lifestyles any more than civilians do unless they break laws or military rules.

Doc take a flying leap off a very high bridge.