Epidemiology and Prevention of Substance Use Disorders in the Military

U.S. military service members have been in active combat for more than 10 years. Research reveals that combat exposure increases the risk of substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and tobacco use. The Services and the field of addiction medicine are working hard to find a common definition for prescription drug misuse, which is a growing concern in both the general U.S. population and the force. Meanwhile, leaders at all levels of Department of Defense are diligently working to address barriers to care, particularly stigma related to substance abuse care, by seeking a balance between improving service member privacy in order to encourage self-referral for medical care and a commander's need to know the status of the unit and its combat readiness. The treatment and management of substance abuse disorders are a complex force health issue that requires the use of evidence-based medical interventions and policies that are consistent with them.