By the Numbers - Apr. 25, 2016
40% +
The percentage of U.S. military veterans with "a lifetime history of alcohol use disorder (AUD)," according to a forthcoming article in the journal Addiction -- The burden of alcohol use disorders in U.S. Military veterans: results from the national health and resilience in veterans study.
The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) on 3,157 U.S. veterans aged 21 years and older, assessing lifetime alcohol abuse/dependence according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria.
The prevalence of lifetime AUD and past-year probable AUD was 42.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 40.5%-43.9%), and 14.8% (95%CI = 13.6%-16.0%), respectively. Compared with veterans without AUD, those with lifetime AUD had substantially elevated rates of lifetime and current mood and anxiety disorders (odds ratios [ORs] = 2.6-4.1), drug use disorder (OR = 10.7), lifetime suicide attempt (OR = 4.1) and current suicidal ideation (OR = 2.1). Younger age, male sex, lower education, lower annual household income, and greater number of lifetime traumatic events were independently associated with lifetime AUD. Younger age, male sex, unpartnered marital status, and a lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder were independently associated with past-year probable AUD.
According to the researchers, a lifetime history of AUD carries a "substantial comorbid psychiatric burden, including elevated rates of suicidal ideation and attempts."
40% +
The percentage of U.S. military veterans with "a lifetime history of alcohol use disorder (AUD)," according to a forthcoming article in the journal Addiction -- The burden of alcohol use disorders in U.S. Military veterans: results from the national health and resilience in veterans study.
The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) on 3,157 U.S. veterans aged 21 years and older, assessing lifetime alcohol abuse/dependence according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria.
The prevalence of lifetime AUD and past-year probable AUD was 42.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 40.5%-43.9%), and 14.8% (95%CI = 13.6%-16.0%), respectively. Compared with veterans without AUD, those with lifetime AUD had substantially elevated rates of lifetime and current mood and anxiety disorders (odds ratios [ORs] = 2.6-4.1), drug use disorder (OR = 10.7), lifetime suicide attempt (OR = 4.1) and current suicidal ideation (OR = 2.1). Younger age, male sex, lower education, lower annual household income, and greater number of lifetime traumatic events were independently associated with lifetime AUD. Younger age, male sex, unpartnered marital status, and a lifetime diagnosis of major depressive disorder were independently associated with past-year probable AUD.
According to the researchers, a lifetime history of AUD carries a "substantial comorbid psychiatric burden, including elevated rates of suicidal ideation and attempts."