Researchers have found that alcohol and substance use problems exist during pre- and post-deployment.  Pre-deployment data indicate that an estimated 9% of service personnel engage in heavy weekly drinking, 53.6% engage in binge drinking, and 15.2% report at least one alcohol-related problem.  New onset rates for active duty personnel was 6%, 26.6%, and 4.8% respectively.  Those who were deployed and exposed to combat were significantly more likely to experience new-onset heavy drinking, binge drinking, and alcohol-related problems (Jacobson et al., 2008).  In one study, investigators stated that 40% screened positive for potentially hazardous alcohol use  and 22% screened positive for possible problems on a three-item alcohol consumption measure (i.e., AUDIT-C) (Calhoun et al., 2008).  Another study indicated that of 350,000 OEF-OIF veterans, 16% received a provisional diagnosis of non-dependent alcohol or other substance abuse, 4% of alcohol dependence, and 2% of other substance dependence (Eggleston et al., 2009).  When substance abuse or dependence is combined with post-traumatic stress disorder (prevalence rates of 13-22%), clinical problems such as psychosocial impairment, aggression, and suicide arise.

Calhoun PS, Elter JR, Kudler H, Straits-Kudler.  Hazardous alcohol use and receipt of risk-reduction counseling among U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.  2008:69(11);1686-93.

Eggleston AM, Straits-Troster K, Kudler H.  Substance use treatment needs among recent veterans.  NC Medical Journal.  2009:70(1):54-8.

Jacobsen IG, Ryan MAK, Hooper TI, Smith TC, Amoroso PJ, Boyko EJ, Gackstetter GD, Wells TS, Bell NS.  Alcohol use and alcohol-related problems before and after military combat deployment.  JAMA.  2008:300(6);663-75.