Binge drinking, alcohol abuse remains significant challenge for vets

[rangerrebew]

Binge drinking, alcohol abuse remains significant challenge for vets
By Leo Shane III
 Thursday, Oct 26
 
New research shows high rates of alcohol abuse among veterans of every age group. (Sgt. Rebekka Heite/Marine Corps)
Veterans of every age group are more likely to binge drink or abuse alcohol than Americans who never served, but are also slightly more open to seeking help for those problems than their civilian peers, according to new research released this week by the RAND corporation.

The findings from the RAND Epstein Family Veterans Policy Research Institute follow past studies of high rates of alcohol abuse in the military, indicating those problems do not end when troops leave the ranks.

Researchers did not find similar problems with other potential substance abuse issues. According to federal data, the rate of illicit drug use, opioid misuse, marijuana abuse or any drug use disorder was roughly the same for veterans and non-veterans in recent years.

But alcohol abuse remains a particular problem point for the veterans community. Researchers found nearly 23% of veterans surveyed in federal studies reported binge drinking — four or more drinks in a day for women and five or more drinks in a day for men — in the last month, and about 5% reported having an alcohol use disorder.

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2023/10/26/binge-drinking-alcohol-abuse-remains-significant-challenge-for-vets/

[sneakypete]

And there are no non-veteran pro-drunks?

WTH does this guy live?

He  obviously doesn't know  any of MY relatives!

[GtHawk]

While I think it's a sorry state that our Vets are driven to alcoholism, it appears quite obvious to me that as a society we have made binge drinking a accepted, nay necessary and important part of 'having a good time' among our young. In the 50's and 60's it was the cocktail hour(hours) when it was accepted and acceptable to drink each and every day often to the point of inebriation. Today all you see is ads where apparently young and older people can't get together and have a good time without an alcoholic beverage or six. And then there is higher education where socialism isn't the only idiocy taught our young.

Anyway, now that my thread hijack and rant is over...I see this issue as just one more are we fail our vets, we have unlimited funds for illegals and those who hate America but never what is required to take care of our soldiers who have given so much for America.

[Smokin Joe]

And there are no non-veteran pro-drunks?

WTH does this guy live?

He  obviously doesn't know  any of MY relatives!

It's a pretty low bar, really. While I am not a veteran, many of my friends are. When I drank, 5 was an afternoon warmup for Happy Hour, and the night was yet young.