2020. Prevalence of Hazardous
and Harmful Alcohol Use among Veterans: Findings from a National Survey
S Chen, VA Health Economics Resource Center, TH Wagner, VA
Health Economics Resource Center, JW Finney, VA Center for Health Care
Evaluation
Objectives: Most research
on the use of alcohol by veterans in the community has focused on the diagnostic
categories of abuse and dependence, whereas the prevalence of hazardous or
harmful alcohol use and its correlates has received substantially less
attention. The present study
analyzed data from a national probability survey to determine the prevalence of
hazardous/harmful alcohol use and to identify veterans most at risk for
excessive alcohol consumption
Methods: Between December
1, 2001 and January 21, 2002, we conducted a national, internet-based survey on
a probability sample of adults aged 21 and older, oversampling veterans.
The survey was sent to 12,878 persons and 8,935 (69%) provided informed
consent and subsequently completed the survey.
Alcohol use and problems were measured by using the Alcohol Use Disorders
Identification Test (AUDIT). Hazardous
alcohol use was identified by a
Results: Among
male veterans, 32% and 7% were identified by the AUDIT as hazardous or harmful
drinkers, respectively. These
percentages were less than those for male non-veterans (37% and 11%, p<. 05);
however, significant differences disappeared once age was controlled.
Of the hazardous/harmful drinkers, 86% reported that they had not
received any VA healthcare services in the past two years.
Although 55% of hazardous/harmful drinkers were eligible to
Conclusions: Although
almost a fourth of veterans met criteria for hazardous/harmful alcohol use, over
half of them reported not having received any care in VHA during the past two
years.
Impact: Approximately one-fifth of veterans in the community are engaged in hazardous or harmful alcohol use, and are not receiving care in VHA, where many would be screened and provided brief interventions that have substantial research supporting their effectiveness.