Screening for alcohol use disorder, in mentally healthy military personnel

Abstract

Introduction

AUD, with a prevalence of 7.5% in Europe, is a common disorder among general population. Reports show higher incidence in military personnel.

Purpose

To detect possible AUD in mentally healthy military personnel, and estimate the need for a more regular screening.

Methods

Using the AUDIT questionnaire, we assessed personnel (n = 248) visiting our outpatient department, from January to June 2016, diagnosed as having “no major psychopathology”, by gender, age, marital status, rank and education. The results were processed using the SPSS Mann–Whitney-U and Kruskal Wallis tests.

Results

We tested n = 215 men and n = 33 women, most aged over 35, married, n = 97 officers and n = 151 NCOs (non-commissioned officers), of medium or higher education; 59.7%, scored very low (0–2), n = 11 had a borderline score of 6–7, 6 scored > 8, with one scoring 16, all men and NCOs. Women had very low scores (72.7% P = 0.009). Older personnel concentrated on lower scores, while the younger (18–24) have higher odds of AUD (12.6% scored 6+). Married personnel scored lower (P < 0.001). No significant correlation between AUDIT scores and education (P = 0.705), however, lower education personnel seem to concentrate on very low scores (82.6%).

Conclusions

Female gender, age, marriage, and rank may have a positive effect on alcohol use. Lower educated personnel possibly drink less due to their more physical duties. The fact that 17 diagnosed as mentally healthy personnel had a score implying borderline to problematic alcohol use, could underline the need for a more regular screening for alcohol use disorder in the armed forces.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.