A Comprehensive Review of Substance Abuse Prevalence and Prevention Efforts in the Military: Literature and Research Trends

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are among the most common and costly conditions for service members that are adversely affecting their health and occupational and personal functioning. Substance use, abuse and misuse have significant health, military readiness, social and personal consequences that are a continuing major concern for the Department of Defense (DoD). The pervasive burden of SUDs has been a continuing concern for the DoD, particularly as large numbers of service members return from 11 years of war. Both DoD and independent organizations have conducted extensive reviews of SUDs, substance abuse policies and prevention efforts within the military population. Current surveillance and prevalence research has uncovered substance use trends within the military that are troublesome when compared to similar civilian populations.  In response, the DoD has prioritized the implementation of evidenced-based practices to enhance the recognition and management of SUD in general medical and SUD prevention settings.

The aim of this presentation is to disseminate current substance abuse research and prevention information and to discuss the latest trends in SUD throughout the military as identified by both the DoD and independent research organizations. This presentation will achieve the following objectives: a) describe substance abuse trends within the military Service branches, b) define relevant substance abuse themes, c) highlight current directions in substance abuse prevention strategies and policies in the Services and d) provide and describe strengths and limitations within the military prevention programs. Finally, this presentation will conclude by identifying future directions of SUD research in prescription misuse and prevention efforts.