Primary Care Research Institute, Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Subst Use Misuse. 2021;56(4):559-566. doi: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1887257. Epub 2021 Feb 22.
Epidemiological data identify risk factors related to substance use among military service members to inform prevention and treatment. Less is known about how motivations and risks for substance use vary over a military service career. The study goal was to explore substance use patterns and motivations among a sample of United States undergraduate student veterans in order to identify periods of risk. Qualitative interviews were conducted ( = 31) between December 2018 and April 2019. Transcripts were coded in ATLAS.ti using thematic content analysis. Interviews revealed complex motivations around substance use and identified key periods of risk. 1) Pre-service: Participants reported using alcohol and marijuana, primarily during social activities. 2) During service: Participants described a culture of heavy alcohol and tobacco use in social contexts, but little use of other substances. Post-deployment was a notable exception, when some reported heavier alcohol use and use of other drugs, including opiates, cocaine, and ecstasy. 3) Post-service: Transitioning out of the military was described as difficult; some participants reported heavier use of substances during this period. Some participants quit smoking after military service, or switched to vaping. Others reported use of alcohol and/or marijuana to calm themselves, relieve stress, and enable sleep. These data indicate that the periods immediately following deployment and transition out of the military may be especially high-risk for heavy substance use and use of a broader range of substances. This highlights the need for tailored interventions and messaging at different points of military service, particularly during periods of greatest risk.
流行病学数据确定了与军人物质使用相关的风险因素，以提供预防和治疗的信息。然而，关于军人职业期间物质使用的动机和风险如何变化，人们了解得较少。本研究的目的是探讨美国大学生退伍军人样本中的物质使用模式和动机，以确定风险期。2018 年 12 月至 2019 年 4 月期间进行了定性访谈（ = 31）。使用主题内容分析法对 ATLAS.ti 中的转录本进行编码。访谈揭示了物质使用的复杂动机，并确定了关键的风险期。1）入伍前：参与者报告说在社交活动中主要使用酒精和大麻。2）服役期间：参与者描述了在社交环境中大量饮酒和吸烟的文化，但很少使用其他物质。部署后是一个明显的例外，一些人报告说在这段时间内饮酒量增加，并且使用了其他药物，包括阿片类药物、可卡因和摇头丸。3）退伍后：退伍后被描述为困难时期；一些参与者报告说在这段时间内物质使用量增加。一些参与者在服兵役后戒烟，或改用电子烟。其他人则报告说使用酒精和/或大麻来使自己平静下来、缓解压力和促进睡眠。这些数据表明，部署后和退伍后的时期可能是重度物质使用和使用更广泛物质的高风险期。这凸显了在不同的军事服务阶段，特别是在风险最大的时期，需要有针对性的干预措施和信息传递。
