Differences in Substance Abuse and Dependence between Veterans and Nonveterans in a National Sample Open Access
Allen, Elizabeth McLean (2011)
Abstract
Elizabeth McLean Allen
Differences in Substance Abuse and Dependence between
Veterans and Nonveterans in a National Sample
It has been assumed that veterans have higher rates of substance
abuse and dependence
compared to nonveterans, but there are few comprehensive studies
comparing rates between these
two groups. Existing literature suggests veterans have higher rates
of substance abuse and
dependence because they are disproportionately composed of the
demographic groups most likely
to abuse or be dependent upon illicit drugs or alcohol. However,
these studies suffer from
limitations due to sample size or composition, obsolete or
inconsistent definitions of outcome
measures, or few controls for confounders. Using a large,
nationally representative dataset, this
study improves upon prior research by comparing the likelihood of
engaging in heavy drinking
and illicit drug or alcohol abuse or dependence between veterans
and nonveterans with a more
comprehensive analysis examining several measures of substance
abuse or dependence and
controlling for a wider range of covariates. Using data from the
2001-2007 National Household
Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study assesses whether or not
veterans have greater odds
than nonveterans to drink heavily or to suffer from abuse or
dependence of illicit drugs or alcohol
within the general adult population and within a subpopulation of
adults with serious
psychological distress. After conducting a series of multi-stage,
multivariable logistic regressions
where I control for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics,
as well as severity of mental
illness and overall physical health, I find veterans in the general
population are more likely than
nonveterans to drink heavily and to abuse or be dependent upon both
illicit drugs and alcohol.
Within a subpopulation of adults with serious psychological
distress, I find veterans are
significantly more likely than nonveterans to drink heavily and
abuse or be dependent upon
marijuana. These results show veterans are a high risk population
for heavy drinking and abuse or
dependence of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction Literature Review Substance Use among Veterans and Nonveterans Comparing Veterans and Nonveterans: Gaps in Existing Literature Conceptual Framework Conclusion Methods Dataset Dependent Variables Independent Variables Hypotheses and Analyses Results Descriptive Statistics Preliminary Statistical Analysis Logistic Regression Summary Discussion Review of Findings Implications Limitations Future Directions Conclusion Bibliography
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