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Gender differences and alcohol use in the US Army
R Gregory Lande1, Barbara A Marin, Audrey S Chang
1Army Substance Abuse Program, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-0003, USA. rglande@pol.net
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
|October 3, 2007
Summary
Men engage in more binge drinking, but women exceed safe alcohol guidelines at nearly twice the rate. Addressing gender differences in alcohol education can improve US Army risk-reduction programs.
Area of Science:
- Military Health
- Alcohol Use Research
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Operation Iraqi Freedom provided a unique context to examine alcohol consumption patterns within the US Army.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated gender-based differences in alcohol use among military personnel.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify gender-based differences in alcohol consumption among US Army soldiers.
- To assess the effectiveness of current alcohol education initiatives in the military.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire assessing alcohol use patterns, attitudes, and negative consequences was administered to 1200 US Army soldiers in February 2005.
- Data from 1010 respondents (685 men, 325 women) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Men reported higher rates of binge drinking, while women exceeded safe alcohol consumption guidelines at a risk-adjusted rate nearly double that of men.
- Gender influenced the severity of negative consequences associated with non-conforming alcohol use.
- Women experienced greater psychosocial impairment and faced higher risks of injury, morbidity, and mortality if harmful drinking progressed to dependency.
Conclusions:
- Significant gender-specific differences in alcohol consumption patterns were identified within the US Army.
- Women expressed greater interest in educational interventions for alcohol abuse.
- Tailoring risk-reduction programs to address gender-based differences is recommended to enhance efficacy.
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