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TRENDS AND ISSUES IN RELATION TO ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE IN THE ARMED FORCES
Msvk Raju1, S Chaudhury2, S Sudarsanan3
1Senior Advisor (Psychiatry), Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt-110 010.
Medical Journal, Armed Forces India
|July 14, 2016
Summary
Alcohol dependence is prevalent in psychiatric hospitalizations, affecting service personnel around age 35. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing alcoholism and its associated health and social problems.
Area of Science:
- Military psychiatry
- Addiction medicine
- Public health
Background:
- Alcohol dependence syndrome is a significant issue within psychiatric hospitalizations.
- There is an increasing incidence of alcohol dependence among Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks (JCOs/ORs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of alcohol dependence syndrome in service personnel.
- To identify diagnostic aids and associated co-morbidities in military alcohol dependence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of psychiatric hospitalization data focusing on alcohol dependence.
- Assessment of demographic factors, drinking patterns, family history, psychological traits, and diagnostic markers.
- Evaluation of physical health problems, psychotic phenomena, social/occupational issues, and self-harm attempts.
Main Results:
- Alcohol dependence affects 15-33% of psychiatric hospitalizations, with higher incidence in specific corps.
- Dependent individuals typically start drinking around 35 years old, consuming 6-7 pegs daily, with 31% having a family history.
- Alcoholism is linked to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, alexithymia, and elevated GGT/MCV levels.
- Associated issues include physical problems (33%), psychosis (20%), social/occupational difficulties (40-55%), and self-harm (3-6.93%).
Conclusions:
- Alcohol dependence syndrome presents significant challenges in service personnel, impacting health and social functioning.
- γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) show utility as diagnostic aids.
- Further research is needed on precipitating factors, co-morbidity, treatment, and long-term outcomes in this population.
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