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Opioid use disorder in the active service: Implications for intervention.
Brian A Moore1,2, Sophie R Vincent2,3, Michael A Schlenk2
1Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA.
The American Journal on Addictions
|March 24, 2023
Summary
Opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnoses in military service members declined 34% between 2016 and 2021. The study identified demographic factors associated with higher OUD diagnosis rates in active duty personnel.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Military Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Military service members are susceptible to occupational injuries, leading to chronic pain and behavioral health issues.
- Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a significant concern within this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence rates and trends of OUD diagnoses among active duty military personnel.
- To identify demographic factors associated with OUD diagnoses in the military population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database (DMED) spanning 2016 to 2021.
- Conducted statistical analysis to calculate OUD incidence rates and examine diagnostic variability based on demographics.
Main Results:
- The average incidence rate of OUD was 6.1 per 10,000 service members.
- A significant decline of 34% in OUD diagnoses was observed between 2016 and 2021.
- Higher OUD diagnosis rates were noted in male, married, white service members aged 30-39, junior enlisted personnel, and those serving in the Army.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the first examination of OUD incidence rates in active duty military personnel.
- Findings highlight a declining trend in OUD diagnoses but underscore the need for targeted interventions based on identified demographic risk factors.
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