Survey of alcohol and drug misuse in spinal cord injured veterans

Although the spinal cord injured population is considered by many to be especially vulnerable to alcohol and drug misuse, there is little factual information regarding the prevalence of alcohol and drug misuse among this group. To survey alcohol and drug misuse in a large population of spinal cord injured veterans, a 61-item questionnaire was mailed to 2000 randomly selected members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America organization. Of 1083 questionnaires returned, 992 were usable. The results were analyzed with regard to sociodemographic data, level of injury, type of accident, current medication use and the use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests. The majority of respondents indicated the regular use of alcohol prior to age 21 and before the spinal injury (70.1%). Conversely, the majority who acknowledged the use of recreational drugs reported the use began after the injury (75%). In contrast to the notion that the spinal cord injured individual is at high risk for alcohol and drug misuse, this study indicates alcohol and drug use is far less than in the general population.