Problems with Social Acceptance and Social Victimization Predict Substance Use among US Reserve/Guard Soldiers

The relationship of risk-related behaviors and substance use among U.S. Army National Guard/Army Reserve soldiers and deployment differences

U.S. Army National Guard and Army Reserve (ANG/USAR) soldiers are at risk for substance use, and research in other populations suggests risk-related behaviors and traits affect the propensity for use. Less is known about how deployment might amplify these effects. Our research explored the relations between risk-related behaviors and substance use among ANG/USAR soldiers and investigated differences by deployment (previously vs. never deployed). We drew a subset of data from Operation: SAFETY, an ongoing study of ANG/USAR soldiers and their partners (married/living together as if married). Cross-sectional regression models examined domains of risk (i.e., risk perception, risk-taking/impulsivity, sensation-seeking) and substance use (any current drug use, current non-medical use of prescription drugs, current illicit drug use, alcohol problems, and frequent heavy drinking [FHD]). Final models controlled for age, sex, anger, and PTSD. Interaction terms between risk behaviors and deployment status on substance use were also noted. Results revealed that greater risk perception was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of and protective against FHD. Greater risk-taking/impulsivity was associated with a higher likelihood of any current drug use and alcohol problems. Additionally, interaction models suggest that non-deployed soldiers at every level of risk-taking/impulsivity had a consistently high likelihood of illicit drug use overall. Sensation-seeking was not associated with any outcome. Findings demonstrate that greater risk-taking/impulsivity was associated with substance use, and never deployed/non-deployed ANG/USAR soldiers might be more vulnerable. Our work can help inform substance use interventions in the military by highlighting the role and impact of risk-related behaviors and non-deployment.

Relationship between craving to drugs, emotional manipulation and interoceptive awareness for social acceptance: the addictive perspective

BACKGROUND

Drug addiction (DA) is a global psychiatric worldwide problem. Patients with substance use disorder are more likely to use the numerous defenses at their disposal to control their surroundings emotionally. This could virtually cause a tidal wave of social rejection of them in the community. The study aims to investigate drug craving, emotional manipulation, and interoceptive awareness for social acceptance among patients with substance use disorder.

METHODS

This study followed a descriptive correlational design on a sample of 110 patients with substance use disorder who were recruited to complete the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale, the Emotion Manipulation Questionnaire, and the Perceived Acceptance Scale.

RESULTS

Most respondents recorded high levels of PACS and emotional manipulation ability. A highly positive and significant correlation was found between scores on emotional manipulation ability and PACS.

CONCLUSION

Craving for drugs was a significant predictor of emotional manipulation ability. Incorporation of effective nursing interventions to enable patients with substance use disorder to engage in self-reflection related to how their cravings for drugs may lead them to prioritize their needs over others.

Social and psychological predictors of alcohol-related incidents involving servicemen

"The aim of the research was to determine the social and psychological predictors of alcohol-related incidents involving servicemen. The research involved 310 servicemen, who were subjected to disciplinary and administrative penalties within 2016-2021 years for the offence commitment under the influence of alcohol. The control group included 650 servicemen who joined the service within this period. The analysis of psychological features of servicemen was carried out with the help of the following methods: “Determination of Type Accentuation of Character Traits and Temper” Questionnaire, “Self-Esteem Structures of Temper Questionnaire”, “Multilevel Personality ‘Adaptability’ Questionnaire”, “Progressive Matrix”, “16 PF Questionnaire”, and “Self-Esteem Structures of Temper Questionnaire”. Cluster analysis was used to differentiate servicemen who committed incidents under the influence of alcohol. The determined typology was valuable for the organization of preventive works, events dedicated to the improvement of socialization by recruits, adequate formation of servicemen image as well as their identification in accordance with it, and events dedicated to the prevention of suicidal behaviour."

The prevalence of hazardous and harmful alcohol use across trauma-exposed occupations: A meta-analysis and meta-regression

BACKGROUND

Trauma exposure is associated with hazardous and/or harmful alcohol use. Occupational groups frequently exposed to trauma may be at risk of alcohol harm. This meta-analysis determined the prevalence of hazardous and harmful alcohol use across trauma-exposed occupations and meta-regressions explored the impact of pre-defined covariates on the variance in prevalence estimates.

METHOD

Literature was searched from 2000 to March 2020, using Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO. Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they used a standardized measure of alcohol use (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)). Studies were excluded if they measured alcohol use following an isolated sentinel event (e.g., 9/11). The following occupations were included: first responders, health care workers, Armed Forces, war journalists and train drivers.

RESULTS

1882 studies were identified; 55 studies were eligible. The pooled prevalence of hazardous use was 22% (95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 17%-27%) and 11% (95% CI: 8%-14%) for harmful use. Hazardous alcohol use was significantly lower in health care workers (13%; 95% CI: 10%-16%) than first responders (26%; 95% CI: 20%-32%) and Armed Forces (34%; 95% CI: 18%-52%). There was marked heterogeneity across studies and higher prevalence rates in low-quality studies. The meta-regression identified higher proportion of males and younger mean age as predictors of variance.

CONCLUSIONS

Male-dominated occupations, such as police officers and military personnel, showed higher levels of hazardous and harmful alcohol use, indicating that interventions tailored specifically for these occupational groups may be needed.