Alcohol Abuse by GIs Soars

There have been quite a few stories the last couple of days on the fact that the number of Army soldiers going into treatment programs for alcohol abuse has doubled since 2003.  This follows a report earlier this year on alarming increases in the number of suicides among soldiers.

“I’m sure there are many factors for the rising numbers (of enrollments) … but I can’t believe the stress our people are under after eight years of combat isn’t taking a toll,” saidAdm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

There are also reports that Marines are seeing an increase, particularly in drunken-driving case – a stunning 1060 DUIs this year so far.

The stories seem somewhat contradictory – one says the increase is dramatic, but another says the number of soldiers actually enrolled in treatment has not gone up that much.  Not sure what the story is, but I suspect it’s the same old issue of punishment over treatment for alcoholism.

I am sure we are going to see many damaged lives over the next few decades due to the length of deployment and enormous stresses on these soldiers – similar to what was seen after the Vietnam war.  My hope is that as people get more knowledge about alcoholism and the need for effective treatment, that these soldiers will have access to this treatment.  They have given years of their lives to this country, the least we can do is give them the medical care they need.