It is important to note that there are many problems when it comes to the United States military, such as veteran PTSD and sexual harassment issues. However, the most overlooked and under-addressed is substance abuse, especially in the U.S. Army. Therefore, it is critical to systematically and analytically approach the given subject in order to arrive at plausible conclusions and solutions. The analysis reveals that substance abuse in the military is mainly caused by low family engagement issues, which is why the Army Substance Abuse Program should merge with the Army Family Advocacy Program.
Overview
In order to comprehensively analyze the problem of substance abuse in the military, it is valuable to conduct a general overview of the issues by using recent statistics and data on it. It should be noted that the U.S. military has a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019). However, “more than one in ten veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder, slightly higher than the general population” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019, para. 3). The same patterns can be observed among active duty personnel as well, which is caused by the “stresses of deployments and the unique culture of the military” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019, para. 1). The issue can be categorized into smoking, vaping, alcohol, opioids, and illicit drugs (Chestnut Health Systems, 2023). Thus, alcohol and prescription drugs, including opioids, are the most commonly abused substances. Substance abuse among military personnel can lead to serious consequences, including disciplinary action, health problems, and even combat readiness. Therefore, it is essential to address this problem effectively to protect the health and well-being of military personnel and ensure the success of military operations.
The Current Approach
Since the issue is prevalent in its scale and impactful on the operational effectiveness of the military, there are already measures undertaken by the leadership put in place. According to Army Regulations (AR) Record Details for AR 600-85, the U.S. Army has The Army Substance Abuse Program (Department of the Army, 2020). On the basis of these policies, one approach to addressing substance abuse in the military is prevention. Education and training programs are implemented to educate military personnel about the dangers of substance abuse and the consequences of drug use. The program provides information on the risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse and emphasizes the importance of maintaining physical and mental readiness for duty.
Another approach outlined in AR 600-85 is to address the root causes of substance abuse. Mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, can contribute to substance abuse. Therefore, access to mental health services is to be improved to ensure that military personnel receives the care they need. The measures seek to focus on reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment can encourage more individuals to seek help (Department of the Army, 2020). An additional way to combat substance abuse proposed by the Department of the Army (2020) is through drug testing. Regular drug testing can deter military personnel from using drugs and help identify those who may need help. However, drug testing alone is not enough to address the problem. Military leaders must be proactive in addressing substance abuse among their troops. Leaders are encouraged to create an environment that promotes responsible behavior and discourages drug use. They are recommended to enforce the policies and regulations that prohibit substance abuse.
Finally, a newly added approach by Army Regulations includes treatment and support services, which are becoming more available for military personnel who struggle with substance abuse. These services must be accessible, confidential, and non-punitive to encourage individuals to seek help (Department of the Army, 2020). Treatments are tailored to meet the specific needs of military personnel, such as addressing the unique stressors and challenges of military life. In other words, the U.S. Army has already taken many positive and comprehensive steps to address substance abuse in the military.
The Analysis of Evidence
Although the Army Substance Abuse Program by the Department of the Army is systematic in its approach, it still does not address the most critical root causes. It is important to note that suicide and substance abuse in the military are two highly interlinked problems, where the former can become an extreme manifestation of the latter. It was found that “compared with financial distress, relationship problems, and substance abuse history appeared to have much stronger associations with suicidal behavior, as did having a diagnosis of a mood disorder, such as major depressive disorder” (Goodin et al., 2019, p. 286). In other words, the measures reliant excessively on pay increases and bonuses should not be pursued since they are not the major drivers of mental health issues and suicidality. Another conclusion that can be derived from the study is that interpersonal and familial relationships should be a priority.
There is a list of critical risk factors among military personnel members which need to be monitored as part of the Army Substance Abuse Program. The first category of risk factors includes background elements, such as low education, male gender, young age, unmarried, and low military rank (Brady et al., 2019). The given pool of active duty personnel and veterans should be closely observed since they are at the highest risk of substance abuse. It is stated that “in terms of the military context, rates of substance abuse are greater for personnel with combat exposure and a recent or lengthy deployment” (Brady et al., 2019, p. 450). Thus, the second category of risk factors is combat exposure or deployment. In other words, close attention should be paid to those who were recently exposed to combat or deployed for a long period of time.
Recommendations
The key recommendation is that the Army Substance Abuse Program should merge or closely collaborate with the Army Family Advocacy Program. According to the Army Family Advocacy Program’s findings, long separations lead to violence and child neglect in military families (Aronson et al., 2018). Thus, the first reason is that interpersonal relationships are most important for military personnel rather than pay. Long deployments, combat exposures, and prolonged separation from their close social circle members contribute to the development of mental health conditions and subsequent substance abuse. The second reason is that the highest risk can be observed among young men, who did not have an opportunity to create a family of their own. Therefore, the Army Family Advocacy Program might consider expanding its range of duties by assisting such men in these affairs well since it has a positive effect on a multitude of performance domains.
An additional recommendation is to design deployment protocols, which include shorter deployments with more frequent returns or visits to families. There could be some cost-effective ways to manage these procedures because the duration is the main issue, which can be resolved by the frequency of family reunifications. Aronson et al. (2018) studied the Army Family Advocacy Program and found that “developing robust approaches to engaging families in family programming must be a high priority going forward” (p. 218). In other words, low-ranking soldiers must have opportunities to build their families and see them as frequently as possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Army Substance Abuse Program should merge with the Army Family Advocacy Program because substance abuse in the military is mainly caused by low family engagement issues. Firstly, interpersonal relationships are most important for military personnel rather than pay or compensation. Secondly, the highest risk can be observed among young men, who did not have an opportunity to create a family of their own. Designing deployment protocols with shorter deployments and more frequent returns or visits to families can be effective. The merging of these two programs could address the root cause of substance abuse among military personnel, which is low family engagement. By working together, these programs can help military families to cope with the stressors of military life and provide support and resources to address family issues before they lead to substance abuse. This collaboration can create an environment that promotes responsible behavior, discourages drug use, and supports mental health, ultimately reducing the risk of substance abuse among military personnel. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the programs should be carried out to ensure that the most effective approach is being implemented.
References
Aronson, K. R., Perkins, D. F., Morgan, N. R., Cox, C. A., & Robichaux, R. (2018). Military family advocacy in the U.S. Army: Program service outcomes and family participation. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 218-226. Web.
Brady, L. L., Crede, M., Harms, P. D., Bachrach, D. G., & Lester, P. B. (2019). Meta-analysis of risk factors for substance abuse in the US military. Military Psychology, 31(6), 450-461. Web.
Chestnut Health Systems. (2023). Learn the facts: Addiction. Web.
Department of the Army. (2020). The army substance abuse program. Web.
Goodin, C. A., Prendergast, D. M., Pruitt, L. D., Smolenski, D. J., Wilson, N. Y., Skopp, N., & Hoyt, T. (2019). Financial hardship and risk of suicide among U.S. Army personnel. Psychological Services, 16(2), 286–292. Web.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Substance Use and military life DrugFacts. Web.