The Stigma Related To Substance Abuse Disorders
Based on recent research, it appears that the stigma associated with substance abuse treatment is pretty much the same in the military as it is in the general civilian population (Military Psychology, 23:1, 112 – 123) as is the rate of substance abuse amongst similar age groups. For instance, rates of alcohol binge drinking (5 or more drinks on a single occasion) in the 18 to 25 year old populations of both groups appear to be the same.
As with the general civilian population marital status, ethnicity, and income in the military population also affect the rate at which people with substance abuse disorders seek treatment. Military personnel who were male, single, and in a lower pay grade were more apt to seek treatment for substance abuse than were their counterparts. This seems to be the general trend in the civilian population as well.
The perceived roadblocks to getting help for substance abuse disorders appear to be higher in the military when compared to the civilian population. Because most healthcare services for military personnel are provided by institutional organizations like the VA, the perceived level of discretion is lower. Since the VA is part of the military, any services they provide go on the service member’s record. Because of this many people suffering from substance abuse in the military who wish to get help oftentimes avoid it.
Additionally, service members tend to view issues like binge drinking to be part of the military culture. As a result of this, alcohol abuse treatment is often viewed as punitive since most service members are usually only referred to treatment when they have had an alcohol related infraction. So the common belief is that whoever was referred to a treatment program was unable to handle their relationship with alcohol in a manner consistent with military culture. The idea that alcoholism is a disease which some people have no control over doesn’t even appear to be part of the dialogue.
As with the general population, the issue of substance abuse disorders and treatment seems to be one of education. Increasing the awareness of the disease model of addiction appears to reduce the stigma associated with treatment and therefore increase the enrollment. Where universal education and prevention programs have been instituted the rates of alcohol and drug abuse have been drastically reduced and the success of treatment has been increased.