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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mandy Stahre, MPH and Robert D. Brewer, MD, MSPH. CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS K-67, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-5325, mstahre@cdc.gov

Binge drinking (5 or more drinks on one occasion) is a common risk behavior in the U.S. that resulted in approximately 41,000 deaths and 1.5 million years of potential life lost in 2001. However, very little is known about binge drinking among active duty military personnel (ADMP). We analyzed 2002 data on binge drinking and related harms using the Department of Defense Survey of Health-Related Behaviors among Military Personnel, a global in-person survey of approximately 12,000 ADMP. Overall, 42.2% of all ADMP (drinkers and nondrinkers) reported binge drinking in the past 30 days. This resulted in 32 million episodes of binge drinking, or approximately 30 binge drinking episodes per ADMP per year. Annual per capita binge drinking episodes were highest among ADMP who were male (33.8 episodes); stationed on-board ships (38.2); single (not married) (42.5); aged 21-25 yrs (45.7); in the Marine Corps (44.9); or Junior Enlisted rank (48.8). Compared to current drinkers who did not binge drink, binge drinkers were more likely to report working below their normal level of performance due to their drinking (26.8% vs. 5.6%; crude OR 5.89; 95%CI (4.62, 7.51)); and to drive within 2 hours of consuming any alcohol (55.2% vs. 36.4%; crude OR 2.15; 95%CI (1.93, 2.39)). Binge drinking is extremely common among ADMP, and is associated with impaired work performance and health risks. Evidence-based prevention strategies, including restricting youth access to alcoholic beverages and increasing the price of alcohol, may be warranted to reduce binge drinking and related harms among military personnel.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the prevalence of binge drinking and related harms among active duty military personnel.
• Describe the frequency of binge drinking episodes, and how the rate of binge drinking episodes varies among different subgroups within the military.
• Identify strategies the military can use to prevent binge drinking and related harms.

Keywords: Binge Drinking, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered