Background

Reports from the most recent worldwide surveys of personnel within all branches of the U.S. military raise concerns over drinking and tobacco use among younger personnel. One in five members of the military is a heavy drinker; 53% of heavy drinkers are 25 years old or younger, and 30% of that age group use tobacco. Thousands of young men and women enlist in the Navy each year; they are subject to dangerous work, long deployments away from family and friends, and service during war time. Alcohol and other drug use among these young recruits is a serious public health problem.

 

The Current Study

This report presents baseline survey data on the pre-enlistment substance use behavior of 2,000 Navy recruits, obtained during1998. Follow-up surveys were conducted in years 2000 and 2002.

 

Study Findings

Despite being overwhelmingly underage, 75% of recruits consumed alcohol in the year before enlistment, and 26% had engaged in heavy drinking. About half had used tobacco, and 31% had used drugs. The young women had rates of alcohol use, heavy drinking and drug use similar to those of the young men. Men were more likely to have used tobacco. Following are brief summaries of results for each substance category.

Alcohol
The large majority of recruits (75%) reported having at least one drink in the 12 months prior to enlistment. Approximately 25% of the sample was classified as heavy alcohol users. Heavy drinking was defined as males who reported drinking at least five drinks per typical drinking occasion at least once a week, and females who reported drinking at least four drinks per typical drinking occasion at least once a week. Among current drinkers, one third had engaged in heavy drinking.

The rate of alcohol use in this group was nearly identical to the rate among 18–25 year olds interviewed for the 1999 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, a survey of the general population. Rates of heavy drinking, however, were substantially higher among the recruit group than among the general population of 18–25-year-old respondents (24.3% vs. 13.3%).

When we compare the pre-enlistment rates of heavy drinking with the 18–25 age group who are already serving in the military, we see that it is approximately the same. This suggests that the work environment of the military does not provide protection against heavy drinking and that current prevention programs in the military may need to be improved upon if they are to reduce the unhealthy and unsafe drinking patterns among its youngest members.

Tobacco
Half of all recruits (51%) reported using tobacco in the 30 days prior to enlistment. Among cigarette smokers, most (60%) averaged about one half pack of cigarettes per day. Another 23% reported smoking about one pack per day. Nearly 17% smoked at least one and one half packs.

The prevalence of cigarette smoking in this group was similar to the rate of young adults in the in the general population, age 18–25, with only a high school diploma and almost identical to those already serving in the military. Here, as with heavy drinking, the findings suggest that the military work and social environment does not serve as a protective factor against smoking.

Drug Use
About 30% of recruits reported using at least one type of illicit drug in the 12 months prior to enlistment. Marijuana accounted for most of the drug use. About 10% used marijuana at least weekly, and about 7% had used hallucinogens, such as LSD, in the year before enlistment. Approximately 5% had used amphetamines, cocaine, or sedatives. Relatively few recruits (1–3%) had used heroin, PCP, GHB, tranquilizers, inhalants, Ecstasy, or steroids. The rate of pre-enlistment drug use is very similar to the illicit drug use rate among 18–25 year olds in the general population, based on data from the National Household Survey of Drug Abuse.

Both of the pre-enlistment and general population rates are considerably higher than the 6% use rate that was reported in the most recent worldwide survey of military personnel. Drug use in the military has been reduced from 37% usage rates in 1980 to 6% in 1998. This is likely due to overall declines in drug use over time as well as the Department of Defense’s worldwide policy of zero tolerance with regard to any drug use among its personnel.

 

Implications of the Study

These findings have important implications for the military, showing that many of the youngest and most vulnerable men and women entering the U.S. Navy already use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. In particular, more work needs to be done to curtail alcohol and tobacco use among new recruits in their early years in the military, and equally as important, to prevent heavy alcohol use among these young people prior to their enlistment. The findings are also relevant to civilian employers that employ large numbers of young adults. The results could serve to increase the awareness of employers about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and abuse among young men and women who are entering the work force.

 

Future Research Directions

Analyses are currently underway to examine how and why alcohol, tobacco and drug use patterns of Navy recruits change over time based on follow-up survey data obtained in 2000 and 2002.

 

The Take-Home Message

Young people entering the military as non-officer enlistees have rates of substance use that are similar to young people in the general population, although they are more likely to drink heavily. Young Navy recruits are subject to long hours and difficult work far from home. Drug and alcohol use poses significant danger to them; tobacco use causes short- and long-term health problems. Military and non-military employers of young adults should be aware of substance use and abuse issues and provide appropriate prevention and intervention services.

 

Return to Recent Findings