FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, August 13, 2008
CONTACT:
Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or
Troubling
Alcohol Use Found Among Young Veterans New Study Finds
Disturbing Risk of Binge Drinking Among Servicemembers
NEW YORK - Yesterday, the Journal of the American Medical
Association (JAMA) released a study on alcohol abuse among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. According to the study, combat exposure
significantly increases servicemembers' risk of heavy drinking, binge drinking
and other alcohol-related problems.
Young servicemembers are at the highest risk of developing these
problems following their deployments.
JAMA also found, "Those born after 1980 were at 6.72 increased odds of
new-onset binge drinking."
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA),
the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,
responded to the findings:
"The
high risk of alcohol abuse among veterans with combat exposure and young
veterans reflects the tremendous strain these men and women are under," said
Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of
America. "In particular, reserve
component troops experience an extremely abrupt transition from the battlefield
to their civilian lives. They are in Baghdad one week and Brooklyn
the next- an incredibly difficult adjustment."
"As
the political conventions approach, Senators Obama and McCain must address
these critical issues and outline plans to ensure that veterans receive adequate
screening and treatment for the psychological wounds of war," said Rieckhoff.
The
study sampled over 40,000 active duty, Reserve, and National Guard troops. Of the more than 10,000 participants who had
been deployed, more than 5,000 had experienced combat. An abstract of the JAMA study can be found here.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org)
is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and nonpartisan organization,
IAVA represents more than 100,000 veteran members and civilian supporters in
all 50 states. To arrange an interview with IAVA Executive Director Paul
Rieckhoff or any other IAVA member veterans, please contact Michael Houston at
(212) 982-9699 or
