Traumatic Brain Injury Among US Active Duty Military Personnel and Negative Drinking-Related Consequences

• Published in: Substance use & misuse 2013-07, Vol.48 (10), p.821-836
• Main Authors: Adams, Rachel Sayko, Larson, Mary Jo, Corrigan, John D., Ritter, Grant A., Williams, Thomas V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Alcohol consumption; alcohol drinking; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Alcohol use; alcohol-related disorders; Alcohol-Related Disorders - complications; Alcohol-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Alcohol-Related Disorders - psychology; Binge drinking; Binge Drinking - complications; Binge Drinking - epidemiology; Binge Drinking - psychology; Brain; Brain damage; Brain Injuries - complications; Brain Injuries - epidemiology; Brain Injuries - psychology; combat; Combat Disorders - complications; Combat Disorders - epidemiology; Combat Disorders - psychology; Combat related posttraumatic stress disorder; Combatants; deployment; Drunkenness; Female; Health; Health behavior; Health Surveys; Humans; Incidence; Injuries; Male; Military Personnel; Military Personnel - psychology; Military Personnel - statistics & numerical data; negative drinking-related consequences; Personnel; Post traumatic stress disorder; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Risk Factors; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - complications; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Studies; Traumatic brain injury; Unconsciousness - complications; Unconsciousness - epidemiology; Unconsciousness - psychology; United States - epidemiology; United States of America
• ISSN: 1082-6084; 1532-2491
• DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2013.797995

This study used the 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors among Active Duty Military Personnel to determine whether traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with past year drinking-related consequences. The study sample included currently drinking personnel who had a combat deployment in the past year and were home for ≥6 months (N = 3,350). Negative binomial regression models were used to assess the incidence rate ratios of consequences, by TBI-level. Experiencing a TBI with a loss of consciousness for more than 20 minutes was significantly associated with consequences independent of demographics, combat exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, and binge drinking. The study's limitations are noted.