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UNCLASSIFIED 15a. DECL ASSIFI CATION DOWNGRADING SCHEDULE 16. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of thfa Report) Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. 17. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of the abstract entered In Block 20, If different from Report) IB. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 19. KEY WORDS (Continue on reverse aide if necessary and identity by block number) Alcohol Abuse Problem Drinking Incidence of Drinking Behaviors Comparative Intake Rates, Alcohol 20. ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse aide If necessary and Identify by block number) An Alcohol Experiences Questionnaire was administered to 2,045 Navy recruits to determine usage patterns, attitudes, and incidence of self-reported drinking problems for the period before their entry into the Navy. Comparisons were made between this incoming sample and naval personnel, particularly enlisted men, reporting drinking practices on a separate Navywide survey. Despite legal restrictions affecting many young civilians, 46 percent of I recruits (compared to 40 percent of EM) reported heavy intake of alcohol in the DD .HR, 1473 EDITION OF 1 NOV 65 IS OBSOLETE UNCLASSIFIED. . SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE(Whmn Data Knterad) 20. ABSTRACT (continued) previous year, and half of these were very heavy drinkers (12 or more drinks per occasion per week or 8 or more per day). A greater proportion of recruits reported binge drinking than did EM (27 vs. 16 percent). Since recruits as a group claimed more psychological benefits from alcohol consumption, they scored higher than EM on potential problem scales such as psychological dependence. Recruits experienced more belligerence due to drinking than did EM and had higher rates for police problems (21 percent reported "trouble with the law" involving drinking within the last 3 years). Recruits were generally similar to EM on other measures of current problem consequences in the social and health/injury areas within the last 3 years, though EM reported more problems on the job due to drinking. Extensive alcohol use, adverse consequences of drinking, and permissive attitudes toward drinking and intoxication were found among recruits prior to their initiation into Navy life. The data suggest that a large proportion of individuals who choose to join the Navy already evidence drinking problems. Alcohol misuse may be met with peer encouragement among the newly enlisted, but cannot be said to be, at this initial stage, a function as such of the Navy organization. Implications of the findings for alcohol abuse prevention and education are discussed, and research into the peer influence process is recommended. UNCLASSIFIED SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS P*GE(When Data Entered) FOREWORD This study was performed in support of exploratory development task area, PF55.521.032, Contemporary Social Issues. The report is part of a larger effort of research on contemporary factors in naval personnel effectiveness. Appreciation is expressed to the personnel from the enlisted classification unit at Recruit Training Center, San Diego, for their cooperation in...

" ine tes 11. Mi .Inaawetta The J'a'ueee/Seek/ir: A .iac'ia/ and hilifical Famuiesc' in the Military Systm. 410711k PUPotra iNew Ysark: The F'ree Prss 19111, v. 8(9, 9. P, loar , "The Adolescent Ise iecw Is(ite An"1 1%worm."nwers,'atllaguor iaFlamtlissoand the l19velopalertuf Families"' pp. 494m6, fIt McCublelit, N~hi, att lilit ssIm 44 460

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