Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel: A Component of the Defense Lifestyle Assessment Program (DLAP)

Prospective prediction of functional difficulties among recently separated Veterans

“…A recent nationally representative survey indicated that 44 percent of post-9/11 Veterans report difficulties readjusting to civilian life [1]. Reintegration challenges manifest in a variety of ways, including functional problems in social, family, school, work, and community domains [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Such difficulties have implications for Veterans' quality of life.…”

“…Spiritual beliefs were measured with two items asking how strongly participants agreed with the statements "My religious/spiritual beliefs are a very important part of my life" and "My religious/spiritual beliefs influence how I make life decisions" [2]. Responses ranged from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 4 ("strongly agree"), and scores for the two items were summed.…”

“…Responses were captured on a 1-7 scale (1 = "never" and 7 = "28-30 d"). This item was adapted from the Health Related Behaviors Survey [2].…”

Resources and Capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to Provide Timely and Accessible Care to Veterans

“…Between 7 and 20 per cent of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans and service members report heavy alcohol use, 12 per cent report illicit drug use (including prescription drug misuse), and 2 per cent report illicit drug use (excluding prescription drug misuse) in the past 30 days (Bray et al, 2009). Individuals with SUD can experience a continuum of problems that range in severity from mild to severe.…”

“…These problems may include cravings and urges to use the substance, development of withdrawal symptoms, and social and occupational impairment (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). According to Bray et al (2009) RAND reviewed VA/DoD's clinical practice guidelines for SUD (VA, Management of Substance Use Disorders Working Group, 2009) and interviewed key informants within VA to better understand the course of clinical care for Veterans with SUD. Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment leading to a treatment plan, followed by either medication management of withdrawal symptoms, a brief intervention for someone with less severe alcohol abuse, or specialty treatment for individuals with more severe alcohol or other drug use disorders.…”