Alcohol and drug abuse among U.S. veterans: comparing associations with intimate partner substance abuse and veteran psychopathology

J Trauma Stress. 2013 Feb;26(1):71-6. doi: 10.1002/jts.21773. Epub 2013 Jan 16.

Abstract

This study examined the relative influences of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other psychopathology, and intimate partner alcohol and drug use on substance-related problems in U.S. veterans (242 couples, N = 484). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that partner alcohol and drug use severity explained more variance in veteran alcohol use and drug use (20% and 13%, respectively) than did veteran PTSD, adult antisocial behavior, or depression symptoms combined (6% for veteran alcohol use; 7% for veteran drug use). Findings shed new light on the influence of relationship factors on veteran alcohol and drug use and underscore the importance of couples-oriented approaches to treating veterans with comorbid PTSD and substance abuse.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology*
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Alcoholism / rehabilitation
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / epidemiology
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / rehabilitation
  • Combat Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Combat Disorders / psychology
  • Combat Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Comorbidity
  • Couples Therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / rehabilitation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychopathology
  • Spouses / psychology*
  • Spouses / statistics & numerical data*
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / rehabilitation
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • United States
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Veterans / statistics & numerical data*