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Background
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 79,000
deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. This makes excessive alcohol use
the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death for the nation. In the single year 2005, there were over 1.6 million
hospitalizations and over 4 million emergency room visits for alcohol-related conditions. (Quick Stats)
According to the Results from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, DHSS SAMHSA, in 2009, an estimated 21.8 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month)
illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey
interview. This estimate represents 8.7 percent of the population aged 12 or older. Illicit
drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants,
or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically. The 2009 rate (8.7 percent) was higher than the rate in 2008 (8.0 percent). Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drugs.
In September 2001, the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) released a clinical practice guideline entitled VA/DoD Management of Substance Use Disorders in Primary and Specialty Care Clinical Practice Guideline.
It was designed to assist clinicians evaluate and manage adult patients with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). In 2009, the guideline was revised: VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Aug 09.
The guideline consists of five modules:
- Algorithm A - Screening and Initial Assessment for Substance Use Disorder
- Algorithm B - Management of SUD in Specialty SUD Care
- Algorithm C - Management of SUD in (Primary) General Healthcare
- Algorithm P - Addiction-Focused Pharmacotherapy
- Algorithm S - Stabilization and Withdrawal Management
This Web page was developed to provide clinical guidance, policies and directives, fact sheets, training material,
and related links to assist healthcare providers and Service members and their families.
Table of Contents
Clinical Guidance
Policies and Directives
DoD / Joint Forces
Army
Air Force
Navy/Marines
Coast Guard
VA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Implementation Guidelines
Implementation Tools
- VA/DoD SUD CPG Tool Kit
- Provider Guide
- Substance Use Disorder Pocket Guide, 2011
(Derived from the VA/DoD SUD CPG Aug 09 to provide medical and psychological health providers with a quick reference tool for treating patients
with SUD. It was developed by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) in collaboration
with the VA/DoD.)
- Tool Kit Content and Ordering Information (Contents include: provider pocket guide, patient booklet on
medication-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence, and brochure for family members about substance use disorders and support-focused resources)
- Brochures and Fact Sheets
Other Related Information
- Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, Military Medicine, Supplemental Issue Vol. 177, No. 8S, Aug 12
- Alcohol-related Diagnoses, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2001-2010, AFHSC Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR) Vol 18 No 10, Oct 11
- Leaders Guide for Managing Personnel in Distress, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Section
- Navy MORE (My Ongoing Recovery Experience) (Web-based continuing care support system for service members, family members and retirees enrolled in the Navy substance abuse and rehabilitation services.)
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Air Force Crossroads, Culture of Responsible Choices (CoRC) Web Page (The
Culture of Responsible Choices (CoRC) is a commanders program consisting of a
four-tiered approach with emphasis on leadership, individual, base, and
community-level involvement -- underscoring responsible behaviors including
alcohol use.To support CoRC implementation efforts, toolkits from each function
are posted here as a resource.)
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) Courage to Care Fact Sheet,Alcohol and Your Health
Education and Training
- Satellite Broadcast on VA/DoD CPG on the Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults (including tools to facilitate implementation of Substance Abuse Disorders CPG), 4 Sep 02 PowerPoint Presentations
Research
- Institute of Medicine (IOM) Consensus Report, Substance Use Disorders
in the U.S. Armed Forces, Sep 12 (At the request of the Department of Defense (DoD), the IOM analyzed policies and programs that pertain to prevention, screening,
diagnosis, and treatment of substance use disorders for active duty service members in all branches, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and military families.
The IOM concluded that to deal with this public health crisis, the DoD will need to consistently implement evidence-based prevention, screening, diagnosis, and
treatment services and take leadership for ensuring that these services expand and improve.)
Related Links
- Federal
- afterdeployment (The Military Health System's mental wellness resource Web portal for service members, veterans, and military families suffering post-deployment mental health problems.)
- StopAlcoholAbuse.Gov Web Site (Comprehensive portal of Federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue.)
- That Guy (Multi-media campaign managed by the Military Health System that uses online and offline communication with the goal of reducing excessive drinking among young service members.)
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