Substance Use Disorders in Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in VA Healthcare, 2001–2010: Implications for Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Researchers used Department of Veterans Affairs administrative data to determine the prevalence of alcohol use disorders and drug use disorders among Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (N = 456,502). Researchers also explored the comorbidity of substance use disorders and other mental health issues including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. Ten percent of Veterans received an alcohol use disorder diagnosis, 5% received a drug use disorder diagnosis, and 3% received both alcohol use disorder and drug use disorder diagnoses.