According to a new spotlight by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), female veterans aged 20-39 are far less likely to engage in binge drinking or the use of substances such as cigarettes and illicit drugs than male veterans of the same age group.
The results were drawn from SAMHSA's 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The survey collects data by administering questionnaires to a representative sample of the population through face-to-face interviews at their places of residence.
The differences were most pronounced in terms of binge drinking, which is classified as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion.
While 22.9 percent of female veterans reported binge drinking in the past month, 43.2 percent of male veterans in this age group had engaged in it within the same period.
There was also a significant difference in the levels of substance abuse between female and male veterans age 20-39 regarding illicit drug use. While 13.1 percent of male veterans used illicit drugs in the past month only 9.6 percent female veterans used drugs.
Similarly there was a significant difference in cigarette use levels. Past month cigarette use for males was 40.9 percent, while it was 33.4 percent for female veterans.
However, female veterans did report similar habits as their male counterparts when it came to non-medical use of prescription drugs such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, or sedatives -- about 4 percent for men and approximately 3.5 percent for women.
SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. said that while female veterans may not abuse drugs or alcohol as much as male veterans, they still may have other critical health care needs due to the unique conditions they may have experienced during their service. Hyde said it's essential that comprehensive behavioral health care systems are provided to meet the challenges facing all veterans.
"The nation's service women and men have sacrificed much for their country and the nation must do everything it can to provide comprehensive health care to meet their behavioral health needs and those of their families," said Hyde.
