Longitudinal Changes in Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Veterans With Hazardous Alcohol Use: The Role of Avoidance Coping.

Military personnel who have experienced combat trauma are at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A greater recognition of the complex array of vulnerability factors that contribute to PTSD severity has led researchers to examine other non-combat-related factors. This longitudinal study examined a number of pre-, peri-, and postdeployment factors hypothesized to contribute to PTSD symptomatology among returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans presenting with at least subthreshold PTSD symptoms and hazardous alcohol use in a primary care setting.

Natural Course of Co-Occurring PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder Among Recent Combat Veterans.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) commonly co-occur in veterans, yet little is known about the longitudinal course of PTSD and drinking in comorbid populations. This study assessed the natural course of daily alcohol consumption and weekly changes in PTSD symptoms in 112 recent combat veterans over the course of 11 months. Latent class growth mixture modeling was used to classify individuals into distinct classes with similar PTSD symptom and alcohol use growth trajectories.

Predictors of Mental Health Care Utilization in Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Hazardous Drinking.

Objectives: Describe outpatient mental health service use in a sample of recent combat Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and hazardous alcohol use and investigate predictors of mental health care utilization.

Methods: In this prospective study, 126 Veterans with full or subthreshold PTSD and hazardous alcohol use completed a baseline assessment and reported mental health service use through a 12-month follow-up period. Logistic regressions were used to identify factors predicting mental health care utilization.

The effect of depression on the association between military service and life satisfaction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of depression on the association between a history of military service and life satisfaction among a nationally representative sample of US men.

Methods: Data from 57,905 men were obtained from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance survey that assessed depression, history of military service, and life satisfaction. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted, controlling for demographics and physical health characteristics.

Physical and sexual abuse history and addiction treatment outcomes.

Objective: Prior research on patients with substance use disorders has shown that lifetime physical or sexual abuse is associated with more impaired functioning at treatment intake. The present study sought to determine whether physical or sexual abuse also predicted treatment response (posttreatment outcomes) of individuals with substance use disorders.

Method: Male (n = 19,989) and female (n = 622) veterans with substance use disorders were assessed with the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) early in treatment and reassessed an average of 12 months later.