Veteran-nonveteran differences in alcohol and drug misuse by tobacco use status in Alabama SBIRT |
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| Authors: | David L. Albright Lauren Holmes Michael Lawson Justin McDaniel Kirsten Laha-Walsh Shanna McIntosh |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health, Director of the Office for Military Families and Veterans, School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USAdlalbright@ua.edu;3. SBIRT Field Data Supervisor, School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA;4. Assistant Professor, College of Education, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA;5. Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health and Recreation Professions, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA;6. Doctoral Student, School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA;7. Vital Project Director, School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
ABSTRACTAlcohol and substance use can challenge military veterans who live in rural communities. In 2016, the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in Alabama (AL-SBIRT) program was implemented in west Alabama. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether current tobacco use modified the relationship between veteran status and substance misuse. Self-reported wellness data was collected regarding substance, alcohol, or tobacco consumption. Risk levels for alcohol and drug use were measured using the United States Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (US-AUDIT) and the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)-10. Substance and tobacco use were significantly and positively correlated. Veterans had a higher US-AUDIT and DAST score than nonveterans, and tobacco appeared to be an exacerbating factor. Effective evidence-based interventions are needed in rural settings. Technology based programs and motivational interviewing with trained clinicians may serve as beneficial and cost-effective interventions for tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts. |
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| Keywords: | Alabama alcohol rural SBIRT substance use tobacco veteran |
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