Accession Number:
ADA224793
Title:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hospitalizations Among Submarine Personnel in the U.S. Navy
Descriptive Note:
Interim rept. 1974-1979,
Corporate Author:
NAVAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER SAN DIEGO CA
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1990-05-09
Pagination or Media Count:
18.0
Abstract:
This study evaluated alcohol and drug abuse risks associated with U. S. Navy submarine duty by comparing hospitalization rates of submariners with surface-ship personnel for five occupational groups. Occupational groups included administrativeclerical, apprentice, blue collar, electronictechnical, and medical personnel. Occupational groups were compared between ship type using age-adjusted hospitalization rates for alcohol and drug abuse related diagnoses. For alcohol abuse, submarine personnel had significantly lower hospitalization rates than surface-ship personnel for each of the five occupational groups. Hospitalization rate for alcohol abuse across all occupational groups for submariners was less than one-half the rate for surface-ship personnel. For drug abuse hospitalizations, submarine personnel had a significantly lower rate in the blue collar occupations. Hospitalization rate for drug abuse across all occupational groups for submariners was about one-half the rate for surface-ship personnel. Reasons for lower alcohol and drug abuse among submariners may be stringent screening, higher levels of education, and severe penalties for substance abuse for submariners.
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Medicine and Medical Research
- Toxicology