Alcohol Exposure While Serving in the United States Military

Over the past 30 years , alcohol use , misuse , and alcohol related problems have increased among military personnel. Researchers have tracked the rates of alcohol misuse and alcohol related problems among military personnel , but few have sought to understand alcohol exposure in the military. To fill this gap , the current study sought to understand the experience of alcohol exposure for active duty military personnel through a qualitative phenomenological design. Semi-structured interviews with participants were used to collect data. The grand tour question that guided this study was: How do active duty enlisted military personnel experience exposure to alcohol? Related sub-questions that directed the study included: 1. In what ways are active duty , enlisted military personnel exposed to alcohol during their enlistment period(s)? 2. How do active duty , enlisted military personnel describe their experiences with alcohol exposure? 3. In what ways , if any , does the military intrinsic and extrinsic cultures contribute to the use , misuse , and/or abuse of alcohol among active duty , enlisted military? Participant responses revealed three major themes that reflected their lived experiences of alcohol exposure during their military careers. These themes were drinking behaviors , military culture , and potential outcomes. Implications for counselor education , counseling service providers , military personnel , and future research are discussed