However, hazardous drinking, both before and after deployment, continues to be a serious problem for regular service men and women.
In an accompanying commentary, Professor Lewis of Bristol’s Academic Unit of Psychiatry notes that alcohol is banned when troops are deployed, but alcohol is cheaper for regular troops when they are in base. He says: “This is a challenge for the general population but there does seem to be a particular problem in military culture about the use of alcohol.”
He concludes: “Keeping our servicemen and women fit and healthy is important for them and for their ability to carry out their demanding roles. Psychiatric illness is common in all walks of life and those serving in the military are not immune. Indeed, there are aspects of military life that would increase the risk of some disorders, such as PTSD.
“There is increasing realisation that the modern military must look after the minds as well as the bodies of its servicemen and women. The UK services have shown a commendable response to this issue. They have funded a major research programme at King's College, developed a network of mental health units and addressed health concerns in reservists.”
What are the consequences of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on the mental health of the UK armed forces? A cohort study by Nicola T Fear, Margaret Jones, Dominic Murphy, Lisa Hull, Amy C Iversen, Bolaji Coker, Louise Machell, Josefin Sundin, Charlotte Woodhead, Norman Jones, Neil Greenberg, Sabine Landau, Christopher Dandeker, Roberto J Rona, Matthew Hotopf, Simon Wessely The Lancet Published online May 13 2010
Mental health of UK Afghan and Iraq veterans by Glyn Lewis, The Lancet Published online May 13 2010