Why Military Service Members Struggle With Substance Abuse—And What Parents Can Do

Military service members face significantly higher rates of substance abuse than civilians, with 34% of soldiers reporting binge drinking at least once in the past 30 days and 9.8% engaging in heavy drinking patterns. Understanding why this happens—and recognizing the warning signs—can help parents support their children through the unique challenges of military life.

What Makes Military Life a Risk Factor for Substance Abuse?

The combination of chronic stress, combat trauma, and military culture creates a perfect storm for substance use issues. Soldiers carry emotional burdens most civilians never face, including the grief of losing friends and lasting trauma from combat experiences. For many, substances become a way to quiet their nervous system and cope with overwhelming stress.

Military culture itself plays a significant role. Alcohol is often readily available and woven into social life, making drinking feel like an expected way to bond or fit in with peers. Research by the National Institutes of Health has shown that boredom and lack of structure during downtime contribute to drinking among soldiers, while loneliness and homesickness add another layer of strain during long separations from loved ones.

Which Substances Are Military Members Using Most?

While alcohol remains the most common substance of abuse, prescription drugs pose a growing concern. A study examining substance use across military branches found that prescription pain relievers are the most commonly misused drugs among service members, followed by sedatives. Antidepressants are misused far less frequently.

The drinking patterns are particularly concerning. Binge drinking—defined as five or more drinks at one time for men and four or more for women—affects over one-third of soldiers. Heavy drinking, meaning binge drinking at least once or twice a week, affects nearly 10% of service members.

How Can Parents Recognize the Warning Signs?

Identifying substance abuse in active-duty children requires understanding both physical and behavioral changes. The signs often develop gradually, making early detection crucial for intervention.

• Physical symptoms: Difficulty stopping alcohol or drug use even after promising to quit, withdrawal symptoms like irritability, nausea, vomiting, or insomnia when cutting back, and needing increasing amounts to achieve the same effects
• Behavioral changes: Preoccupation with substances, secrecy and defensiveness about personal time, discipline issues in the military, and extreme mood swings
• Social withdrawal: Using substances at the expense of relationships and work commitments, isolating from previously important relationships, and abandoning much-enjoyed hobbies

For service members, seeking help carries additional challenges beyond typical addiction stigma. Many soldiers take pride in their resilience and self-discipline, making admission of a substance use problem feel like admitting failure. Fear of professional consequences, including loss of rank or discharge, often keeps service members struggling in silence even when help is desperately needed.

Parents can take proactive steps to support their children before problems escalate. Starting conversations early about substance use risks, maintaining open and nonjudgmental communication, and discussing healthy coping strategies for managing grief, loneliness, and peer pressure can make a significant difference. Paying attention to changes in mood, behavior, or social connections during communication helps identify potential struggles early.

The reality is that not every soldier drinks, and not every soldier who does will develop a problem. However, understanding these risk factors and warning signs empowers parents to recognize potential issues and provide the support their children need to make healthier choices during their military service.