The standard and sex-specific AUDIT-Cs are effective screening tests for past-year hazardous drinking and/or active alcohol abuse or dependence in female patients in a VA study.

The findings encourage the development of an improved treatment model to keep jailed veterans with PTSD from repeated incarceration.

Symptoms of PTSD are common in women treated at VA facilities. In addition, PTSD is associated with self-reported mental and physical health problems and poor health-related quality of life in these patients. These findings have implications for the design of VA primary care services for the growing population of female veterans.

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Substance abuse is common among women VA patients and is associated with younger age and with screening positive for other psychiatric conditions. Providers are expected to follow up on positive screening tests, and these data indicate substantial provider burden.

This study evaluated the prevalence and associated risks of binge drinking, defined as having > or = 4 drinks on an occasion in the past year, in a female patient population. Of 1,259 female Veterans Affairs patients surveyed, 780 reported drinking alcohol in the past year, and 305 (24% of respondents, 39% of drinkers) reported binge drinking in the past year; 84 (11% of drinkers) had done so monthly or more often. Age-adjusted logistic regression analyses indicated that women who reported past-year binge drinking monthly or more often reported significantly increased odds of morning drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 40.3), others worrying about their drinking (OR = 38.6), arguments after drinking (OR = 13.5), hepatitis or cirrhosis (OR = 3.1), frequent injuries (OR = 2.6), smoking (OR = 3.7), drug use (OR = 22.2), and multiple sexual partners (OR = 4.6).

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