Receptivity to alcohol-related care among U.S. women Veterans with alcohol misuse

Abstract

Previous research indicates women Veterans have a potentially large, unmet need for alcohol-related care but are under-represented in treatment settings. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with women Veterans' receptivity to a recommendation for alcohol-related care when they present to Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care with alcohol misuse. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from 2012-2013 with 30 women Veterans at two VA facilities who screened positive for alcohol misuse during a primary care visit and discussed their alcohol use with their primary-care provider. Qualitative analyses identified 9 themes women used to describe what affected their receptivity to a recommendation for alcohol-related care (i.e., VA specialty substance use disorder services). The most common themes positively associated with women's receptivity included self-appraisal of their drinking behavior as more severe, the provider's presentation of treatment options, availability of gender-specific services, and worse physical and mental health. The themes identified here may have important implications for the clinical strategies providers can use to present alcohol-related care options to women Veterans to facilitate their use of care. These strategies include educating women about the health effects of alcohol misuse and increasing providers' knowledge about available care options (within the care organization or the community), including the availability of gender-specific services.

Increased risk of dementia in older female US veterans with alcohol use disorder

“…A recent review identified several barriers to women seeking help, including co‐occurring disorders, financial disparities and fear of child protective services [44]. Furthermore, outcomes for veteran and non‐veteran women are best when treatments for AUD are delivered in women‐only programs [44–46].…”

Gender Differences in Use of Alcohol Treatment Services and Reasons for Nonuse in a National Sample

“…In contrast, 2 subsequent studies using national survey data have failed to replicate such gender differences in perceived need (Edlund et al., ; Grella et al., ); however, in 1 of those studies outcomes were not disaggregated between alcohol and drug treatment (Grella et al., ). A qualitative study of heavy drinking women attending Veterans Affairs medical centers found that perceptions of drinking—driven largely by perceived control over alcohol use and drinking‐related consequences—were the factor most frequently associated with alcohol services (Lewis et al., ). Given different legal statuses and social attitudes toward use, combining substance use treatments may obscure potentially important distinctions between men's and women's motivations and barriers by service type.…”

Substance use disorders in military veterans: prevalence and treatment challenges

“… 61 Female veterans receiving care at VAMCs offering specialized services for women were more likely to engage in treatment and were more receptive to SUD treatment when gender-specific care options were accessible. 64 , 65 …”