Screening alcohol abuse potential among army reservists with The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test

Abstract

The Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test was psychometrically useful in screening a sample of 560 reservists from a midwest general hospital unit. The most conservative estimate of alcohol abuse potential was 11.3%, with possibly 6.6% having symptoms of alcohol dependence. Comparisons with active duty military, Army, and civilian samples suggest that prevalence of abuse in the Reserve sample is similar to that of the combined military, but lower than that of the Army. Future research and policy choices are highlighted.