The Prevention and Treatment of Alcoholism in the Royal Navy — 3. Preliminary Report on a Pilot Study of Naval Alcoholics

Abstract

ABSTRACTHistorical records contain many references to excessive drinking in the Royal Navy. It is apparent, however, that the prevalence of gross drunkenness has diminished greatly during the past two centuries. Nevertheless, there remain four main reasons for concern about naval drinking: 1.Evidence of increasing alcohol consumption in the United Kingdom.2.Clearer definition of the limits of ‘sensible drinking’.3.Evidence of occupational risk factors, and4.The changing role of the sailor in a computer-age Navy.Current Naval alcohol policy stresses a need for both preventive measures and early intervention in cases where evidence of abnormal drinking exists. In order to facilitate these measures a careful study of Naval drinking is required. Preliminary results from part of this project — a pilot study of 200 male Service alcoholics — confirm the presence of an alcoholdamaged group within the Service and establish baseline profiles of patients in treatment. The indications for further investigation, both in the treatment setting and in the Naval community, are outlined. Naval alcohol policy aims not only to enhance the efficiency of the work force but also to attend to the welfare of the individual sailor.