Vietnam combat exposure and recent drug use: a national study.

Traumatic life experiences may have long-term adverse psychological consequences, including illicit drug use. We analyzed data from the 1985-1986 Centers for Disease Control Vietnam Experience Study to investigate this issue. Over 2,400 Vietnam veterans indicated the amount of combat to which they had been exposed, and reported on their drug use while in the Army and during the year interval prior to the interview. Combat exposure was significantly related to recent drug use, even when Army drug use and demographic factors were controlled statistically.