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Topics: Alcohol

"If I weren't drinking, I would have dreams." Martin

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A litre of vodka a night

22 year old Martin Lindley was in the frontline in Afghanistan, when he came home he started abusing alcohol.

It numbs me out

45 year old Paul Harrison was a TA soldier who was sent to Iraq in 2003; he suffers from PTSD and uses alcohol to blank out his symptoms.

My way of coping

Gareth X, a former explosives expert, talks to young soldiers about his experiences of alcohol abuse.

That's how we comfort each other

Antonio Ching, one of the youngest soldiers to fight in Iraq in 2003, talks about why soldiers drink after tour.

Secretly drinking

John Duffy left the army 10 years ago and has been an alcoholic ever since         

Alcohol

Drinking has always been a part of army culture and seen as playing an important role in helping soldiers bond together. Statistics show that twice as many men and three times as many women in the UK armed Forces are hazardous drinkers compared to the general population. (Source: Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King's College London)

Alcohol: research and facts

Alcohol abuse is currently a major concern in the UK. Given their socio-demographics, pre-service background, and access to subsidised alcohol, it is perhaps unsurprising that members of the UK Armed Forces are the subject of unflattering media reports on its 'booze culture'. Dr Nicola Fear from King's College, London examines the issues. Read more ...

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