Telling anyone you're concerned about their drinking would be difficult — but telling a military spouse about your concerns seems especially daunting — it's like telling your favorite superhero they have a weakness. Not only is it hard to find the right words, it feels like even the most carefully chosen words will be met with defensiveness.
A new research study and web program, Partners Connect, was launched in September to help military spouses concerned about a loved one's drinking. It's a free online program that spouses can access confidentially anywhere, anytime to learn communication tools and tips for taking care of themselves and their spouses. Part of a research study funded by the National Institutes of Health, openings are limited and only available until the end of October, 2015. For more information, please visit Partners Connect or email pconnect@rand.org.
The remainder of this commentary is available on Military.com's SpouseBUZZ.
Karen Chan Osilla is a senior behavioral scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.
This commentary originally appeared on SpouseBUZZ on October 3, 2015, under the title, “Worried He's an Alcoholic? Use These Tools.”
Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
