Many of Iraq and Afghanistan British war veterans, who were deployed for a prolonged period of time, have become alcoholics,

suffer from mental problems and family breakups, reveals a new study cited by the Guardian on Friday, August 3.

"A significant association was found between duration of deployment and severe alcohol problems," said the study by the Kings College London military health center.

The study found that nearly a quarter of troops deployed for longer than 13 months had severe alcohol problems.

Alcohol problems were less severe among those who served less than five months.

Britain has around 5,500 troops in Iraq and over 6,000 troops in Afghanistan, a figure which will rise to 7,700 this year.

The number of British soldiers deserting military service over the US-led occupation of Iraq has been on the rise with more than 1,000 personnel went absent without leave and failed to return since the beginning of the Iraq war in 2003, according to 2006 estimates.

Uncertain Return

The study, which surveyed 5,547 veterans, found that uncertainty about when troops would return home was linked to mental distress among the UK veterans.

"We asked about problems with partners, children, financial problems and whether their families were receiving enough support," said Nicola Fear, one of the researchers.

"Being deployed for 13 months or more was associated with significantly higher problems at home. It could be that people aren't home long enough to adjust from military to family life."

The study said a clear and explicit policy on the duration of each deployment of armed forces personnel may reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.

It said that 5.2 percent of soldiers deployed for over 13 months suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder compared to only three percent of those who served less than five months.

According to Combat Stress, the British military charity dedicated to helping soldiers suffering psychological problems, the seemingly indefinite struggle in Iraq has created the greatest crisis of morale among British troops for decades.

A recent US study revealed that US troops returning from Iraq have the highest rate of mental health consultation and psychological problems compared to other troops returning from other trouble spots.

One third of US troops returning from Iraq have needed at least one mental health consultation and one in five has been diagnosed with combat-induced psychological problems.

Illegal War 

The study has sparked calls for bringing the British troops back home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Our armed forces are suffering the consequences of massive overseas commitments caused in no small part by the illegal war in Iraq," said Nick Harvey, the Liberal Democrat Defense spokesman.

Without a UN mandate, the US and Britain invaded Iraq in 2003 on claims of possessing weapons of mass destruction, a claim never proved true.

The opposition Conservative Party also blasted the government for overstretching the army in the two conflicts.

"The government's failure to share the burden of operations with our allies is adding to the pressures," said shadow defense secretary Liam Fox.

"Harmony guidelines that are meant to allow troops to rest and recuperate are habitually breached, leaving our troops feeling used and abused by the government."

UK Army Chief General Sir Richard Dannatt has said in a declassified memo that the British engagement in "enduring" conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan has left the country's Armed Forces unprepared for emergencies at home like possible terrorist attacks.

AMSI Net- Islam Online

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