TY - JOUR
T1 - PTSD and Psychoactive Substance Use Among Israeli Veterans
T2 - The Phenomenon and Contributing Factors
AU - Teichman, Meir
AU - Cohen, Ety
PY - 2012/4
Y1 - 2012/4
N2 - This study explores the relationships between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the use and abuse of psychoactive substances among Israeli veterans of different campaigns who were diagnosed with severe and chronic PTSD (N = 201). Main findings include: (a) Prevalence of substance use and abuse among these veterans was significantly higher than in the general Israeli adult male population; (b) Substance use and misuse among the respondents was related to the intensity of their posttraumatic symptoms, levels of anxiety and depression, and low levels of resilience. Significant relationships were found among substance use, PTSD, and participation in combat casualty evacuation; and (c) Misuse of medications was the most common form of substance abuse and was significantly related to the intensity of PTSD symptoms. The role of social workers working with PTSD patients is discussed.
AB - This study explores the relationships between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the use and abuse of psychoactive substances among Israeli veterans of different campaigns who were diagnosed with severe and chronic PTSD (N = 201). Main findings include: (a) Prevalence of substance use and abuse among these veterans was significantly higher than in the general Israeli adult male population; (b) Substance use and misuse among the respondents was related to the intensity of their posttraumatic symptoms, levels of anxiety and depression, and low levels of resilience. Significant relationships were found among substance use, PTSD, and participation in combat casualty evacuation; and (c) Misuse of medications was the most common form of substance abuse and was significantly related to the intensity of PTSD symptoms. The role of social workers working with PTSD patients is discussed.
KW - Israeli veterans
KW - PTSD
KW - combat casualty evacuation
KW - medication misuse
KW - self-medication
KW - substance use
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84861972869&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/1533256X.2012.675270
DO - 10.1080/1533256X.2012.675270
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AN - SCOPUS:84861972869
SN - 1533-256X
VL - 12
SP - 163
EP - 177
JO - Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions
JF - Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions
IS - 2
ER -
