health
‘I was fighting two wars’: Ukraine’s soldiers confront their addiction struggles
Troops frequently use substances to help cope with untreated PTSD and anxiety, producing a negative spiral
TL;DR
- Ukrainian soldiers are fighting addiction exacerbated by the stress and trauma of the war with Russia.
- Many soldiers use drugs to cope with untreated PTSD, anxiety, and intrusive memories from combat.
- Oleh Olishevskiy runs a specialized rehabilitation clinic in Kyiv treating addiction alongside psychological trauma.
- The scale of drug use among troops is hard to measure due to lack of disclosure and stigma.
- A 2024 study found over a third of soldiers used amphetamines monthly, with significant use of prescription drugs, cathinones, and opioids.
- Rehab aims to help soldiers return to the army, but the need for care outstrips available treatment.
- Attitudes are shifting, with more commanders understanding and sending soldiers for treatment, though stigma persists.
- Drug use often worsens away from the front lines when soldiers struggle to unwind and process trauma.
- Drugs are relatively easy to obtain through postal services or shared stashes via messaging apps.
- Manpower shortages sometimes lead to soldiers being returned to service before complete recovery.
- Some mobilization officers allow prospective soldiers with existing drug use to serve.
- Former addicts and servicemen are working as counsellors, viewing addiction and war trauma as inseparable.