Although the Persian Gulf War was brief, its impact was no less traumatic than other wars, and many veterans of this war developed substance use problems as a result of struggling with PTSD symptoms.
PTSD in Persian Gulf War Veterans
Studies examining the mental health of Persian Gulf War veterans have found that rates of PTSD stemming from this war range anywhere from about 9% to approximately 24%. These rates are higher than what has been found among veterans not deployed to the Persian Gulf. These rates are fairly consistent with the rates of PTSD found among Vietnam veterans and Iraq War veterans. Similar to other people with PTSD, Persian Gulf War veterans have been found to be at risk for developing problems with alcohol and drugs. Why is there such a strong connection between PTSD and substance use problems?
PTSD and Substance Use Problems
People with PTSD are commonly found to have problems with drugs and/or alcohol. In fact, among people who have had PTSD, approximately 31% have also abused or been dependent on drugs at some point in their lifetime. Approximately 40% have also abused or been dependent on alcohol. Why is this the case?
It is thought that, among people with PTSD or who have experienced stressful life events, the use of alcohol or drugs may be due to desires to escape or alleviate the uncomfortable feelings that go along with PTSD. In other words, alcohol or drugs may be used to self-medicate distressing thoughts or feelings that arise from having PTSD or depression or the experience of a stressful life event. This is no different for Persian Gulf War veterans.
Self-Medication in Persian Gulf War Veterans
A group of researchers at Boston University and the National Center for PTSD in the VA Boston Healthcare System looked at the relationship between PTSD symptoms and alcohol and drug use among Persian Gulf War veterans in the 6 years following their return from the war.
They found that the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD in particular was connected to the development of more severe drug use. Drug use may have been used to quickly bring down the severe anxiety, arousal, and anger that is often experienced as part of the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD. Drug use may have also been used to cope with sleep problems that are part of the hyperarousal symptoms of PTSD.
Getting the Help You Need
The self-medication of PTSD through alcohol and drugs has been found in both civilian and military populations. No matter who you are or how you developed PTSD, the symptoms of PTSD are incredibly distressing and can put you at risk for seeking out immediate relief (even it puts you at risk for the negative consequences associated with drug and alcohol abuse).
However, there are more effective, healthy, and long-lasting ways of coping with PTSD symptoms. In addition, getting treatment for the symptoms of PTSD may also reduce desires for alcohol and drug abuse. There are a number of treatment options for someone with PTSD, some of which were developed specifically for people with PTSD and substance use problems. You can find out more information about treatment providers in your area who might offer some of these treatments through UCompare HealthCare from About.com, as well as the Anxiety Disorder Association of America.
Sources:
Gray, G.C., Kaiser, K.S., Hawksworth, A.W., Hall, F.W., & Barrett-Connor, E. (1999). Increased postwar symptoms and psychological morbidity among US Navy Gulf War veterans. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 60, 758-766. Perconte, S.T., Wilson, A.T., Pontius, E.B., Dietrick, A.L., & Spiro, K.J. (1993). Psychological and war stress symptoms among deployed and non-deployed reservists following the Persian Gulf War. Military Medicine, 158, 516-521. Shipherd, J.C., Stafford, J., & Tanner, L.R. (2005). Predicting alcohol and drug abuse in Persian Gulf War veterans: What role do PTSD symptoms play? Addictive Behaviors, 30, 595-599. Stewart, S.H., Conrod, P.J., Pihl, R.O., & Dongier, M. (1999). Relations between posttraumatic stress symptom dimensions and substance dependence in a community-recruited sample of substance-abusing women. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 13, 78-88. Stimpson, N.J., Thomas, H.V., Weightman, A.L., Dunstan, F., & Lewis, G. (2003). Psychiatric disorder in veterans of the Persian Gulf War of 1991. British Journal of Psychiatry, 182, 391-403. Stretch, R.H., Marlowe, D.H., Wright, K.M., Bliese, P.D., Knudson, K.H., & Hoover, C.H. (1996). Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among Gulf War veterans. Military Medicine, 161, 407-410. Unwin, C., Blatchley, N., Coker, W., Ferry, S., Hotopf, M., Hull, L. et al. (1999). Health of UK servicemen who served in Persian Gulf War. Lancet, 353, 169-178.
