2143 – Alcoholic Beverages Abuse Of War Veterans During And After The Bosnia-herzegovina 1992–1995 War

Abstract

Aim

To assess alcohol abuse severity of soldiers who suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during the Bosnia- Herzegovina 1992-1995 war.

Methods

A stratified sample was composed of 4 war veterans groups: (A- who asked for psychiatry help during the war, n = 51; B- who continued psychiatry treatment and after the war, n = 51; C- who did not ask for psychiatry help at all, n = 62; Dindustry workers who were not involved in war activities, n = 50). We used DSM IV trauma questionnaire; questionnaire for alcohol dependency self-assessment.

Results

During the war, 45.4% participants in A, 40.0% in B, 32.8% in C and 14.0% in D group, drunk alcohol more often than before war, while 20.8% of participants in A, 25.5% in B, 27.9% in C and 54.1% in D group drunk alcohol less than before war. Ten months after the war, 58.0% of participants in A, 31.6% in B, 20.0% in C and 20,0% in D group drunk alcohol more than usual, while 18.0% of veterans in A, 36.8% in B, 38.3% in C group and 37,8% workers in D group drunk alcohol less than usual. Upon departure to execute of combat missions to front lines war veterans from A group and B group drunk alcohol beverages significantly more than usual (51.7% and 40,5% respectively).

Conclusion

War veterans who bear traumatic experiences with difficulties, with more severe symptoms of PTSD were significantly more consumed alcoholic beverages during the war and the execution of combat missions.