Substance Abuse and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in War Veterans

Little research has been done on the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its link to alcohol and substance use among combat veterans. In 1983, a congressional mandate ordered a study of PTSD and other postwar psychological problems among Vietnam veterans. Many veterans do not recognize the symptoms of PTSD and therefore are unaware that the symptoms have led to alcohol and substance use. A questionnaire was designed to examine veterans at the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore, Maryland, to determine if the veterans at the mission exhibited symptoms of PTSD. Thirty veterans were given a simple questionnaire that outlined symptoms of PTSD. Participants were to indicate whether they experienced PTSD symptoms as defined on the 25-item questionnaire. The responses were rated from 1 to 5 (1 = not at all; 2 = a little bit; 3 = moderately; 4 = quite a bit; and 5 = extremely). Based on this study, no relationship was found between PTSD and substance abuse. Further research should be conducted using a random sample to examine the possible relationship between PTSD and substance abuse.