Prevention of Addictive Behavior in Military Personnel under Conditions of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The article examines post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as one of the most widespread psychological responses to combat trauma among military personnel actively engaged in warfare. Special attention is devoted to the comorbidity of PTSD with various forms of addictive behavior, particularly alcohol abuse. PTSD is conceptualized as a reaction to extreme stress events, often accompanied by a wide range of somatic, emotional, and cognitive-behavioral disturbances, such as sleep disorders, heightened anxiety, depression, emotional detachment, aggressiveness, and impulsivity. In the absence of timely psychological support, these symptoms may become chronic, leading to the adoption of maladaptive coping strategies – especially the consumption of alcohol to relieve inner tension. The study identifies a number of interconnected factors that increase the risk of alcohol abuse among military personnel with PTSD, including age, duration of military service, presence of combat injuries, sleep disturbances, marital status, unit type, and military rank. The findings reveal the complex and multi-layered nature of the relationship between PTSD and the development of addictive behaviors. The study emphasizes the need for a differentiated, individualized approach to psychological prevention and support. Promising areas for future research include the long-term tracking of PTSD progression and related dependencies, the development of personalized psychological recovery models, and the evaluation of intervention effectiveness based on service experience, age, type of duty, and the level of available social support.