""From that moment, I was fighting two wars - one inside myself and one with Russia," Oleksandr said, highlighting the dual struggle of addiction and combat."
""Everyone knows it exists, but few want to talk about it," said Oleh Olishevskiy, emphasizing the stigma surrounding addiction in the military."
"A 2024 study found that more than a third of soldiers used amphetamines monthly, and one in five reported using prescription drugs like pregabalin."
""I don't think we'll ever know the real numbers. No one is keeping track," Olishevskiy stated, pointing to the lack of data on addiction among soldiers."
Oleksandr, a Ukrainian soldier, relapsed into addiction after being prescribed painkillers for a shoulder injury sustained during combat. Despite seven years of sobriety, the stress of war led him to use stronger opioids. He served for two more years while hiding his addiction until he could no longer perform his duties. The psychological toll of the ongoing conflict has resulted in widespread addiction among soldiers, with a study indicating significant drug use among troops, yet the military does not track these issues.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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