2022, Volume 28, Issue 4

THE PROBLEM OF ALCOHOLISM AMONG MILITARY PERSONNEL

EWELINA EJCHMAN-PAC¹, JUSTYNA MARSZAŁKOWSKA-JAKUBIK¹, MAGDALENA ZAWADZKA²
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¹Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology
²Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Medical University of Łódź


Autor korenspondencyjny: EWELINA EJCHMAN-PAC; Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology; email: ewelina.e.pac@wihe.pl

Streszczenie

Introduction: Alcohol is a toxic and carcinogenic substance. Excessive consumption can lead to damage to the nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems. It is also a recognized cause of seven types of cancer, including cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, larynx, breast, liver, colon, and rectum. Alcohol contributes to premature mortality and disability among individuals aged 20–39 years and is responsible for 13% of all deaths in this age group. Military personnel constitute a high-risk group for alcohol-related disorders. This increased risk stems from serving under high pressure, operating in challenging environmental conditions, and lacking access to adequate professional support. Additional factors influencing the development of alcohol dependence among soldiers include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, young age, and absence of a stable partner. The literature also highlights significant gaps in the availability of professional therapeutic care.

Objective: The aim of this article is to provide a synthetic analysis of scientific research on the prevalence of alcohol-related problems among military personnel.

Material and methods: The PubMed database was used. Keywords included: alcohol, military, soldiers. Articles published within the last 15 years were selected, limited to those available free of charge.

Conclusions: It is essential that supervisors monitor alcohol consumption among their subordinates within military bases. Effective approaches to addressing alcoholism include regular health education programs and consultations with specialists. For military healthcare systems, the main challenge lies in establishing comprehensive therapeutic services and ensuring transparent access to psychologists and psychotherapists for individuals with alcohol misuse problems.

Słowa kluczowe

alcoholism, military, stimulants