Israeli Society Grapples with Surge in Drug, Alcohol, and Sedative Use Amid Gaza Conflict
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz has acknowledged a significant rise in the use of drugs, alcohol, and sedatives among Israelis following the initiation of the operation in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. This observation stems from a study conducted by an Israeli research center.
The report indicates that one in every four Israelis is now suffering from abnormal consumption of drugs or alcohol, a stark contrast to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic rate of one in ten.
Furthermore, the study highlights that the use of sedatives has escalated by 2.5 times, while drug consumption has nearly doubled. There has also been a substantial increase in the consumption of alcohol and marijuana.
The research points to a concerning trend where over 54% of individuals experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resort to drug or alcohol use, underscoring the severity of the mental health crisis within Israeli society.
Quoting Israeli users, the newspaper reported that drugs and sedatives have become common coping mechanisms to deal with air raid sirens, funeral processions, military summons, and casualty reports from the ongoing conflict.
Reports have also emerged of some Israelis consuming ketamine before entering shelters during bombing raids. This phenomenon, the report notes, is no longer confined to nightclubs but has spread to homes, workplaces, and even public shelters.
