Predicting alcohol and drug abuse in Persian Gulf War veterans: what role do PTSD symptoms play?

This study is a prospective longitudinal examination of symptoms of drug and alcohol use (SUD) and PTSD symptoms in 1006 veterans in the 6 years (T3) following return from the Persian Gulf War (PGW). Both alcohol and drug use at T3 were significantly correlated with demographic variables and all three types of PTSD symptoms (reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal) as measured at T2. Hierarchical regressions were conducted to examine the self-medication hypothesis, which was supported for drug use but not for alcohol use at T3.