Significant Increase in Drug Use and Addictive Behavior in Israel After Hamas Attack
Following the unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Hamas movement on October 7, there has been a significant rise in drug use and addictive behaviors in Israel, according to health professionals.
“As a natural response to stress and a quest for relief, we are observing a notable increase in the use of various addictive sedatives, including prescription drugs, illegal substances, alcohol, and sometimes addictive behaviors like gambling,” said psychiatrist Shaul Lev-Ran, the founder of the Israel Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Netanya, central Israel, in an interview with AFP.
To validate this observation, his team conducted a study involving about a thousand people from various segments of the Israeli population. The study indicated “a connection between indirect exposure to the events of October 7 and a 25 percent increase in the consumption of addictive substances.”
One in four Israelis has increased their intake of addictive products, in contrast to 2022, when only one in seven Israelis faced drug use disorders.
“Escape from Reality”
In the wake of the attack and the subsequent war, half of the survivors reported an increase in their use of addictive drugs, with a 33 percent rise among the displaced, according to a study conducted in November and December.
In Israel, the use of sleeping pills and pain relievers surged by 180 percent and 70 percent, respectively.
The doctor noted that his patients have been asking for “something” to help them cope, often justifying it with statements like, “My son is fighting in Gaza; I need to sleep, or I won’t be able to go to work.”
Yoni (a pseudonym), who was called up by the army, postponed his military service as he was about to begin treatment for a drug addiction that had worsened in recent months.
“I started using drugs during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the situation has deteriorated with the war… It’s a way to escape reality,” the 19-year-old explained.
During the October 7 attack, Yoni lost his friend Nick Bezer, 19, who was buried in the military cemetery in Beersheba, southern Israel, just about 100 meters from the park where the AFP team met him, looking lost.
To combat “boredom” and “fear,” he and his friends attended techno music events such as “Nova,” the music festival frequented by thousands of young people near the Gaza Strip, where 364 individuals were killed by attackers on October 7.
“On the Brink of an Epidemic”
In the initial months, Yoni experimented with “recreational drugs like ecstasy, MDMA, and LSD,” which were “easy to obtain,” before he began using them “alone at home.”
“I recognize that I’m an addict, and I now understand that I need to go to rehab to take care of myself,” Yoni stated. He plans to serve in the military after his treatment “to prove to myself and my family that I can contribute to society.”
“Drugs help me forget,” said Matan, a soldier stationed in the Gaza Strip, during an interview with the AFP team at a bar in Jerusalem. “I know it’s not a solution, but we have to participate.”
Based on the study, Dr. Lev-Ran concluded, “It is already evident that we are on the verge of an epidemic where significant portions of the population may develop dependency on addictive substances.”
For the Palestinian population, the Palestinian Authority has indicated that there is no data on mental health and drug addiction due to a lack of resources.
Sharp Rise in Drug Use and Addictive Behavior in Israel After Hamas Attack
The Surge in Substance Use
Drug use and addictive behavior in Israel have risen sharply following the unprecedented attack launched by the Palestinian Hamas movement on October 7, 2023, according to health workers. The data reveals a troubling trend as individuals seek relief from stress and trauma linked to the events of war.
Dr. Shaul Lev-Ran, a psychiatrist and founder of the Israel Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, highlighted the gravity of the situation: In a natural reaction to stress and in search of relief, we are seeing a significant increase in the use of various addictive sedatives, whether prescription medications, illegal drugs, alcohol, and sometimes addictive behaviors such as gambling.
Key Statistics on Drug Use Post-Attack
To understand the impact of the attack on drug-related behaviors, Lev-Ran and his team conducted a comprehensive study involving approximately 1,000 participants, representative of various segments of the Israeli population. Their findings indicated a:
- 25% increase in the consumption of addictive substances among those directly or indirectly exposed to the events of October 7.
- One in four Israelis reported an increase in their use of addictive products.
- In 2022, before the attack, only one in seven Israelis suffered from drug use disorders.
Effects of Stress and Campaigning for Relief
Half of the survivors of the attack reported increasing their usage of addictive substances, with particularly alarming figures: the rate among displaced persons reached 33%.
The study further revealed dramatic increases in specific drug categories:
- Sleeping pills: Increased by 180%
- Painkillers: Increased by 70%
Lev-Ran noted that many patients cite stressors stemming from the conflict as justifications for their increased consumption, saying, My son is fighting in Gaza; I have to sleep, otherwise I won’t be able to go to work.
Case Studies and Personal Accounts
Yoni’s Journey: From War to Addiction
A poignant case is that of Yoni (not his real name), who had to postpone his military service due to drug addiction exacerbated by the war. Yoni shared, I started taking drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the war, it got worse… It’s a way to escape reality.
Tragically, Yoni lost a friend, Nick Bezer, during the October 7 attack. To cope with both grief and fear, he began attending techno parties where dangerous substances like ecstasy and LSD were easily accessible. He admitted, I know I’m an addict, and now I know I have to go to rehab to take care of myself.
Matan’s Experience: The Soldier’s Struggle
Matan, a current soldier deployed in Gaza, expressed similar feelings, stating, Drugs allow me to forget; I know it’s useless, but we have to participate.
The Risk of an Addictive Epidemic
Dr. Lev-Ran concluded with alarming foresight: It is already clear that we are on the cusp of an epidemic in which large segments of the population will become dependent on addictive substances.
With addiction rates steadily increasing, both mental health professionals and community leaders are urging for immediate action.
The Impact on Mental Health
As the Israeli population reels from the aftermath of war, the link between trauma and addiction has never been clearer. Increasing substance use leads to a vicious cycle impacting mental health. Common symptoms of addiction combined with PTSD include:
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Isolation from family and friends
- Heightened feelings of despair and hopelessness
Call for Intervention and Community Support
Immediate intervention and community-based support systems are essential to stem this rising tide of addiction. Some practical tips for communities to consider include:
Practical Tips for Addressing Addiction
- Community Education: Organize workshops to educate individuals about the risks of substance abuse.
- Access to Counseling: Increase the availability of mental health services and drug rehabilitation programs.
- Peer Support Groups: Create peer-led support groups to foster discussion and understanding of addiction.
The Mental Health Landscape in Neighboring Areas
For the Palestinian population, the situation is equally dire. The Palestinian Authority reports a staggering lack of resources for mental health and addiction services. Without ample data, addressing the growing rates of drug and alcohol abuse in the territories remains a challenge.
Conclusion
As the situation continues to evolve, the importance of addressing drug use and addictive behavior in Israel cannot be overstated. The current climate urges a collective response — combining healthcare, community support, and preventive measures to combat this emerging epidemic.
| Substance | Increase in Use (%) |
|---|---|
| Sleeping Pills | 180% |
| Painkillers | 70% |
