Risk factors and predictors of use, harmful use and dependence to psychoactive substances in military servants
Bulgarian Medical Journal, 2025, 19(4), 47-54.
Y. Marinova1, G. Semovski2
1Clinic “Psychiatry”, Military Medical Academy – Sofia
2Department of “Disaster Medicine”, Military Medical Academy – Sofia
Abstract. One of the greatest global crises of our time is related to the consequences of the spread and use of psychoactive substances. In an era marked by numerous local military conflicts and global unrest, substance use among military personnel has emerged as a highly relevant and significant public concern. The risk of pathological substance use within the armed forces is a dynamic variable, shaped by the complex interaction of multiple factors of diverse nature. For the purposes of this scientific review, an in-depth literature search was conducted using global academic databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering the period from 1980 to 2025. Data were collected from retrospective and longitudinal studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scientific monographs, and publications related to the subject. The predictive factors can be grouped into several main categories. Based on their relation to military service, they may be classified as: (1) pre-service factors, (2) factors associated with active military duty, and (3) post-service factors. Certain demographic and personality factors have also demonstrated their significance over time in determining the risk of pathological substance use. Currently, there is a lack of specialized research focusing on the Bulgarian military population. Identifying and understanding the predictors of substance use among military personnel is of critical importance for the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies tailored to the individual’s personality and professional profile.
Key words: military, risk factors, psychoactive substances, alcohol, addiction
Address for correspondence: Yoana Marinova, е-mail: joanna.marinova@icloud.com