Comorbid alcohol addiction increases aggression level in soldiers with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare aggressive behavior in soldiers with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), PTSD comorbid with alcohol addiction and alcohol addiction only. Three groups of male combat experienced soldiers with PTSD (n = 43), PTSD comorbid with alcohol addiction (n = 41) and alcohol addiction (n = 39) were compared by Aggression rating scale A-87. PTSD was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and Watsons PTSD rating scale. Alcohol addiction was diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria and CAGE Questionnaire. Combat-experienced soldiers with alcohol addiction as well as soldiers with combat-related PTSD comorbid with alcohol addiction have a high level of verbal latent aggression (VLA), (F = 26.65; P < 0.001), physically latent aggression (PLA), (F = 37.86; P < 0.001), indirect aggression (INA), (F = 56.94; P < 0.001), verbal manifest aggression (VMA), (F = 18.35; P < 0.001), and physically manifest aggression (PMA), (F = 43.22; P < 0.001), vs. soldiers with combat-related PTSD without comorbid conditions. Alcohol addiction is a severe factor in increasing aggression levels in soldiers with PTSD.

• Aggression
• Alcohol addiction
• Croatia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Soldiers
• War