Abstract. The study presents the results of a ten-year retrospective analysis (2015–2024) conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Military Medical Academy – Sofia. Data were extracted from the medical records of 98 service members hospitalized for use and substance use disorders. The aim was to identify the main risk profiles for substance use in the Bulgarian Armed Forces through an analysis of demographic and personality characteristics. The results demonstrate an almost equal distribution between alcohol related (55.2%) and illicit substance use (44.8%) disorders. Within the subgroup of illicit substance users, cannabis was predominant (75%), followed by stimulants (15%) and combined use (10%). Alcohol dependence (28.7%) was the most prevalent alcohol related disorder, typically observed among non-commissioned officers and officers with long service (>15 years), characterized by introversion, dependent and sensitive-paranoid traits, and anxiety-depressive symptomatology. Stimulant use was most frequent among non-commissioned officers with approximately 10 years of service, marked by traits of extraversion, impulsivity, antisocial tendencies, and disinhibited behavior. Cannabis and combined use were concentrated among the youngest service members (<5 years of service), whose profiles reflected impulsivity, conformity, emotional immaturity, sensation-seeking, and risk-taking behaviors. This is the first study of its kind targeting the Bulgarian military population. The findings emphasize the need for larger scale research and the development of tailored prevention programs addressing substance use in the military context.

Key words: military personnel, army, alcohol, psychoactive substances, addiction

Full text here.