Since October 7, Israel has been experiencing an escalation of violence in its war with Hamas in Gaza, and also on the northern border with Lebanon and Hezbollah.
In this context, a study carried out in the central city of Netanya shows an increase in the consumption of addictive substances at the national level.
Led by Shaul Lev-Ran, psychiatrist and founder of the Israeli Addiction Center, the study was carried out between November and December 2023, on a representative base of 1000 Israelis. The results show that one in four Israelis has increased their use of addictive substances since the start of the war.
Lev-Ran explained that this is no exception: the use of addictive sedative substances is a common response to emotional stress.
In this sense, the study found a connection between indirect exposure to the events of October 7 and a 25% increase in the consumption of addictive substances.
Additionally, the closer people were to the trauma of that day, the greater the risk of developing addictive behaviors. On the other hand, the use of sleeping pills and painkillers have grown by 180% and 70%, respectively.
When we are in tension or worry, prayer and meditation are urgently needed so that Jehovah God grants us the strength we need. If we allow ourselves to be defeated by the devil, who, as Jesus Christ said, depicting him as a thief, he does not destroy.