One in four Israelis using hard drugs amid Gaza genocide and regional wars

What Happened

According to research by the Israeli Centre for Addiction and Mental Health cited by Haaretz, harmful substance use now affects one in four Israelis, up from one in seven during the COVID-19 pandemic and one in ten beforehand. The increase has been measured since October 2023, coinciding with Israel's military campaign in Gaza and regional escalation. The centre, founded by Prof Shauli Lev-Ran, reported that sedative use has risen 2.5-fold, while opiate and stimulant consumption have nearly doubled; alcohol and cannabis use also increased. Among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, the substance misuse rate reached 54.2 percent. Dr Roy Zucker, a harm-reduction specialist, noted that over 80 percent of drug-related emergency cases involve mixed substances. Personal accounts describe Israelis using ketamine, cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, and prescription sedatives to cope with missile alerts, funerals, military mobilisation, and constant reports of death. Palestinian citizens of Israel also reported turning to drugs amid the destruction in Gaza and domestic repression.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The sharp rise in substance abuse signals a deepening mental health crisis inside Israel, driven by prolonged conflict and insecurity. It reflects the psychological impact of the Gaza war and broader regional tensions on both Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel, with potential long-term strain on health services, military readiness, and social cohesion. The normalisation of hard drug use under extreme stress could complicate post-conflict recovery.

Watch For

Monitor for Israeli Health Ministry or parliamentary responses to the addiction surge, including potential new treatment programmes or policy hearings. Also watch for further data from the Israeli Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on how substance misuse trends evolve with any changes in the intensity of the Gaza war or other fronts.