Drug Use During Battle, Part 1 – A Military History Crossword Puzzle – Latest Cannabis News Today

Every war is full of horror and when you look at the gruesome details of each one, you can hardly imagine how anyone survived. Unsurprisingly, there are reports of drug use in almost every conflict. In many cases throughout history, the use of mind-altering substances has been sanctioned by the government. Whether it was to calm down or pump up for a fight, drug use during battle has been documented since the Viking Age. Here is part 1 of an in-depth look at drug use in combat, military history.

alcohol

Alcohol has been part of the soldiers’ ration since the substance was invented. A versatile tool, it was an effective disinfectant, analgesic, and nerve calming agent. Have you ever heard of alcohol being referred to as ‘liquid or Dutch courage’? If so, you can thank the British Royal Navy. They coined the term as early as 1652, during the First Anglo-Dutch War.

Soldiers on the British side were given alcohol as part of their rations but didn’t have much choice. As a result of the war, malt and other import materials were scarce, but jenever could be produced locally. This is how jenever became the favorite drink of soldiers in the British Navy. Due to its blend of herbs, it was known for its calming effects on the nerves. British soldiers often drank their rations before going into battle, which earned them the nickname “Dutch or Liquid” bravery.

Government approved stimulants

Stimulants have been used in combat since their existence. During the two world wars, drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine were widely used to reduce fatigue and appetite, and to increase concentration and aggression.

During World War II, methamphetamine use was a part of military strategy by both the British and the Nazis. The increased vigilance and reduced appetite were extremely useful to troops on all sides. However, the Germans used this drug a lot more. According to reports, Germany distributed 35 million methamphetamine tablets to the Western Front from April to July 1940. Britain distributed 72 million tablets to its troops throughout the war.

Painkiller

Pain medications were needed to treat injuries, but they were used for a lot more. Opiates such as morphine were given to soldiers for a variety of reasons. In addition to providing pain relief, morphine was the answer to diarrhea, muscle spasms, and even arousal. As you can imagine, this led to a lot of addiction problems. In fact, after the American Civil War, opiate addiction was so widespread that it became known as “Soldiers’ Disease.”

Military history crossword puzzle

Listed below is a military history crossword puzzle about drug use during war and combat. Some of the questions are from the article above, but others have to wait until Wednesday. The answers are revealed in Drug Use During Battle, Part 2 – Soldier Stories. Ask yourself about this topic and stay tuned.

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Footnote (s)

https://library.medicine.yale.edu/blog/great-risk-opium-eating-how-civil-war-era-doctors-reacted-prescription-opioid-addiction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenever
https://www.historyextra.com/period/what-is-the-origin-of-the-phrase-dtch-courage/
https://www.history.com/news/inside-the-drug-use-that-fueled-nazi-germany