Why does Ted Lavender take tranquilizers?

Ted Lavender takes tranquilizers to cope with the intense stress and fear he experiences as a soldier in the Vietnam War. The drugs help him manage anxiety and find temporary relief from the horrors of combat. His reliance on tranquilizers highlights the psychological toll of war and the struggle to maintain composure in a chaotic environment. Ultimately, it underscores the broader themes of trauma and the coping mechanisms soldiers adopt to survive.