It’s not uncommon for people struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. A particularly risky practice is self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. This can result in a substance use disorder. PTSD and addiction often go hand in hand when a person uses prescription or recreational drugs or alcohol to alleviate PTSD symptoms.
These co-occurring disorders worsen each other and can create a never-ending cycle that’s difficult to break. Learn more about the relationship between PTSD and drug addiction and how treating both conditions together helps.
Understanding PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition many develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Although more common among military veterans, anyone exposed to traumatic incidents can develop PTSD. According to Statista, 32% of people who’ve been physically assaulted develop PTSD, as do nearly 50% of all rape victims.
PTSD-related symptoms include:
- Flashbacks, where the person feels as if they’re experiencing the traumatic event again
- Nightmares related to the trauma
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depression, anxiety or agitation
- Trouble concentrating
- Angry outbursts
- Negative thoughts and feelings of guilt
- Avoiding places, people or situations that trigger unpleasant memories
- Difficulty remembering key things about the traumatic event
Although many people who experience traumatic events don’t develop PTSD, an estimated 5% of U.S. adults struggle with this condition every year. Additionally, women are more prone to developing PTSD than men, especially if they’ve been sexually assaulted.
How PTSD and Drug Addiction Often Co-Occur
Substance abuse commonly co-occurs with mental health disorders, including PTSD, depression and anxiety. Research suggests there’s a strong overlap between people with PTSD and substance use disorders, as both cause similar changes in brain chemistry.
After a person experiences serious trauma, their ability to function normally is overwhelmed. Following this experience, the brain initially produces more endorphins — the chemical responsible for boosting happiness and alleviating pain or stress. Subsequently, as endorphin levels drop, there may be withdrawal symptoms and feelings of emotional distress.
This distress can cause individuals to turn to drugs or alcohol due to their mood-enhancing effects and ability to increase endorphin levels. Unfortunately, the relief is short-lived, and the body naturally craves more alcohol or drugs.
Drugs most abused by people with PTSD include:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Prescription painkillers
Many cases of PTSD aren’t properly diagnosed, and people with PTSD often have low self-esteem and feelings of guilt. PTSD can also have a lasting emotional and physical impact.
Research by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that people with substance abuse issues are at a heightened risk of experiencing further traumatic events. Also, people who’ve experienced trauma are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, which can produce more traumatic events, resulting in increased substance use. An Australian study of young people with PTSD showed that the risk of substance use disorder increased by 21% for each additional traumatic event.
The Importance of Addressing Both Conditions Simultaneously
It’s important to treat PTSD and substance abuse problems simultaneously. If this approach isn’t followed, treatment is less successful and the likelihood of a relapse is high.
The mindset behind PTSD and drug addiction is that these substances reduce the emotional pain, anxiety, fear and shame caused by PTSD. Although drugs and alcohol can provide temporary relief, they have many long-lasting negative side effects that outweigh any benefits. Prolonged drug abuse results in a physical and emotional dependency on drugs or alcohol. This dependency creates the false belief that continued use will produce feelings of normality or happiness.
Substance abuse makes it more difficult to concentrate, sleep restfully and cope with the memories of the trauma that led to PTSD. These difficulties can result in a vicious cycle where PTSD and substance addiction feed on each other, resulting in a downward spiral.
Additionally, continued self-medication using drugs or alcohol exacerbates PTSD symptoms, including:
- Emotional numbing
- Social isolation
- Depression
- Anger or irritability
- Hypervigilance
This interaction between PTSD and substance abuse is the fundamental reason it’s important to address both conditions at the same time.
Treatment Approaches for Dual Diagnosis
Since addiction and PTSD symptoms overlap and influence each other, using an integrated treatment approach that addresses both conditions at the same time is the most effective way to help people heal and move on.
This type of treatment is more effective when conducted within a rehabilitation facility rather than an outpatient basis. The first phase of the treatment focuses on detoxification (drug withdrawal) combined with psychotherapy. Treatment includes the use of medications to reduce the physical and mental symptoms associated with PTSD and substance abuse. The therapist may also prescribe various types of holistic therapies to develop coping skills.
Psychotherapy
Evidence-based psychotherapy interventions are used for treating PTSD. These include prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Prolonged exposure therapy usually lasts for 3 months. During exposure therapy sessions, the therapist helps you revisit the trauma in a safe environment. This form of therapy helps you confront your fears and emotions and helps deal with triggers that stimulate a fearful reaction.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly used to help those with PTSD process and cope with painful memories. It focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns to help you respond to unpleasant or stressful situations in a healthier way.
Medication
Medications are generally prescribed alongside psychotherapy to reduce mental health symptoms, drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Reducing these physical symptoms can allow you to concentrate more fully on the psychological aspect of your co-occurring disorders and determine how they affect each other.
Holistic Therapies
These include therapies such as physical exercise, music and art. Physical activity releases endorphins, which can boost your mood and soothe unpleasant symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger and irritation. Music and art can help you develop healthier coping skills to use when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, reducing the risk of relapse after treatment.
Signs Someone With PTSD Is Using Drugs
If you’re worried a friend or family member has PTSD and is abusing drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication, here are several signs to look for:
- A significant increase in the amount of alcohol consumed
- The distinctive smell of marijuana or other drugs
- The use of deodorizers to hide drug smells
- Stashes of alcohol or drug paraphernalia
- Decreased appetite or weight loss
- A lack of motivation
- Bloodshot eyes or skin tone changes
- Getting argumentative or defensive when confronted about substance use
- Noticeable mood swings or behavior changes
- Financial issues from buying drugs and alcohol
Breaking the Cycle of Trauma and Substance Abuse
The cycle of PTSD and drug abuse can be challenging, but it’s not impossible to break. It can create major problems in everyday life, including relationship issues and poor work or school performance. These combined factors can prolong the healing process, making it even more difficult to process and move on from the trauma.
People with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders are also more likely to develop other psychological problems. Many individuals struggle with anxiety disorders, mood disorders or disruptive behavior disorders like ADHD and antisocial personality disorders. These factors can make it harder to overcome substance abuse, which is why you need specialized care that treats these conditions simultaneously.
Seek Professional Help Today
Dealing with PTSD or addiction on your own is difficult. While you may be tempted to feel nothing will help, this isn’t the case. PTSD and substance use disorders can be treated, even when they occur together. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, and with the right care, it’s possible to work through your trauma, stop taking drugs or alcohol and start to live a normal life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD and SUD, Restore Mental Health is here to help. Our dual-diagnosis treatment program can help you process your trauma and addiction and develop healthy coping skills to sustain recovery. We can create a personalized treatment program that will help you overcome PTSD and substance abuse at the same time.
Contact us today to speak with an admissions specialist and get the help you need.
