Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) And Addiction

What’s The Link Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) And Addiction?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction have a strong connection that presents a challenge for people who have both conditions. PTSD is a chronic mental health condition that occurs after experiencing a traumatic event that either happens to them or that they witness. This includes experiences such as:

• Military combat
• Being in or witnessing an accident
• Having a serious injury
• Natural disasters
• Acts of terrorism
• Sexual or physical assault (childhood or adult)
• Death of a loved one
• Significant medical event for yourself or a loved one

PTSD significantly affects mental health and well-being, causing symptoms like:

• Increased anxiety
• Social withdrawal
• Emotional numbness
• Intrusive memories

These symptoms can increase the risk of substance use disorder (SUD) because many people with PTSD turn to substances as a way to cope. However, while alcohol or drugs may provide temporarily symptom relief, they also increase the risk of developing a SUD.

The relationship between PTSD and addiction goes both ways. PTSD can increase the risk of substance abuse because it temporarily relieves the symptoms of PTSD, but substance use can also worsen PTSD symptoms and make recovery harder. Substance use can increase the risk of depression and loneliness, as well as affect sleep and judgment. All of these things can worsen PTSD symptoms by increasing both the trauma response and the risk of dependence and addiction.

There are also biochemical pathways in the brain that are associated with both PTSD and addiction. Changes in stress hormones and certain neurotransmitters in the brain can increase the risk of developing addiction. These changes are one of the reasons why treating co-occurring PTSD and addiction requires someone experienced in treating dual diagnosis.

Why Do People With PTSD Develop Addiction?

PTSD and addiction are often seen together, with around 45% of people with PTSD also having a substance use disorder.

PTSD and addiction often co-occur because some people with PTSD use substances to cope with trauma-related feelings like anxiety, fear, intrusive memories, nightmares, or emotional numbness. These substances can provide temporary relief, leading some to alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs.

While the use of substances can temporarily relieve emotional pain, this relief doesn’t last. Repeated substance use for PTSD can cause dependence, which is the basis of addiction.

PTSD can cause changes in the brain, which can make it more likely for someone to develop addiction. Substance use can affect this brain chemistry and soothe PTSD symptoms, but may also affect judgment, increase impulsivity, and disrupt sleep cycles. This ultimately worsens PTSD symptoms and may also lead to further substance use and a predisposition to addiction.

Symptoms And Effects Of PTSD

PTSD develops after experiencing or being a witness to an event that is dangerous, scary, or terrifying. It can start right after the traumatizing event or can occur months to years later.

The symptoms of PTSD may be more severe depending on the seriousness of the trauma, but this is not always the case. For symptoms to be diagnosed as PTSD, they have to be present for at least a month and interfere with your life.

PTSD can have many symptoms, but it commonly includes:

• Flashbacks
• Trouble sleeping, including nightmares
• Feelings of being detached or alone
• Anhedonia (losing interest in activities you usually enjoy)
• Outbursts of anger or other extreme reactions
• Feelings of guilt, sadness, or worry
• Feeling frightened
• Difficulty concentrating
• Physical manifestations such as recurrent headaches or stomach pain
• Avoiding things that remind you of the event
• Memory concerns
• Persistent negative beliefs in yourself
• Being more irritable
• Being excessively vigilant
• Startling more easily than normal

It is common for PTSD to occur with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, as well as addiction. Trauma may be a common link for these conditions and is a known risk factor for major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, substance use disorder, psychotic disorders, and even personality disorders.

PTSD can significantly impact all aspects of your life. It can make it more difficult to work or study and negatively impact relationships. PTSD increases the risk of disability and even suicide.

PTSD has several forms. Complex PTSD often results from repeated trauma over a long period of time, while dissociative PTSD occurs with a feeling of detachment from reality. Delayed-onset PTSD doesn’t display symptoms until a minimum of six months after the traumatic event, though it may take years for symptoms to arise.

How Are PTSD And Substance Use Disorder Treated?

It’s important to address both conditions at the same time, as each can worsen the other. Co-occurring PTSD and addiction treatment requires an approach that is both comprehensive and integrated.

If you or someone you love is struggling with both PTSD and addcition, the first step is to find a treatment center that specializes in treatment for dual diagnosis. These treatment centers can address both the addiction and other mental health conditions, including PTSD.

Effective treatment of co-occurring PTSD and addiction may include both therapy and medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing are often used to help people process traumatic memories and decrease the symptoms of PTSD.

Medication may also be used to treat PTSD and addiction. Often, antidepressants are used to help treat PTSD symptoms, while other medications may be used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings from substance use.

Treatment programs that address both PTSD and addiction may also include family therapy, peer support, and group therapy to help foster connections, accountability, and understanding that can increase the success of treatment. Recovery from PTSD and addiction is an ongoing process, and strategies for relapse prevention are vital to this process.

Integrated and coordinated care helps ensure that dual diagnosis PTSD and addiction treatment is continuous and gives people the best chance of long-term recovery, as well as improving quality of life.

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People with PTSD and co-occurring addiction should seek professional treatment to help manage their conditions. If left untreated, these conditions can worsen and significantly affect a person’s life for years.

If you or someone you love is struggling with PTSD and addiction, help is available. To learn more about your dual diagnosis treatment options for anxiety disorders and addiction, visit our rehab directory or contact a treatment provider today.