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March 18, 2022What’s The Relationship Between PTSD and Addiction?
People who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are three times more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.1 As the name suggests, PTSD stems from some form of trauma that the individual has experienced, whether that was sexual assault, a natural disaster, or even a near-death experience. It’s recommended that people with this diagnosis receive PTSD treatment to best manage their symptoms and avoid harmful coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol. Today, we share the relationship between PTSD and addiction to spread awareness and available treatment options.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that’s caused by either witnessing or experiencing a terrifying event. Most people who go through traumatic events may temporarily struggle to adjust and cope with the emotional and sometimes physical aftermath of the experience but eventually get better in time. However, in cases where the person’s symptoms get worse, last for months or years, and interfere with their day-to-day functioning, they might have PTSD.
PTSD can result from experiencing or witnessing traumatic events like:
- Combat exposure
- Sexual assault or rape
- Childhood abuse
- Physical assault
- Natural disaster
- Being threatened with a weapon
- An accident, such as a car accident
- The loss of a loved one, especially in a traumatic event
- Witnessing a death
Many other traumatic events can also lead to PTSD, such as fire, mugging, robbery, plane crash, torture, kidnapping, life-threatening medical diagnosis, terrorist attack, and more. As a result of these events, a person may develop symptoms like:
- Recurrent and unwanted memories of the event
- Flashbacks of the event
- Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the event
- Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to reminders of the event
- Avoidance of conversations or people that remind you of the event
- Negative thoughts about yourself, others, or the world
- Hopelessness in the future
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Emotional detachment from loved ones
- Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Trouble concentrating and sleeping
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
As the person progresses through the stages of PTSD, symptoms can vary and intensify over time. Symptoms may worsen, especially during moments of stress or anxiety, or generally when the person comes across a reminder of the event. If you or a loved one shows any of these signs, reach out to us to find out how our PHP mental health program can help.
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Relationship Between Drug Addiction and PTSD
Self-destructive behavior like substance abuse is also a common symptom of PTSD. Substance use disorders and PTSD often feed off each other not only because they both impact chemical balance in the brain but also because the former is used as a coping mechanism for the latter.
Following a traumatic experience, the brain’s chemical balance is impacted, and it produces fewer endorphins. These are some of the chemicals that make us feel happy. To improve their symptoms and combat depressed mood, some people with PTSD might turn to substances of abuse that impact chemicals like endorphins and dopamine.
Drugs that boost dopamine levels and improve mood or produce euphoria and sedation include prescription opioids, heroin, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and more. Benzos, barbiturates, and other prescription drugs might also be abused for their numbing side effects. Unfortunately, while drugs and alcohol provide temporary relief from PTSD symptoms, they have long-lasting, negative side effects that outweigh any “benefits.”
In cases of drug or alcohol addiction and PTSD, the person may eventually suffer from two different disorders simultaneously, otherwise referred to as co-occurring disorders or a dual diagnosis. At this point, not only might drugs serve as a physical boost for mood, but the person might also develop an emotional attachment to these substances in which they feel like they need them to feel “normal” or happy.
Co-occurring PTSD and substance abuse is common. Research shows that 46.4% of people with PTSD also met the criteria for substance use disorder.2 In another national study, 27.9% of women and 51.9% of men with PTSD also had drug addictions.3 Substance abuse is also connected to disorders, like depression and anxiety, as a way of coping with symptoms.
People who seek residential mental health programs for PTSD are also 14 times more likely to be diagnosed with substance use disorders, with attempts at self-medication being a likely cause for co-occurring PTSD and alcohol abuse or drug abuse. Co-occurring disorders like PTSD and addiction are also common among veterans and active-duty service members.
If someone is abusing drugs, they may show some of the following symptoms:
- Being defensive or argumentative when confronted about their drug or alcohol use
- Changes in spending habits or financial problems due to substance abuse
- Noticeable mood swings and changes in behavior
- Isolation from loved ones
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Lack of motivation
- Depressed mood
- Poor performance at work, home, or school
- Changes in skin tone or bloodshot eyes
The Potential Risks of Ignoring Alcohol Dependency While Treating PTSD
When addressing PTSD without tackling alcohol dependency, several significant risks arise. Firstly, untreated alcohol abuse can severely impede the effectiveness of PTSD treatment. This is because alcohol can numb emotions and memories, making it harder for therapy to achieve breakthroughs.
Moreover, the withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can actually exacerbate PTSD symptoms. This can lead to an intensification of anxiety, flashbacks, and insomnia, creating a vicious cycle that hinders recovery on both fronts.
Ignoring alcohol dependency can also mean missed opportunities for comprehensive healing. When both issues are not treated simultaneously, the chances of long-term recovery diminish, as the interlinked nature of these conditions means that one can easily trigger a relapse in the other.
In summary, the key risks include reduced treatment effectiveness, worsened PTSD symptoms due to withdrawal, and a significantly lower chance of sustained recovery. Addressing both issues together is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome.
How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep in Individuals with PTSD?
Individuals with PTSD often turn to alcohol as a way to fall asleep and reduce nightmares. Unfortunately, this coping mechanism comes with significant downsides.
Firstly, alcohol interferes with the body's natural sleep cycle, particularly by reducing the amount of deep sleep one gets. Deep sleep is crucial for feeling rested and emotionally balanced. When deep sleep is compromised, a person wakes up feeling unrefreshed.
In addition, regular use of alcohol can lead to tolerance, meaning more alcohol is needed over time to achieve the same sleep-inducing effect. This can result in withdrawal symptoms that occur during the night, further disrupting sleep.
The consequences of poor-quality sleep are far-reaching. People may experience heightened irritability and anxiety, slower cognitive functions, and memory issues. The lack of restorative sleep makes it harder for individuals to think clearly and perform daily activities efficiently, increasing the likelihood of mistakes and erratic behavior.
In summary, while alcohol might seem like a quick fix for sleep issues in those with PTSD, its long-term effects can significantly impair both emotional wellbeing and day-to-day functioning.
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How Can Lack Of Quality Sleep From Alcohol Consumption Influence PTSD Symptoms?
Quality sleep is critical for managing PTSD symptoms, but alcohol can interfere with this process. While some individuals may use alcohol to help them fall asleep and stave off nightmares, it ultimately disrupts the deep sleep cycle. As a result, they may find themselves waking up frequently throughout the night, especially if a tolerance has built up.
The absence of restorative sleep significantly affects someone's emotional stability and cognitive functions. People may become more irritable and anxious, experiencing mood swings that make day-to-day interactions challenging. This diminished sleep quality can also impair memory and concentration, leading to forgetfulness and slower thinking.
In summary, alcohol-induced poor sleep can exacerbate PTSD symptoms by worsening emotional and cognitive health, creating a detrimental cycle that impacts overall well-being.
PTSD and Addiction Treatment
If you or someone you care about wants to learn more about treatment of PTSD and substance abuse comorbidity, our mental health program in Boca can help. Banyan offers dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders of all kinds. Our specialists utilize evidence-based therapy programs like CBT and DBT to help patients recover from the trauma linked to their conditions and to teach them how to manage their symptoms.
For more information about our mental illness treatment in Boca Raton, FL, call Banyan Treatment Center today at 888-280-4763.
Sources:
- NCBI - Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among patients with substance use disorder: it is higher than clinicians think it is
- NCBI - Prevalence and Axis I Comorbidity of Full and Partial Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in the United States: Results from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions
- NIH - Post-traumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey
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