Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction
Post traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD is considered to be one of the most debilitating mental disorders. This is because it creates a feeling of loss of control in the individual. This loss of control causes people with PTSD to turn to drugs or alcohol. People use these substances to help numb the pain, relieve stress, or in an attempt to gain control of their life. The more that the person uses, the more of a chance they will have at developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol, while at the same time battling PTSD. A recent study shows that post traumatic stress disorder may be more common in people with a drug or alcohol addiction than was previously thought.What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post traumatic stress disorder refers to the mental condition in which an individual experiences a tremendous amount of stress or anxiety after witnessing or being engaged in a traumatic event. A person develops PTSD because they were unable to psychologically handle the event.PTSD develops differently from person to person. While the symptoms of PTSD most commonly develop in the hours or days following the traumatic event, it can sometimes take weeks, months, or even years before they appear.
Events that can lead to PTSD may include; sexual assault, death of a loved one, military combat, violent assault, natural disasters, etc.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Often Times Lead to Substance Abuse
Medical experts suggests that PTSD is a chemical disorder in the brain and body. When a person experiences a traumatic event, their brain creates a large amount of endorphins as a way of coping with the stress of the situation. When the event is over, the person's body goes through an "endorphin withdrawal". This withdrawal is similar to the some of the symptoms of a drug or alcohol withdrawal. The feelings that are brought on from the endorphin withdrawal can cause a person to use drugs or alcohol as a way of replacing their feelings with numbness.Once a person has post traumatic stress disorder and begins to self medicate using cocaine, heroin, alcohol, prescription medications, or other drugs, they may feel like their symptoms decrease. The person may feel calm, happy, and may be able to sleep. Once the drugs wear off, the PTSD symptoms return, sometimes even worse than before. The person will continue to use, and eventually will build up a tolerance; meaning, they will require more of the drug to get the same effect. Eventually the person suffering from PTSD will develop and addiction.
Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, mental breakdowns, angry outbursts, severe anxiety, fear, memory loss, irritability, poor concentrations, and avoidance of anything related to the event. These symptoms can strike the person at anytime, especially when they are reminded of the event.A Center for Addiction Recovery specializes in treating a wide variety of addictions and co-occurring disorders, for more information on how to get you or your loved one help, e-mail us call us toll- free:
