Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a life-changing mental health condition that could impact anyone at any time during their life. It occurs when some type of traumatic, highly stressful event occurs and the brain does not process it properly, allowing for that memory to come back and create a terrifying and sometimes ongoing crisis.
For many, the symptoms of PTSD are intense, and the use of alcohol or other drugs may seem to offer some level of relief. That is why PTSD can lead to substance use disorder (SUD). Let’s explain.
What Is a Traumatic Experience?
A traumatic experience is a shocking, dangerous, or otherwise frightening experience. It may be related to acts of violence, such as assault or abuse. Mass shootings, watching a family member suffer abuse, or seeing someone die can create intense stress.
Traumatic situations can trigger emotional responses over time, even years after the event occurred. These triggers can be so intense that they affect a person’s ability to manage daily life. A sound, smell, or person may trigger that memory to come racing back, causing the same intense and debilitating emotions to be felt again.
A high number of people diagnosed with PTSD also suffer from SUD. As noted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “People with a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse have, respectively, a 74% and 73% greater risk of developing a substance use disorder in their lifetime than other people.”
How PTSD Leads to SUD
A person with PTSD faces an ongoing battle with the event or experience they had. During the course of daily life, it is very common for these traumatic events to “show up,” maybe as a flashback to what occurred or an intense memory that makes it feel very real again. This triggers physical responses from the body, such as a racing heart and difficulty catching your breath. You may feel ashamed, angry, or anxious as those memories come back.
When this happens, many people seek help for their intense feelings. Alcohol, for example, is a type of depressant. It slows down the thought processes of the brain and may contribute to the calming of other systems. For a person facing a PTSD attack, alcohol becomes a desirable, sought-after solution.
SUDs Develop with Consistency
Many people develop an SUD because they are consistently using a substance. If you have untreated PTSD, you may turn to substances on a frequent basis as a way to get some relief. The more that occurs, the higher the risk is for developing an SUD.
Because substances provide a way to temporarily cope with the stress and anxiety you feel during PTSD, they may seem like attractive solutions. Yet drugs and alcohol also change the function of the brain. With consistent use of them, it is very common for a person to experience cravings as the brain seeks out that substance over and over again.
The Science of SUD and PTSD
Research shows that traumatic stress causes brain function and behavior to change. This is very common in children who experience early-life traumatic events, such as abuse or neglect. They are at greater risk of developing an SUD later in life as a result.
Why does that happen? Stress that is either severe or chronic will change the brain circuits specifically related to the reward or pleasure center of the brain. As you use alcohol or other drugs to deal with PTSD, those circuits calm, and the PTSD fades a bit. This is attractive to the brain, leading to the need to seek out that substance continuously to get relief.
PTSD and SUD Can Be Treated
Treating both SUD and PTSD at the same time can offer relief. It can change the course of your life by providing you with:
- A way to overcome the trauma that impacted you for so long
- A solution for breaking the dependency on substances
The combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, a supportive, understanding environment, and dual diagnosis treatment enables your brain to heal from the damage occurring.
Let the Ranch at Dove Tree Help You
If you are dealing with painful PTSD symptoms and struggling with the onset of SUD, reach out to The Ranch at Dove Tree for immediate guidance. Let our team offer a variety of treatment options that allow you to regain the control you desire and deserve. Contact us now to learn more.
