Link Between Substance Use Disorder And PTSD

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD ) is a psychiatric disorder that stems from either experiencing or witnessing a shocking and distressing event. Examples of traumatic events include natural disasters, serious accidents, and being in a war, especially active combat.

PTSD can affect people from any background who have gone through a traumatic experience. You can even be suffering from PTSD from an indirect exposure to a disturbing event. PTSD can occur at any age and may disrupt your daily life if not diagnosed and treated early.

Doctors have found that various mental health issues such as depression and anxiety play a role in triggering such a disorder.

What Are the Symptoms Of PTSD?

1. Flashbacks or nightmares

2. Easily triggered by similar situations

3. Experiencing hopelessness

4. Trouble working or sleeping

5. Struggling to interact with people

6. A sudden feeling of fear, anger, or numbness

7. Strained personal relationships

8. Thoughts of self-harm

How is PTSD linked to Substance Use Disorder?

PTSD and Substance Use Disorder go hand in hand for many people. This is because substances appear to grant temporary relief from symptoms.

PTSD often results in self-destructive behaviour as a direct symptom. The immediate result of PTSD is disrupting the chemical balance of your brain. It can reduce the release of certain hormones that affect sleep and happiness, leading to depression, anxiety, and a constant feeling of tiredness. Hence, a patient turns to unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs or alcohol as these substances help restore hormone levels temporarily.

The risk of people with PTSD abusing substances is 3 times higher than it is in the general population. People with PTSD may feel as though they can control or cover up their thoughts, feelings, or actions only when they are under the influence of certain substances.

How to Treat PTSD and Substance Use Disorder?

There are several treatment options available for someone who has both PTSD and substance use disorder. However, treating someone with both PTSD and substance use disorder is a complicated process and is also less favourable when compared to treating a person with just one of the two conditions.

- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is a type of therapy that focuses on problematic thought processes and behaviors, is one of the most effective treatments for PTSD and substance use disorder.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy is a specific type of CBT that has been shown to be effective for both disorders.

- For people with substance use disorder and PTSD, practicing mindfulness will help them become less reactive or overwhelmed by feelings of fear that may lead to substance use.

- Medications may be given for symptoms of PTSD, and, in addition, medication-assisted treatments for substance use disorders may also be prescribed.

- Seeking Safety Program is a nonexposure-based therapy that helps patients with co-occurring substance abuse and PTSD.

- With a supervised detox program, it can give people an opportunity to detox in a safe and comfortable environment.