Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental health problem that can develop following a traumatic event. Those with PTSD typically struggle with intense emotions, flashbacks, anxiety and difficulty managing everyday life. One issue that is often overlooked is the heavy association between PTSD and illicit substance use.

Some people with PTSD will self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to dull the pain. Although this may initially feel better, it can cause you to have issues in the future and slow down how quickly your body heals. Explanation of this relationship is important for such searching for optimal mental health.

How PTSD Develops

PTSD may occur following a one-time event like an accident, violence, or natural disaster, or after enduring ongoing abuse or witnessing violence (such as military combat). There’s no age too young or old for anyone to feel vulnerable. Symptoms can include:

• Nightmares or flashbacks
• Avoiding persons or places that recall the traumatic event
• Feeling jittery or edgy or startled easily
• Unpleasant mood and negative mood and thinking changes

These can be severe and can last for months or even years if not treated properly. The saddest part is when people feel too distraught and just want to "solve the issue" of their mood by taking drugs.

PTSD and Substance Abuse: Here’s Why People Abuse Substances After PTSD

When you have PTSD, it feels like you’re trapped by your emotions. They may also be afraid to sleep, rest, or just to feel safe. And so, some self-medicate with alcohol or prescription or illegal drugs to escape their suffering. This is called "self-medicating."

Here is why the two conditions are often linked:

• Escaping Pain: Drugs can be a temporary means of numbing emotions or escapading from them. But these temporary assuagements often lead to dependence.
• Brain Chemistry: PTSD and use of substances both impact brain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin. Recovery can be hindered when doing drugs or drinking alcohol.
• Isolation: Those who suffer from PTSD often become isolated from friends and family. The isolation can result in a rise in substance use as a means of coping.
• Drug and alcohol abuse, however, generally exacerbates symptoms of PTSD overtime, and in some cases, can spiral into addiction, legal ramifications or negative health outcomes.

Identifying the Presence of Two Conditions

When an individual has both PTSD and substance abuse, it’s referred to as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. These people often require a plan that tackles both problems in tandem.

Symptoms of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders can look like:

• Inability to cope with emotions or mood changes.
• Taking a drink or some pills to relax or sleep
• Missing work or school for emotional reasons or substance use
• Problems with relationships

It can also happen in children and teenagers. When you suspect that a young family member might be exhibiting the symptoms of OCD, working with a team of child psychiatrists in Cleveland OH can allow you to get a clear diagnosis and start treating their disorder.

Treatment Options

The good news is that treatment for PTSD and substance abuse exists — and it’s effective. Therapy plus medication plus support groups can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Therapy

There are a couple of tested ways of helping people process through trauma and reduce their emotional triggers and those are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Medication

Physicians may recommend medications to help manage anxiety, depression or sleep problems associated with PTSD. When taken in conjunction with therapy, these drugs can help people achieve long-term recovery.

Integrated Care

PTS is also treated in integrated care with substance abuse. This might be group therapy, individual counseling, and medical support all housed in a single space.

If the person has noticeable symptoms of depression they may want to consider visiting an experts in depression treatment in Cleveland OH for an evaluation and recommended treatments.

Supporting Someone You Love

If someone you care about has PTSD and is abusing substances, you can make a big difference. Here’s how you can help:

• Advise them to visit a professional
• Listen without judging
• Be supportive emotionally and be patient
• Connect them with local mental health resources
• You will be much more consistent and responsible in that care.
• Healing happens, but it takes time. Nobody has to do this alone.

Final Thoughts

PTSD and addiction frequently co-occur, but they do not have to shape a person’s life. Through appropriate treatment and help, you can learn to control your feelings, actions and thoughts, and recover your life. Get help today if you or someone you love is suffering.

Whether they’re contacting child psychiatrists in Cleveland OH for a young person or looking to Cleveland OH depression treatment options for an adult, resources exist that can change lives.