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Research suggests a strong link between trauma and addiction. Learn how people with PTSD can break the cycle and find healthier coping mechanisms.
After a traumatic event, some people find they can’t relax. They jump at small noises, stay awake all night and have panic attacks in ordinary situations. Eventually, they start to suspect that they have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some people go to therapy, but if they don’t know about the link between trauma and addiction, they might try another route: substance abuse.
When they attend rehab, they’re surprised to learn that therapists target PTSD and substance abuse simultaneously. Treating substance abuse while ignoring the underlying issues often leads to a relapse. However, unearthing the source of the PTSD and learning about healthy living can make their recovery permanent.
What Is the Connection Between PTSD and Substance Abuse?
PTSD usually comes before substance abuse, plaguing the individual for weeks, months or years before they turn to drugs. People with PTSD may experience some or all of these symptoms:
- Nightmares
- Panic attacks
- Flashbacks
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Intense guilt
- Dissociation
- Self-hatred
- Hallucinations
- Migraines
Many symptoms, such as panic attacks and flashbacks, occur in the middle of the day. An ordinary work shift or a beach vacation can turn into a nightmare as the individual relives the event. The constant stress leads to self-harm and suicidal thoughts, worsening their trauma. Eventually, they become desperate for a solution.
Substance Abuse Rates Among People With PTSD
In 2020, a National Institute of Mental Health study revealed that about 25% of mentally ill people suffer from substance abuse disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry noted the following statistics:
- About 75% of veterans with PTSD also abuse substances.
- Percentages of non-veterans with PTSD who experience substance abuse range from 21.6% to 43.0%.
- Substance abuse rates in people without PTSD are much smaller, ranging from 8.1% to 24.7%.
- Up to 42.5% of people in inpatient substance abuse programs have PTSD.
- For pregnant women in residential treatment, rates reach as high as 62%.
- Around 19.2% of adolescents with PTSD suffer from substance abuse disorders.
These rates suggest a strong link between PTSD and substance abuse. Many drug abuse clinics take this into consideration, creating specialty programs for PTSD residents.
Why Do People With PTSD Self-Medicate?
Instead of therapy sessions or a prescription drug regimen, many people with PTSD turn to self-medication. They use alcohol or drugs to help alleviate their symptoms and take more when their symptoms return. Common reasons for self-medicating include:
- They believe therapy is too expensive.
- They can’t find counselors in their area.
- Their social circle looks down on therapy.
- Friends tell them they don’t have a problem.
- They see other people with PTSD use the same coping methods.
- They tell themselves they’re just using drugs recreationally.
- They believe they have no way out of their addiction.
- Self-medicating seems to work in the beginning.
- They worry that doctors won’t prescribe what they need.
Some individuals rely on a single substance. Others abuse multiple substances, which can quickly lead to emergency situations if they overdose.
The Cycle of PTSD and Addiction
At first, people with substance abuse disorders think they’ve found a cure. Xanax relieves their panic attacks and brightens their mood. Heroin gives them a euphoric rush. Alcohol sedates them, preventing nightmares and insomnia. While they need a prescription for medication, they can consume as many illicit substances as they can afford with no doctor check-ins.
Many individuals think they can control their addiction. However, as their body builds a tolerance, they need increasingly high doses to relieve their PTSD symptoms. One dose in the morning becomes multiple doses throughout the day. They start draining their bank accounts and abandoning responsibilities in pursuit of the drug.
The physical and mental stress worsens their PTSD, leading them to more self-medication. They might experiment with new substances when one drug starts to fail. As their addiction grows, their PTSD worsens, until they can barely tell their PTSD and addiction symptoms apart.
On another note, substance abuse can force them into triggering situations. Witnessing overdoses and drug-related violence compounds their stress. Some people with addictions end up homeless, broke or trapped in abusive relationships, worsening their depression and anxiety. The substance that was supposed to help them becomes another source of suffering.
How Does Addiction Affect PTSD Symptoms?
Substance abuse typically exacerbates mental disorders. For example, some people with PTSD experience tremors, anxiety and hypervigilance. Cocaine or heroin might provide relief at first but eventually worsens the symptoms, making the user delusional and paranoid.
Worse still, withdrawals may cause delusions, nightmares and hallucinations that are indistinguishable from PTSD flashbacks. People who try to detox at home turn back to the drug because they can’t cope with the symptoms. Unfortunately, the drug itself also worsens their PTSD until they feel like they have nowhere to turn.
Treatment Options for PTSD and Addiction
FHE Health treats addictions to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, meth, opioids, sedatives and benzodiazepines. These programs empower people with PTSD to live without the drug.
Detox
Programs start with a medically supervised detox that eases withdrawals as much as possible while the drugs leave your system. Doctors work with you to ensure the detox doesn’t trigger your PTSD.
Inpatient
Afterward, you’ll transfer to an inpatient program that generally lasts from 1 to 3 months. Inpatient clients live at the facility 24/7 while they undergo different treatments, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, group counseling, yoga, medication management and art therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) change toxic thinking patterns.
Partial Hospitalization
Once you leave the residential program, you’ll start going home at night while attending therapy for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. You’ll continue full-time therapy while adjusting to life in your house or apartment or a sober living home. FHE Health’s family intensive program educates your loved ones so they can help you recover.
Outpatient
When you’re ready for independent living, outpatient care provides continued treatment on your schedule. You can attend in the mornings or evenings for 15 hours a week and then return to work, school or family obligations.
Aftercare
Access to a loving, supportive community decreases your risk of a relapse. Our alumni program offers support groups, job placement, resume assistance and other services after you leave treatment.
If you’re trapped in the cycle of trauma and addiction, FHE Health treats co-occurring disorders for relief from both conditions. Services include group and individual therapy, CBT, ketamine infusions, acupuncture, medication treatment and neurorehabilitation. We offer specialized programs for women and first responders. Contact us today to verify your insurance coverage before you start treatment.
