PTSD Treatment Strategies, Facts, & Diagnosis

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition arising from exposure to or experiencing a traumatic event. This disorder’s significant connection to drug addiction stems from individuals with PTSD resorting to drugs or alcohol as a means of self-medication to cope with feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress. This discussion delves into the strong association between PTSD and addiction.

According to the scientific article titled ‘Substance Use, Childhood Traumatic Experience, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in an Urban Civilian Population,’ published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, exposure to traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood, is linked to substance use disorders (SUDs), encompassing abuse and dependence. SUDs also frequently co-occur with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mood-related psychopathologies.

While many individuals overcome the anxiety, depression, and agitation stemming from traumatic events, those with PTSD continue to grapple with these symptoms for months or even years. The development of PTSD can be triggered by witnessing or experiencing events such as: [followed by a list of initiating events]. Understanding this enduring impact underscores the intricate connection between PTSD and addiction.

• Military combat
• Serious accidents and injury
• Natural disasters
• Acts of terrorism
• Sexual or physical assault during childhood or as an adult
• The death of a loved one

The co-occurrence of PTSD and Addiction frequently arises in the aftermath of significant trauma. Obtaining accurate dual-diagnosis treatment is essential for addressing both conditions and achieving sobriety.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder stemming from traumatic experiences like military combat, sexual abuse, or car accidents. As per the National Center for PTSD, approximately 8 out of 100 Americans will grapple with PTSD. Symptoms may encompass flashbacks of the traumatic event, intrusive thoughts, and distressing nightmares. Identifying and treating both PTSD and Addiction concurrently is pivotal for a comprehensive and practical recovery journey.

Types of PTSD

PTSD resulting from emotional abuse is often conceptualized as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). While not formally recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), many health professionals differentiate C-PTSD from PTSD, acknowledging its inclusion in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Typically, PTSD is associated with a response to one-time or short-term trauma, like rape or a terrorist attack. In contrast, C-PTSD emerges from ongoing trauma where escape is challenging. This broader category encompasses emotional abuse and other sustained traumatic experiences, such as being a prisoner of war, facing human trafficking or prostitution, or enduring repeated violence.

Individuals with C-PTSD may exhibit symptoms akin to those with PTSD, such as reliving trauma, avoidance, and hyperarousal. However, complex PTSD introduces its unique symptoms, including a negative self-perception and distorted views of the perpetrator. Recognizing these distinctions is vital for understanding and addressing the complexities of emotional abuse-related trauma.

The Emotional Component of PTSD

Emotional abuse-induced PTSD is not differentiated from C-PTSD, primarily due to its emotional rather than physical character. Regardless of the form of trauma, whether emotional or physical, all PTSD is rooted in emotional and psychological responses to trauma, evolving from fear and distress.

• Hearing about a terrorist attack
• Going through a hurricane without experiencing any physical harm

• The sudden death of a loved one
• Witnessing a murder

• Confusion
• Fear

• Hopelessness
• Shame

• Difficulty concentrating
• Moodiness
• Muscle tension

• Nightmares
• Racing heartbeat
• Various aches and pains

• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Guilt

• Insomnia
• Social withdrawal or loneliness

Intrusive Memories

• Repeated memories of the traumatic episode
• Night terrors about the event
• Vivid flashbacks of traumatic episodes
• Extreme physical reactions to reminders of the traumatic event

Avoidance

• Attempting to avoid talking or thinking about the traumatic episode
• Trying to avoid people, places and activities that trigger memories of the event

Drastic Changes in Thinking or Mood

• Emotional numbness
• Difficulty keeping close relationships
• Being incapable of positive emotions
• Lapses in memory
• Negative feelings about self or others

Changes in Emotional Reactions

• Irritability
• Feeling “on guard” at all times
• Overwhelming guilt or shame
• Insomnia
• Trouble concentrating
• Self-destructive behavior (binge drinking or reckless driving)

Substance abuse and addiction often intersect with co-occurring disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Individuals seeking treatment for PTSD have a significantly higher likelihood (14 times more) of being diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder (SUD). Self-medication is a common motive behind many individuals with PTSD turning to substance abuse, as they may believe that abusing substances will either numb or help them avoid PTSD symptoms. Those grappling with both PTSD and addiction are more prone to the misuse of alcohol and drugs, including substances like cocaine.

Research, such as the study ‘PTSD and Substance Abuse in Veterans’ published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, indicates that service members and veterans exhibiting heavy drinking patterns are more prone to PTSD and depression. Among war veterans diagnosed with PTSD who also engage in alcohol consumption, there is a heightened likelihood of being diagnosed with binge drinking.