PTSD and Trauma Leading to Addiction
If you feel as if your PTSD and addiction are linked, and your trauma is leading to addiction, chances are you are probably right. The good news is that you are not alone. Time reports that about 50-66 percent of those who suffer from PTSD also battle simultaneous addiction. In addition, around 50% of individuals seeking substance use treatment also suffer from PTSD according to MentalHelp.
Co-Occurring PTSD and Addiction
PTSD, which stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is defined as a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other violent personal assault. People who experience PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their trauma that last long after the traumatic event has ended. This can include nightmares, flashbacks, constant reminders and detachment from reality.
The symptoms of PTSD are classified into four categories:
Avoidance
Re-experiencing
Arousal and reactivity
Cognition and mood symptoms
The Connection Between PTSD and Addiction
People with PTSD may also experience angry outbursts and having trouble concentrating or sleeping. In order to cope with these intense, disturbing thoughts, people may turn to alcohol to help temporarily relieve them. Others may decide to take the step to get psychiatric help, and could be prescribed anxiety medication to help ease tense nerves and panic attacks.
Anxi...
Source: Cliffside Malibu - Category: Addiction Authors: Jaclyn Uloth Tags: Addiction Addiction Recovery Addiction Treatment and Program Resources Alcohol Anxiety Drinking Drug Treatment Mental Health PTSD Substance Abuse alcoholism co-occurring disorder co-occurring disorders co-occurring disorders trea Source Type: blogs
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