PTSD is a mental health disorder that can impact one’s physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. Left untreated, PTSD can significantly interfere with your health, quality of life, and relationships. Unfortunately, some individuals with PTSD may also turn to abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with their symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about understanding the connection between PTSD and addiction below.
At East Coast Recovery Center, we are here to help you overcome your addiction so you can lead a healthier life. Our recovery center in Massachusetts provides a broad range of addiction treatment options so you can receive the best possible care along your recovery journey. Whether you are struggling with drug addiction and/or a mental illness, our caring team is here to help you effectively progress along your recovery journey so you can take back control over your health and quality of life. Ready to start your recovery? Contact us today!
3 Ways PTSD and Addiction Can Be Connected
PTSD left untreated can interfere with virtually all areas of your life for the worse. Unfortunately, those who struggle with PTSD can be at an increased risk for abusing drugs or alcohol to try and relieve their symptoms. Below are more ways that explore the connection between PTSD and addiction.
Abusing Drugs to Cope with PTSD Symptoms
First, as mentioned above, some individuals who struggle with PTSD may turn to abusing drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. While this is not the case for all individuals who struggle with PTSD, PTSD can increase one’s risk of turning to drugs to cope with their symptoms. Inevitably, drugs do not treat the source of an individual’s symptoms, and drug abuse can only provide short-term, temporary relief. Therefore, this raises one’s risk of repeatedly turning to drugs and developing an addiction to drugs as a means to try and cope with PTSD symptoms.
Using Drugs to Escape From Traumatic Memories
Oftentimes, individuals who struggle with PTSD may have flashbacks or nightmares of the traumatic event. These traumatic memories can be very distressing. This can lead some individuals struggling with PTSD to turn to drugs and alcohol as a means to escape from their traumatic memories. For instance, a veteran struggling with untreated PTSD may experience traumatic memories during their time at war, which can bring about traumatic memories and increase their risk of turning to unhealthy coping strategies like drug abuse.
PTSD Can Leave Someone Vulnerable to Engaging in Riskier Decision-Making
Finally, untreated PTSD can negatively impact one’s overall decision-making and thus make them vulnerable to engaging in riskier behavior, like abusing drugs or alcohol. While again PTSD symptoms don’t mean one will automatically engage in riskier behavior and decisions, it can increase one’s likelihood. This is why it’s critical if you or someone you know is struggling with untreated PTSD to seek professional help so you can safely manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of abusing drugs or alcohol as a means to cope with your symptoms.
If you are struggling with both PTSD and drug addiction, it’s critical to seek dual-diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment is when an individual receives treatment for both their substance use disorder and mental illness at the same time, thus reducing their risk of relapse.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about understanding the connection between PTSD and addiction. Not everyone who struggles with PTSD will develop an addiction. However, if you are struggling with untreated PTSD, this can increase your risk of turning to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope with your symptoms. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, addiction, or another mental health disorder, it’s critical you seek professional support!
At East Coast Recovery Center, our compassionate team of addiction specialists and mental health professionals are here to help you safely and effectively progress along your recovery journey. You should never feel afraid or ashamed of asking for help in leading a healthier life! We provide a wide range of treatment options so you can receive the personalized care you need to lead a healthier, happier quality of life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you progress along your road to recovery.
