The PTSD and Addiction Connection

Our surroundings are in constant flux. 

 

We must confront difficulties that aren’t always pleasant, and these things place stress on us. With all the problems in life that we encounter daily, PTSD is increasingly common. Often known as post-traumatic stress disorder, it is a negative reaction to stress. It is described as the result of a stressful or traumatic incident and an inability to deal with what has happened. Although it is not necessarily a sickness, the onset of symptoms might be connected to some important event in your life.

 

PTSD and the Basic Premise of Stress

The basic problem is that some people can handle stressful situations better than others. Additionally, when certain people are placed in specific circumstances, such as when people are presented with stimuli that might provoke dread, sadness, or even psychosis, negative emotions arise that can create problems like anxiety, worry, or grief. Several investigations have revealed that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cause substance abuse and addiction.

 

Veterans and Addiction

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Veterans who have PTSD have a significantly higher risk of developing an addiction.

 

It is also easy to see how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might develop into addiction. When a person has undergone a traumatic situation, numerous coping mechanisms might display, including the usage of alcohol or drugs. People turn to drugs to relieve stress and to cope with their problems. Not seeing that the substance misuse will only worsen, they find themselves immersed in their troubles, struggling to manage two major issues instead of just one. Because of their intense stress, as well as the new reliance they’ve developed in an attempt to ease it, their current stress is also on the rise. A potential answer then becomes to use additional medications.

 

PTSD: Dependency

Additionally, because of the fact that these narcotics are both psychologically and physically addicting, dependency will quickly emerge.

 

While you may not be able to see this process in action around you, it’s certainly playing an active role in our society. Everyday situations are handled in our own unique ways but using the same rationale. When people who have given up attempting to confront life have fallen prey to whatever it is they were unwilling to face, that sometimes means living on the streets. Alcoholics and drug addicts live in a reality of highs and lows. Whatever it is that they were unable to confront must be something rather terrible if they’re attempting to hide from it.

 

Coping with PTSD from Drug Abuse

When a person tries to stop using drugs or alcohol, they are more likely to be tempted into using them again. Instead of coming up with a solution to that problem, they resort to abusing again. As long as people are addicted to substances, they may hide from their issues behind the illusion of a substance abuse existence. This is a complex problem that demands a refined answer. Many individuals have a difficult time when trying to deal with people in these circumstances because they only consider one side of the argument.

 

Finding Treatment for PTSD and Addiction

Today, more individuals than ever before have discovered the answers to these problems and have found treatment, which may help with both the addiction and dealing with the issues of life. Successful therapy breaks down the boundaries and rehabilitates the individual, allowing them to succeed at the same time.

 

Origins of PTSD: Crisis

A crisis is anything that may be expected or predicted in life. We build the abilities essential to deal with and resolve any issues that arise. Everyone has crises in their everyday lives. The most common causes of crises include situations like job loss, interpersonal problems, financial setbacks, and late delivery deadlines. They are adding stress to an existing condition.

 

PTSD: Trauma

For most people, trauma is something that occurs outside of typical daily routines. Feelings of hopelessness typically result from this activity. Natural catastrophes, deliberate disasters, and repetitive trauma, such as war, sexual assault, terrorist threats, or domestic violence, are all examples of traumas.

 

PTSD: Long-Term Effects of Trauma 

A PTSD incident disables a person’s ability to make decisions and relies on the brain’s amygdala to accomplish such tasks. As blood flow is diverted from important organs to the muscles to enhance physical strength and pain awareness is decreased, blood flow is transferred from vital organs to the muscles to boost physical strength. the typical response to an unusual occurrence

 

PTSD is distinct in that it is an official diagnostic that is primarily based on the severity, symptoms, and time of occurrence. 

 

PTSD: Marijuana and Cocaine Addictions

Addictions tend to emerge as a result of an intense amount of strain, and they are viewed as a means of relieving symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To relieve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, individuals use self-medication. The last thing a victim wants to go through again is being in a heightened state of arousal or reliving the horrific incident, which causes them to respond to sudden stimuli. It tends to set them into a state of combat or flight. People choose to use drugs and alcohol to try to “cover-up” the painful incident that occurred in the past. Those who have just returned from several tours of service in Afghanistan face difficulty in regaining their mental and physical health and turn to narcotics and alcohol to aid them in the short term.

 

PTSD: Healing

For people suffering from PTSD, the healing process is quite difficult. No two people have the same reaction to the same scenario. There are roughly 18 suicides each day among veterans returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan who are suffering from PTSD. It appears that the most effective treatment is support. Evidence shows that bringing everyone into the process—employee, spiritual, family, and community members—is the best approach to rapidly improve someone’s condition.

 

PTSD: Where to Get Treatment

The Sands Treatment Center in South Florida is expert and experienced in dealing with PTSD issues and disorders. Call 844-200-2509 or get connected to us here.