Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Substance abuse refers to the harmful use of addictive substances like alcohol or drugs. Researchers have found a strong connection between PTSD and substance abuse problems. Many people with PTSD turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their traumatic memories and experiences. However, substance abuse often makes PTSD symptoms worse. It can keep people from healing and moving forward from the trauma.
This article provides an overview of the link between PTSD and addiction, defines both conditions, and explains why they often occur together. We’ll explore treatment options that can help address both PTSD and addiction for a better recovery. Understanding this connection is important for improving care.
Understanding PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after someone experiences a traumatic event. Causes of PTSD can include various traumatic events, like combat exposure, childhood abuse or neglect, sexual assault, or natural disasters. Those at higher risk for PTSD include people who have experienced repeated traumas, have a previous anxiety disorder, or lack strong social support networks.
The main symptoms of PTSD fall into four categories:
- Reliving the event through intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma
- Negative changes in thinking and mood, like depression, anxiety, or distorted feelings like guilt
- Feeling on edge, having difficulty sleeping or concentrating
It is estimated that about 8 out of every 100 people have experienced PTSD at some point. Rates are higher for combat veterans and people who have suffered repeated traumas.
PTSD for Various Reasons
The table below shows the percentage of people estimated to develop PTSD after different trauma types:
| Group | PTSD Rate |
| General population | 8% |
| Veterans | 11-30% |
| Adult survivors of childhood abuse | 25% |
| Sexual assault victims | 94% |
Understanding Substance Abuse and Addiction
Many people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also struggle with substance abuse or addiction. PTSD develops after someone experiences a traumatic event. Substance abuse, or opioid addiction, and PTSD often go hand-in-hand — a condition called “substance use and trauma.”
There are several types of substances that those with PTSD commonly abuse, including:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prescription opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin
- Illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine
The signs and symptoms of addiction may include:
- Strong cravings for the substance
- Continuing to use despite negative consequences
- Issues with work, relationships, health, or the law
- Building up a tolerance and needing more of the substance to get the same effect
The table below shows the percentage of people with PTSD substance abuse or addiction disorder:
| Substance | % with Comorbid Substance Abuse/Addiction Disorder |
| Alcohol | 30-50% |
| Marijuana | 34-36% |
| Cocaine | 25% |
Many people with PTSD turn to substances as a way to cope with their symptoms. However, substance abuse can make PTSD symptoms worse. Getting treatment for both conditions together leads to better outcomes. Understanding the link between substance abuse and PTSD can help people on their road to recovery.
The Link between PTSD and Substance Abuse
Experiencing trauma can lead some people to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At the same time, trauma victims may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult emotions and memories. This can create a vicious cycle leading to both PTSD and substance abuse disorders. Research shows several reasons why trauma and addiction often go hand-in-hand:
Coping Mechanisms
After trauma, people may use drugs or alcohol to avoid thinking about what happened. These substances can numb emotional pain in the short term. However, they also prevent effective processing of traumatic memories.
Self-Medication Hypothesis
People with PTSD may use drugs or alcohol to numb their painful feelings, calm down when triggered, or help them sleep. By self-medicating with substances, they try to cope with PTSD symptoms like nightmares, anxiety, and flashbacks. However, this often backfires and makes their problems worse in the long run.
Avoidance Behaviors
Those with PTSD go out of their way to avoid reminders of their trauma. Substances allow trauma victims to detach from reality so triggers impact them less. Unfortunately, substance abuse usually worsens PTSD over time.
Brain Chemistry Changes
Trauma can alter brain circuits and chemistry, making people more prone to addiction. Those with PTSD and addiction disorders often have abnormalities in their dopamine reward pathways. Brain circuits and neurotransmitters impacted by trauma may increase susceptibility to addiction. The amygdala and prefrontal cortex show changes in both disorders. Levels of dopamine, endorphins, and stress hormones also get disrupted. More research is exploring the brain-based correlations between PTSD and addictive behaviors.
Genetic Factors
Research shows shared genetic risk underlies both PTSD and drug addiction. There may be overlap in the genes that make people vulnerable to both disorders.
In summary, complex PTSD and addiction can lead to changes in coping strategies, behavior, brain function, and biology that promote substance abuse and addiction. At the same time, drug or alcohol addiction tends to exacerbate post-traumatic stress disorder. Treating both conditions together, through integrated approaches, leads to better recovery outcomes.
Treatment for PTSD and Substance Abuse
There is a strong connection between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse or addiction. People who have experienced trauma are at higher risk for both PTSD and addiction issues. This “dual diagnosis” of PTSD and addiction can make both conditions worse and treatment more complex.
Several treatment approaches may help people with co-occurring PTSD and substance abuse. Integrated treatment models address both PTSD and addiction together, rather than treating each issue separately.
Evidence-based therapies help process trauma memories and develop coping strategies for PTSD symptoms that often trigger drug or alcohol use. Common therapies include:
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
- Medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs may also help manage symptoms.
- Support groups and peer counseling from others recovering from similar trauma and addiction provide empathy, encouragement, and accountability.
While combined treatment is most effective, it also poses challenges:
| Challenges | Description |
| Dual-diagnosis complexities | PTSD and addiction symptoms can interact and exacerbate one another, making treatment more difficult |
| Relapse risks | Trauma memories and symptoms can trigger relapse into drug or alcohol addiction |
| Access to care issues | Integrated dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse programs are limited, and people may need referrals to multiple providers |
In summary, trauma and post-traumatic stress are strongly linked to increased risks of addiction. The best treatment approach is an integrated model that manages both PTSD and substance abuse together.
Prevention Strategies
People with PTSD frequently turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. This can lead to opioid addiction and other substance abuse issues. Researchers have identified several strategies to address this link:
- Early intervention after a traumatic event can help prevent both PTSD and later addiction issues. Providing counseling and support services soon after trauma occurs may lessen the likelihood of developing long-term PTSD.
- Programs for raising awareness and educating the public can inform participants about the dangers of substance addiction, constructive coping mechanisms, and where to get treatment if necessary. Both drug abusers and PTSD sufferers may be the focus of these programs.
Regular screening and assessment tools can identify PTSD and addiction issues early on. This enables patients to receive the necessary assistance before their problems worsen.
Conclusion
Substance addiction issues and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are closely related. People with PTSD often turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. PTSD and addiction likely fuel one another, making both conditions worse over time. Thankfully, there are successful integrated therapy techniques that address both drug misuse and PTSD simultaneously. These treatments involve therapy for trauma and coping strategies to prevent relapse.
We need to spread awareness about this link between PTSD and addiction. Teachers, parents, and healthcare providers should learn the signs, so people can get the right help before substance abuse starts. With compassion and the right treatment, we can break this dangerous cycle for those suffering from PTSD.
