What is the connection between PTSD and addiction?
Post -traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is usually considered a condition that affects soldiers returning from combat situations, but in fact it can affect almost anyone at any age suffering from a traumatic event. PTSD and dependence share probable connections because one can more likely increase the risk of another. However, it is important to realize that not anyone suffering from PTSD will develop addiction.
addiction can occur in many forms, including drugs and alcohol, gambling, shopping and risk sexual behavior. Dependence can also be physical in which the body desires a substance or psychological, in which the imaginary reward is mental. The connection between PTSD and addiction usually involves the use of alcohol or narcotics, especially opiates and other narcotic reliefs of pain, although gambling problems also prevail in this group.
odleNarcotic pains are one of the most common elements of PTSD and addiction, especially in military members who are returning from the fight or those who have suffered serious physical injury during the trauma. These types of pain lighteners are naturally very addictive and can be difficult to stop taking them for patients too long. While reliefs of prescription pain are at the beginning beneficial to help the injured patient get through physical pain, they can eventually become a crutch that will help alleviate emotional suffering. In some cases, when relieving prescription pain is no longer available, suffering from illegal street drugs such as a heroine may go.
Alcohol is another main substance associated with PTSD and addiction that affects up to 75 percent of the suffering. This is particularly common in women who have undergone a traumatic experience such as sexual abuse or attack. Drinking to the point of intoxication can actually worsen symptomptsd because alcohol is strong depressive. LowThere is also an inhibition, which may increase the risk that the user becomes violent or involved in other risky behavior.
Treatment of patients with PTSD and addiction can be demanding because both problems need to be solved simultaneously. Patients may have to enter the rehabilitation facility to overcome the physical part of their addiction, but the psychological problems of PTSD and addiction can take years to overcome the years. Some may have to learn alternative ways of coping with stress and at the same time reach the root cause of the failure. Call therapy with a qualified psychologist or therapist is often recommended.