PTSD and the Dangers of Self-Medication

People who suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are 14 times more likely to have a substance use disorder. And nearly 10 percent of Americans in the general population suffer from PTSD. The symptoms can range from intrusive memories to changes in physical and emotional reactions to avoidance. Effective treatment is needed to improve the quality of life and reduce symptoms. But far too often, those with the disorder turn to self-medication, which can have devastating effects on the sufferer and on those who love and care about them. Self-medication is dangerous because it fails to get at the root cause or promote true healing or processing.

Far too often, people with PTSD turn to self-medication, which can have devastating effects on the sufferer and on those who love and care about them.

Substance Use as Self-Treatment

Unfortunately, substance abuse and PTSD go hand-in-hand. Those who have suffered traumatic events are more likely than those who have not encountered trauma to become substance users. Many times people with the disorder turn to substances, or self-medicating, in an attempt to escape or numb the distress that comes with having PTSD. For instance, those who experience hyperarousal due to their trauma often turn to depressant substances like alcohol and marijuana to help quiet their anxiety. And as a result of so many veterans being plagued by PTSD, there have been many developments in alcohol treatments for veterans.

Consequences of Self-Treatment

Self-treating PTSD symptoms can often come with some pretty nasty consequences. Relationships can be lost, legal troubles may ensue, and health can suffer all as a result of self-treating PTSD. Turning to drugs, alcohol, or both to conquer PTSD is very dangerous and oftentimes doesn’t yield the relief that is expected. Although substance use can dull or even alleviate symptoms to some degree, the underlying trauma is still there and will usually make its way to the foreground once more. Substance use is only a short-term fix. Substance abuse and PTSD when paired put people at an increased risk of medical problems, suicide, anxiety, depression, and inpatient psychiatric treatment.

Getting Help

Those who suffer from PTSD often look for relief from its nagging and distressing symptoms through self-medication, but this is not the best way to go about handling PTSD. There are specialized treatments available that can help sufferers cope with the challenges of the disorder. Seeking Safety is one such treatment. It’s well-established and its goal is to help people understand the connections between PTSD and substance abuse. Seeking Safety also gives people skills and methodologies for handling PTSD and its symptoms in a healthy and safe way, reducing the sufferer’s reliance on drugs, alcohol, and other unsafe coping mechanisms.

Those who suffer from PTSD often look for relief from its distressing symptoms through self-medication, but this is not the best way to go about handling PTSD.

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There are a lot of people suffering from PTSD. It’s not a disorder that’s associated with any one group of people. People from all backgrounds, of all ages can suffer from the disorder, and when the needs of a sufferer are not met appropriately, it is easy to fall into self-medication to find relief. But there are other alternatives that are safe and can allow those with PTSD to live a happier and less stressed life.