Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Abuse: Co-Occurring Disorders

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) combined with alcohol use can bring about problems for those who’ve suffered a trauma and these problems do affect their family members. Very often PTSD symptoms become worse due to the effect alcohol has on the person suffering from PTSD. Unfortunately PTSD and problems with alcohol seem to co-occur. People diagnosed with PTSD are prone to misusing alcohol. Their alcohol use disorder can just as likely occur before they have post traumatic stress disorders as after their PTSD diagnosis. People who have two or more disorders together, such as those who have an alcohol use disorder and PTSD, are said to have co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis disorders.
Having a diagnosis of PTSD does increase a person’s risk of alcohol dependency, misuse or abuse.
Both men and women who report having been sexually abused have a higher rate of developing drug and alcohol disorders compared to women and men who do not have a history of  sexual abuse.
25-75% of those who have survived either a violent or an abusive trauma, also have problems with excessive use of alcohol.
Those who have survived an illness, an accident or a disaster trauma are 10-33% more likely to have alcohol abuse problems, and this is especially true if they are chronically ill or in pain.
Of veterans of the Vietnam War who seek treatment for PTSD, 60-80% are abusing alcohol. These veterans are also more likely to go on binge drinking episodes. Bing drinking could very likely be in response to reminders or specific memories of traumatic events.
Problems with alcohol can lead to a traumatic event and often upset and even destroy relationships.
Those who abuse alcohol have a higher tendency to suffer psychological trauma than other people from a similar background. These individuals tend to have chronic problems with intimacy and are in repeated conflict in their relationships.
A person who abuses alcohol is more likely to have a chaotic lifestyle, which can bring about a reduction in emotional closeness among family members, an increase in conflict within the family, and less ability to effectively parent the children in the family.
Alcohol abuse often exacerbates the symptoms of PTSD.
There is no doubt that alcohol does help numb uncomfortable feelings and give one a temporary break from the discomfort of PTSD, but it also impairs concentration, disrupts sleep, acts as a depressant, and takes away from someone’s ability to be productive and enjoy their life.
When someone drinks to excess their sleep patterns are disrupted and they are less able to cope with the stress and the memories of the traumatic event. When you’re intoxicated you are numb to feelings, prone to depression, irritability and anger. You’re on alert all the time, on guard with others which of course leads to social isolation.
Treatment for PTSD, while abusing alcohol, is not going to be as effective.
Self-medicating through alcohol use may help minimize the symptoms of PTSD by numbing the anxiety and other symptoms short-term. But if alcohol use continues it only perpetuates the avoidant behavior that accompanies PTSD which makes treatment a lot more difficult. It’s a balancing act because when the patient lessens their use of alcohol then their PTSD symptoms often return.
Those with both PTSD and alcohol abuse issues very often suffer from other problems mentally and physically. Research has shown that 10% - 50% of adults suffering from PTSD combined with an alcohol use disorder also suffer from one or more of the following:

• An anxiety disorder such as:

Panic attacks
Phobias
Debilitating worry
Compulsions

• Mood disorders such as:

Major Depression
Dysthymic Disorder

• Disruptive behavior disorders such as:

Attention Deficit Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder

• Addictive disorders such as:

Abuse of or addiction to either prescription or street drugs

• A chronic physical illness such as:

Heart disease
Diabetes
Liver disease

• Chronic physical pain due to:

Physical injury
Physical illness with no clear physical cause

Because our substance abuse treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful PTSD and dual diagnosis rehab programs.  The foundations of our dual diagnosis treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the alcohol abuse treatment and drug abuse treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a substance abuse treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for PTSD and substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.