Trauma Among Different Populations
When the Vietnam War veterans returned home in the late 1970s from their horrific battle overseas, an overwhelming majority of them seeking PTSD treatment – 80%, according to the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; STSS for short – went on to struggle with alcohol abuse. Similarly, women with a history as victims of violence have a notably higher risk of developing a substance use disorder when compared to women who do not. On the surface, these experiences seem fairly dissimilar; most outside the mental health field wouldn’t draw many substantial comparisons between combat veterans and victims of domestic and/or childhood abuse. However, despite the differing nature of these instances, both are classified as instances of trauma, and both contribute to a higher rate of substance abuse among the victims.
Types of Trauma-Related Disorders
People living with trauma might be diagnosed with a number of different mental health disorders regarding said trauma, such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or ASD (acute stress disorder). While these disorders are indeed different, both are characterized by extreme stress relating to the traumatic incident, often manifesting in anxiety attacks, dissociation, avoidant behavior, and more. It affects every aspect of daily life, and can often make it difficult to perform everyday tasks due to mental (and often physical) strain.
The Role of Substance Abuse in Coping with Trauma
The overwhelming struggle associated with these trauma-induced disorders is what so often leads victims of trauma into substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol can provide temporary relief from these stressors; and unlike therapy, which often takes months or years of routine sessions, the relief is immediate.
Alcohol’s Influence on the Brain
Researchers at the National Institute of Health have found that, when consumed in large enough quantities, alcohol affects key areas of the brain, blocking critical pathways and making it more difficult for the necessary signals to be sent throughout. This can result in slurred speech, memory loss, and impaired judgment – all symptoms typically associated with being drunk. When the brain is not functioning correctly, it is more difficult for an individual’s traumatic memories and experiences to communicate stress throughout the mind and body.
The Effect of Opioids
Drugs, such as opioids, produce a similar reaction. The chemicals in opioids like Oxycontin trigger pleasure responses in the brain, the same responses that are normally triggered when engaging in positive activities like sex. When an individual with a history of trauma experiences this pleasure response, the negative sensations associated with their trauma might be overshadowed or momentarily forgotten. Unlike medications taken specifically for mental health disorders, like SSRIs and antipsychotics, opioids work quickly, and often with a more pronounced effect.
The Downside of Substance Abuse
The aforementioned effects of alcohol and drugs might seem appealing to many who are struggling with trauma, since they provide a relief that might otherwise be outrageously difficult to achieve; however, while these benefits might seem nice initially, abuse of said substances will inevitably result in more problems than solutions. The more you take, the more you need. Over time, the adaptable human brain will develop a tolerance for the chemicals found in alcohol and drugs, meaning the individual must take more and more to achieve the desired effects. The body is not meant to process the amount of chemicals an addicted individual consumes on a daily basis. In high enough doses, these substances can result in blackouts, strokes, heart attacks, overdoses, and in severe cases, death.
Further Trauma and Isolation from Substance Abuse
Unfortunately, the lifestyle and mental stress so often associated with addiction can lead to further trauma. People who struggle with substance abuse are often isolated or entirely disconnected from friends and family due to the nature of their addictions. Many end up homeless due to financial struggles brought on by an inability to work while impaired, and the significant cost of attaining the substances they need in order to function. The culture surrounding drug use is notoriously unsafe, often violent, and might result in physical injury to the addict. In seeking an escape from their trauma, victims who turn to alcohol and drugs will often inadvertently end up traumatizing themselves even further.
Casual Substance Use vs. Survival Mechanism
It is not uncommon for some people to begin abusing substances casually, perhaps at parties or with friends. Oftentimes it’s simply seen as a way of enjoying oneself. However, for people who have lived through significant trauma, alcohol and drugs are a means for survival.
Overcoming Trauma and the Role of Substance Abuse
The difficulty of overcoming one’s trauma is a painful, often lifelong process that usually involves therapy, prescription medications to assist with mental health disorders, inpatient and outpatient health facilities, and more; it’s not impossible by any means, but it is a daunting task, one that will inevitably require the victim to examine their trauma again in order to move past it. For many, even despite the dangers associated with it, substance use (and eventual abuse) can seem a more appealing way of dealing with the stress and negative symptoms of a trauma disorder. It is a severe and often debilitating coping mechanism, but a coping mechanism nonetheless.
Looking to Help? Begin Your Journey with Train Kentucky
If you feel a calling to assist those wrestling with the complex relationship between trauma and substance abuse, consider enrolling in one of Train Kentucky’s comprehensive courses. Our Adult Peer Support Certification and Targeted Case Management courses are specifically designed to empower you with the necessary skills and knowledge to truly make a difference. By joining the helping profession, you can provide the critical support these individuals need, helping them navigate their challenges and potentially change the trajectory of their lives. Begin your journey with us at Train Kentucky, and let’s make a positive impact together. You can browse our course selection by following this link.
Author
Sources
The Neurobiology of Opioid Dependence: Implications for Treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851054/
Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse Problems https://istss.org/ISTSS_Main/media/Documents/ISTSS_TraumaStressandSubstanceAbuseProb_ English_FNL.pdf
Alcohol’s Effects on Health https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/alcohol-and-brain- overview#:~:text=Alcohol%20interferes%20with%20the%20brain%27s,injuries%20and%20oth er%20negative%20outcomes
