Trauma and addiction are often found alongside one another since the symptoms of trauma can be so overwhelming that they lead many people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Escaping the unsettling symptoms and pain of trauma can be all someone thinks about. That’s why it’s important that anyone going through trauma understands the dangers of self-medication. Recognizing these potential roadblocks to healing can help you avoid dangerous ways of coping and learn healthier skills. If you or a loved one needs a supportive and encouraging place to deal with the trauma they’ve experienced, enroll in a PTSD treatment program here at My 5 Palms.
Trauma does not go away on its own; even if you stuff down memories of the event, you can still experience the consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For the trauma-informed therapy you need in order to process trauma and help your mind and body heal, call My 5 Palms at 1.844.675.1022.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is the body’s response to witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. There are different levels of trauma, usually referred to as little “t” and big “T” trauma. Some examples of little “t” traumas are:
- Getting fired or laid off from a job
- Losing a pet
- Being bullied
- Money troubles
- Experiencing infidelity, a breakup, or divorce
On the other end of the scale, big “T” traumas are more extreme, such as:
- Being involved in war or combat
- Experiencing a natural disaster
- Being the victim of sexual assault
- Being the victim of a physical attack
- Being involved in a serious car accident
Trauma can be the result of an individual event or a string of events and can develop as soon as the event occurs or as long as years afterward. It can manifest in different forms, including physical, emotional, and psychological.
The Relationship Between Trauma and Addiction
The symptoms of trauma can vary from person to person, depending on the nature of the traumatic experience. However, there is nearly always a connection between trauma and addiction.
People may experience intrusive thoughts—remembering the event or flashbacks that make hard feelings return. Mood swings can also be a part of an unresolved trauma experience. You might feel angry at times and numb at others. Guilt and shame are also common symptoms. People may also deal with cognitive impairment or “brain fog,” which makes remembering things difficult. Lastly, trauma can also be characterized by a state of hyperarousal. This means you’re on alert for possible danger, which can cause sleep difficulties and irritability.
All of these symptoms of trauma can happen in isolation or at once, making life feel extremely overwhelming for the person experiencing it. This is where trauma and addiction can become intertwined:
Avoidance Behaviors
Someone experiencing prolonged pain of any kind if likely to search for ways to numb that pain or simply escape from it for a while. This leads to avoidance behaviors. Avoidance behaviors can be fairly benign, like zoning out in front of the television for hours. Or, they can be more potentially harmful, like the overuse of substances.
Avoidant behaviors might also mean that someone with trauma may go out of their way to avoid people, places, or situations that remind them of the traumatic event. This can lead to isolation and social withdrawal, which can also sometimes result in substance misuse.
Self-Medication
Self-medication is the term used to describe using substances to cope with emotional distress. Without proper guidance, the symptoms of trauma can override someone’s generally good judgment and cause them to turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the discomfort. This is the direct link between trauma and addiction.
The Dangers of Self-Medication
Using substances to manage the symptoms of trauma is a slippery slope. While people may feel better temporarily, the core issue is not addressed and will only return. Continually self-medicating in response to distress can:
- Increase your tolerance to the substance and require larger doses for the same effect
- Put you at risk for overdose
- Further destroy your mental health
- Introduce you to physical health problems
Even worse is that the use of drugs or alcohol can increase the risk of retraumatization—impaired judgment and engaging in risky behaviors can eventually place you in a new dangerous situation, including some that may be similar to the original traumatic event.
Get Help for PTSD Today by Calling My 5 Palms
The dangers of self-medication are real. The last thing you want is to have the trauma you’ve already experienced compounded by new trauma. With the help of PTSD treatment from My 5 Palms, you can learn how to manage the symptoms of trauma without turning to substances for comfort or avoidance. Reach out to My 5 Palms at 1.844.675.1022 or submit our online contact form today. Learn more about trauma-informed treatment at our Ormond Beach treatment center.
