People often shut down when under a lot of pressure, and that’s especially dangerous with post-traumatic stress disorder. Men, particularly soldiers, get told that seeking help is unmanly. “Life will never stop throwing problems at you—learn to deal with them on your own!” This attitude helps explain why addiction and heart disease are the top killers of men, followed by substance use issues. For women, deaths from these causes are also rising quickly. Despite all the ways to connect with others today, many feel more alone than ever and tend to rely on quick fixes like drugs and alcohol to cope with frustration, anxiety, or depression.
Loneliness, Addiction, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder has been one of the most challenging tasks for mental health experts, with the catalysts of constant global conflict, growing work-life imbalances, and ongoing stress, violence, and abuse in daily life. Many people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder often try to avoid clinical treatment, turning to “self-medication” such as drugs and alcohol to numb symptoms. While this may provide a small, temporary boost in dopamine or lower the underlying stress and anxiety for a short while, in turn, it creates unhealthy patterns of dependency and can quickly become dangerous. It never addresses the underlying trauma, and while living in a state of self-medication, you might feel comfortable, this is generally short-lived and temporary relief. Eventually, the “hits” from self-medication won’t provide the same comfort or euphoria but barely sustain feelings of normalcy. Additionally, the withdrawal from self-medication often creates increased anxiety.
Chronic self-medication will never cure or heal post-traumatic stress disorders. Therapy can break down some of the barriers that we build in trying to avoid help. It can make our commitment stronger, improve outcomes, addressing post-traumatic stress and the underlying trauma. Therapy and professional healing are the most effective ways to truly overcome the consequences of trauma.
Women, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder
One study by Reynolds et al. found that a large number of people suffering from addiction were previously survivors of physical or sexual abuse, yet little research focuses on the actual traumas. Too often, experiences of severe trauma like this can make survivors turn to self-medication (and ultimately addiction). It can make survivors wary or afraid of authority figures, groups, or treatment programs. It’s important to understand that without proper medical treatment, some addictions can be dangerous to treat on their own, with severe withdrawal symptoms and high rates of relapse.
Therapy and treatment will help. You should never go day-to-day living in a state of suffering and anxiety, waiting for your next dose. Professional addiction rehab and recovery treatment options exist, especially for those who have suffered severe trauma in their past, and with proper care in a safe environment, you can begin the recovery process one step at a time. If you know someone in need of recovery care or treatment for a severely traumatic experience, we suggest you give us a call immediately at (888) 535-1516.
Originally posted on July 26, 2024 @ 7:48 am
