Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

PTSD doubles the rates of addiction: Early detection is important for a healthy life

“Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others’ lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening.” (WebMD)

A report shows that 45 percent of people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) smoke cigarettes, 52 percent have been diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependence, and 35 percent have been diagnosed with drug abuse or dependence.

The smoking rate among people with PTSD is about double that of the general population, as is the rate of alcohol abuse and dependence. The drug addiction and dependence rate is almost three times that of the general adult population. (jointogether.org)

PTSD is a type of mental health disorder that is caused by a traumatic event.

Fort Wayne anesthesiologist William Pond, M.D., knows soldiers bring a part of war home with them. He sees first hand how the effects of war can impact the whole family.

Dr. Pond, a colonel in the Air National Guard, has served four tours in Iraq. He believes physicians can help returning troops and their families by being aware of the psychiatric disorders they may suffer. A Rand Corporation study released last April revealed nearly 20 percent of returning soldiers reported symptoms of PTSD, but only half sought treatment. Soldiers who did seek help for PTSD or major depression received minimally adequate treatment for their illnesses, according to researchers. Those who did not seek help said they were concerned that it would threaten their military careers. (ismanet.com)

Early treatment is better because symptoms of PTSD may get worse. Dealing with them now might help stop them from getting worse in the future.

PTSD symptoms can change family life because PTSD symptoms can get in the way of your family life. You may find that you pull away from loved ones, are not able to get along with people, or that you are angry or even violent.

PTSD can be related to other health problems and can worsen physical health problems. Illnesses such as Chronic pain, autoimmune disease and thyroid disease and musculoskeletal conditions. (helpguide.org)

Symptoms

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are commonly grouped into three types: intrusive memories, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety or emotional arousal (hyperarousal).

Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:

Flashbacks, or reliving the traumatic event for minutes or even days at a time
Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event
Symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing may include:
Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
Feeling emotionally numb
Avoiding activities you once enjoyed

Symptoms of anxiety and increased emotional arousal may include:

Irritability or anger
Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much
Trouble sleeping
Being easily startled or frightened
Hearing or seeing things that aren’t there

source: Baltimore Examiner

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Binge-drinking teens on track for disaster

As always, I had a great time at Courtenay’s Island Music Fest this past weekend, and I don’t want what I’m about to say to be taken as criticism of what is a summer highlight for my family. But holy moly, there was some out-of-control drinking going on up there. There were kids drinking so….

Potential Drug Treatment for Alcoholism

A drug currently approved to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may play a role in the treatment of alcoholism. The drug is called aripiprazole (Abilify); researchers say more research is needed, but this first study found the drug helps lessen the euphoric effects of alcohol. Aripiprazole is a dopamine partial agonist, so it works differently….

Detox

It is the need of today’s individual to remain in perfect appealing shape. The mindset of an individual is inclining more towards his appearance rather than his health. The people with wide waist dimensions are laughed at and those with thin and perfect features are appreciated. This social pressure has made an individual fall pray….

Teenage drug addiction

MEET MRINAL from Kanpur. He is 16 years old and has already been to a rehabilitation centre. He started drinking and smoking since he was 13. Meet Manoj and Vijay from Delhi, aged 17. They are famous among their group for throwing big parties with unlimited flow of alcohol and marijuana. These characters have not….

Prescription Drug Needs Post Drug Treatment

If you or a loved one is recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, the need to take prescription medications for an illness or injury can be both dangerous and scary. You don’t want to become addicted to drugs again and yet you know that you need to take the medication. How can you take….