The incidences and reported cases of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are on the rise. It would appear that either more are experiencing various traumas in their lives, or they are just being diagnosed or reported more.

PTSD is a very debilitating and mental/emotional crippling illness which can lead to severe mental health problems and withdrawals from self and society. The ramifications of this mental illness are staggering!

This mental illness can be a huge underlying factor in the alcohol and drug dependence.

PTSD Causes

PTSD and trauma is caused by a very painful and horrific event that the individual experiences. The event can either immediately overwhelm them or lingers to resurface in the individual’s mind at a later date. The trauma is so harsh and disturbing that it becomes an intense, permanent, unforgettable crisis in the mind of the individual!

The most common experiences leading to PTSD and psychological trauma are violence and abuse. Individuals reporting the highest incidences of trauma come from backgrounds where they were victimized or witnessed aggression/violence first hand.

Where were you on 9/11—September 11th when New York was attacked? Do the images haunt your mind? Memories like these may never leave you because of its horrific and intense nature. Can you imagine being in New York that fateful morning?

Events like acts of violence, terrorism, war, rape, child abuse, molestation, domestic violence, bullying and accidents are at the root of many PTSD cases. These events and their horrific interpretations become imprinted on the mind and often times become over-bearing and overwhelming. The memories and images become so intense, they become extremely difficult to remove or modify.

What does PTSD feel like?

Most individuals experiencing PTSD and trauma feel as if their lives have spun out of control. They no longer feel grounded and feel as if their thoughts control them instead of the other way around.

The hallmark PTSD effects are flashbacks, recurring images and nightmares/night terrors. No matter when, where or who they are with, they see and re-experience the images of the traumatic event. This casts the individual into a negative state of oblivion where stress and anxiety overwhelm them.

Other common PTSD symptoms include:

•    Avoidant and restricted range of emotions
•    Decreased interest in life’s activities
•    Feelings of detachment
•    Insomnia and interrupted sleeping patterns
•    Difficulty concentrating
•    Stress and depression

PTSD and Drugs

Many soldiers who return from the war become dependant on drugs and alcohol. Violent and harsh images overwhelm the minds. They seek out drugs and substances to numb or shut the negative thought/image process down. When an individual possesses PTSD, often times they replay the negative event play over and over in their minds. One attempt to shut it down is to abuse toxins.

Unfortunately, drugs (including prescription medications) and alcohol do not work. As a matter of fact, often times they intensify the images and flashbacks. Most drugs and alcohol produce greater and more intense feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. They provoke the trauma to worsen. Furthermore, individuals using alcohol, drugs and other substances are only masking the symptoms and not dealing with the underlying cause—their traumatic experience (PTSD).

Is it surprising whenever they experience a situation that resembles the traumatic event, a state of meltdown occurs? This experience is very common in women and children who have been battered or raped. Often times normal day to day experiences can trigger an emotional traumatic flashback.

By using alcohol and drugs, they not only run away and not deal with the situation, they also create a higher likelihood to become a substance abuser and dependant. Before an individual realizes it, they have developed a dependence and tolerance for the drug/alcohol. Soon they require more doses in order to function to a degree of perceived normality.

Unfortunately, little do they realize they have become addicted and a degree of “normality” will never be achieved until they receive detoxification and counseling. They must uncover that they possess a concurrent disorder—PTSD as well as an addiction.

PTSD Counseling

An individual with PTSD requires intense and ongoing counseling. If they possess an addiction, they must first go through detox or detoxification (getting the drug out of their system), or go into a concurrent(a.k.a. Dual-Diagnosis) disorder treatment program where the addiction and their PTSD are treated simultaneously. These are best achieved in 30 day residential programs. But in most cases 60-90 days are the minimum necessary to uncover and resolve these illnesses.

One on one counseling including psychotherapy as well as personal support groups are also great treatment venues for individuals with PTSD. Individuals need to vent and remove stored negative memories to rid themselves of the flashbacks. Progressive muscle relaxation and hypnotherapy are also great treatments and help individuals with PTSD.