The Epidemiology Of Post
Part of the Topic Series: Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Nathan D. L. Smith and Linda B. Cottler
Nathan D. L. Smith, A.L.M., is a doctoral student in the Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Linda B. Cottler, Ph.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.E. is the deans professor in the Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Behavioral Treatments For Comorbid Aud And Ptsd
Problems with alcohol use have been included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders since its original 1952 edition, but PTSD was not introduced as a psychiatric diagnosis until the third edition in 1980.81 Since 1980, behavioral treatments for comorbid AUD and PTSD often have been conducted sequentially, with alcohol-first treatments being more prevalent than PTSD-first treatments. Theoretically, achievement of abstinence facilitates development of cognitive skills such as impulse control and emotion regulation. These skills are subsequently useful in trauma-focused therapies, and they help minimize the risk of alcohol use as a means of avoiding trauma processing. However, individuals with comorbid AUD and PTSD often request integrated treatment or are unwilling to stop drinking alcohol. Opponents of PTSD-first and integrated treatments voice concern that AUD symptoms will worsen if skills promoting abstinence are not well-developed first, and that PTSD symptomatology will also worsen overall.82-84
Despite health care provider concerns about implementing integrated behavioral treatments for comorbid AUD and PTSD, a growing evidence base indicates that integrated treatments are safe, feasible, well-tolerated, and effective.9,88-94
Treatment At Priory Locations
At Priory, we understand that seeking support can be extremely daunting. However, our diverse team are dedicated to providing leading dual-diagnosis support to help our patients to manage their PTSD, as well as recover from alcohol addiction.
Seeking treatment for both the alcohol dependency and PTSD at the same time is recommended. If a drinking problem isnt confronted, treatment for PTSD will be less effective and progress will be stunted. Meanwhile, alcohol withdrawal can heighten PTSD symptoms, so it is best to treat both at the same time so that the support is as effective as possible.
When physically addicted to alcohol, detoxification may be needed to rid the body of alcohol. With round-the-clock care, support and medical management, a person will be closely observed, safe and comfortable. Group and individual therapy sessions may then be used to address the PTSD alongside the addiction, which can be provided on a residential or outpatient basis.
For details of how Priory can provide you with assistance regarding addiction treatment and rehabilitation, please call 0800 144 8969 or . For professionals looking to make a referral, please click here
Also Check: How Much Does Social Security Disability Pay Per Child
Center For The Study Of Alcohol Use Disorder & Traumatic Stress Research
Our researchers at the Center for the Study of Alcohol Use Disorder and Traumatic Stress in NYU Langones Department of Psychiatry are striving to better understand the relationship between these two comorbid conditions. We also work to develop effective treatments for patients who have an alcohol use disorder and simultaneously suffer from post-traumatic stress.
Under the guidance of Charles R. Marmar, MD, center director, our researchers use advanced and novel computational methods, biomarker analysis, and imaging approaches to further their knowledge. The center was established in 2019 thanks to a generous five-year grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health.
Alcohol use disorder affects about a third of individuals in the United States at some point in their lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common psychiatric comorbidities of alcohol use disorder, especially among veterans. The symptoms of PTSD interact with those of alcohol use disorder in a self-exacerbating cycle.
Learn more about our current research projects via the descriptions below.
Live Out Your Best Future
Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.
Luckily, many treatment centers offer specialized programs that address the unique difficulties presented by a dual diagnosis like PTSD and addiction. Vertava Health has several state-of-the-art rehab facilities that provide customized recovery plans for individuals suffering from co-occurring disorders.
You May Like: How To Apply For Disability Benefits For Depression
Prevalence Surveys In The United States
Since the late 1970s, several U.S. surveys have collected information on mental health conditions, including AUD, SUD, and PTSD. These surveys include the Epidemiological Catchment Area program, the National Comorbidity Survey , and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions .
Alcohol Can Make Ptsd Symptoms Worse
You may drink because using alcohol distracts you from your problems for a short time. You should know, though, that drinking makes it harder to concentrate, be productive, and enjoy your life.
Using too much alcohol makes it harder to cope with stress and your trauma memories. Alcohol use and intoxication can increase some PTSD symptoms. Examples of symptoms that can get worse are:
- feeling numb or having no emotions
- being cut off from others
- feeling angry and irritable
- feeling depressed
- feeling jittery or as if you are always on guard.
If you have PTSD, you may have trouble falling asleep or problems with waking up during the night. You may “medicate” yourself with alcohol because you think it’s helping your sleep. In fact, using too much alcohol can get in the way of restful sleep. Alcohol changes the quality of your sleep and makes it less refreshing.
If you have PTSD, you may have bad dreams or nightmares. You may drink because you think using alcohol will help you avoid bad dreams or how scary they are. Yet avoiding the bad memories and dreams actually prolongs PTSDavoidance makes PTSD last longer. You cannot make as much progress in treatment if you avoid your problems. Alcohol use problems make PTSD treatment less effective.
When you suddenly stop drinking, the nightmares often get worse. Working with your doctor on the best way to reduce or stop your drinking makes cutting back on alcohol easier. You will be more likely to have success in your efforts.
Recommended Reading: What States Offer Free Tuition To Veterans Dependents
More On Treatment: Withdrawal Symptoms Detoxification And Therapy
Since alcohol withdrawal can have life-threatening side effects, detox should be done in a professional setting under the supervision of a medically licensed staff. Detox programs last up to 7 days and will be the foundation of individuals sobriety. Some common side effects of alcohol withdrawal include:
During the initial phase of detox, PTSD symptoms may increase as the mind adjusts to functioning and coping without alcohol. Medication is commonly used to address various aspects of PTSD but will be monitored and prescribed, only if it will not feed into any pre-existing addictions. Licensed professionals will be able to modify doses and types of medication to meet the individual needs of patients.
Talk therapy is a crucial aspect of treatment for co-occurring PTSD and alcohol use. Working with a therapist or psychologist is the best way to address the root causes of both PTSD and alcohol dependence. Understanding the development of these co-occurring conditions will help you overcome them.
Holistic healing modalities should always be added to every treatment program. Services like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and herbal therapy can improve mindfulness and reduce stress. This inner strength will aid patients in overcoming recovery and mental health challenges.
Ptsd And Alcohol In Veterans
Combat veterans are more likely to struggle with alcohol abuse, whether they have PTSD or not. Military service is associated with an increased risk of substance abuse disorder.6 Veterans might drink more as a means to connect socially with other veterans or as a way to cope with military trauma.
PTSD and alcohol abuse are also common in veterans. The National Center for PTSD reports that 60 to 80 percent of Vietnam veterans seeking care for PTSD also show problem drinking behaviors.7 Veterans are also more likely to engage in binge drinking, consuming a large quantity of alcohol over a short period.8
Read Also: How Many People Are On Disability Benefits
Trauma And Ptsd Can Lead To Problems With Alcohol
Going through a traumawhether or not you develop PTSDcan lead to alcohol use problems. Up to three quarters of people who survived abuse or violent traumatic events report drinking problems. Up to a third of those who survive traumatic accidents, illness, or disaster report drinking problems. Alcohol problems are more common for those who experience trauma if they have ongoing health problems or pain.
Gender is an important factor as well. Women who have PTSD at some point in their lives are 2.5 times more likely to also have alcohol abuse or dependence than women who never have PTSD. Men are 2.0 times more likely to have alcohol problems if they have PTSD than men who never do not have PTSD.
Between six and eight of every ten Vietnam Veterans seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use problems. War Veterans with PTSD and alcohol problems tend to be binge drinkers. Binge drinking is when a person drinks a lot of alcohol in a short period of time . Binges may be in response to memories of trauma. Veterans over the age of 65 with PTSD are at higher risk for a suicide attempt if they also have drinking problems or depression.
Ptsd And Alcohol Use Disorder
Whether its an event or a series of events, going through trauma leaves its mark on people in various ways. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one outcome for people who have experienced trauma. Studies show that PTSD and alcohol use disorder are closely related. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly one-third of those who survive traumatic events such as accidents, violent crimes, or near-death experiences reported drinking problems.
Don’t Miss: How Does Short Term Disability Work For Surgery
What Is The Va Disability Rating
But, what is the VA disability rating, you wonder?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs supports a VA disability rating, which is a compensation coverage devised to help get the needed funds to each struggling veteran in need. The rating works by giving each condition you struggle with a percentage on a severity rating scale from 0 to 100%.
The higher you are on the scale, the more financial assistance you may claim for your treatment services.
As a result, if you have PTSD alongside an alcohol use disorder, the VA rates alcoholism co-occurring conditions at 70%, thus allowing clients more financial assistance and flexibility to find the right rehab for them when they seek out treatment.
VA Disability Rating Benefits for Primary Service-Connected Disorder and Secondary Service Connection Disability Benefits
Now, a VA rating may seem like a free case evaluation to open the door to treatment. But in actuality, the process can be a little more complex than getting diagnosed with a substance use issue or mental disorder.
In order to receive a disability rating for PTSD and thus financial assistance for treatment, a client must undergo an evaluation to determine whether their PTSD condition is a primary or secondary disorder. Suppose PTSD is proven to be a side effect of alcohol abuse. In that case, the condition is considered secondary and may disqualify a client from receiving their disability benefits or compensation.
How Alcohol Abuse And Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Correlate With Service Connection And Veterans Affairs
Many active military members and veterans struggle with at least one form of substance abuse. And as we stated before, nearly 2 million veterans and active military members struggle with mental health issues alongside substance abuse.
Currently, post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common mental health problems for veterans to wrestle with. Researchers estimate that nearly 20% of veterans have PTSD and co-occurring alcohol use disorder.
But how does alcohol abuse tie into PTSD as a service-connected disability?
Remember how we mentioned people developing coping mechanisms to deal with trauma? And how can there be healthy and unhealthy ways to cope with stressful situations?
Well, for many veterans and even active military service officers who drink alcohol, drinking is their attempt at self-medicating to cope with the trauma they have encountered due to their service.
In many instances, retired and active military personnel do not drink as an act involving conscious wrongdoing. Many drinks not to engage in willful misconduct but to try and help themselves cope with the pain, physically or mentally, they are experiencing.
And you can get the help you need to succeed in rehab.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Off Disability Benefits
The Veterans Administration Weighs In
The VA reports that PTSD and alcohol use problems are related. People with PTSD are more likely to have drinking problems. Likewise, people with drinking problems often have PTSD. According to the VA, having PTSD and alcohol use problems at the same time can make the symptoms of each worse.
Unfortunately, war veterans with PTSD tend to be binge drinkers. Binge drinking is often in response to trauma memories. Worse, veterans with PTSD are at a significantly higher risk for suicide if their problems are accompanied by drinking and depression.
Treatment For Ptsd And Alcoholism
Trauma survivors dont have to stay trapped in addiction to alcohol. Treatment facilities offer the safety needed to heal with caring, trustworthy staff members. Studies and surveys have shown tremendous healing and recovery from PTSD sufferers who attend rehab. Treatment methods used to help PTSD sufferers recovery from alcoholism include:
- Treatment for co-occurring disorders including PTSD
- Finding like-minded peer groups for connection
- Access to spiritual-based treatments like meditation
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to explore solutions to behavioral challenges
- Access to therapists to discuss underlying life challenges for alcoholism
- Treatment for other substances abused with alcohol
- Access to 12-Step groups
- Safe detox for expecting mothers struggling with alcohol addiction
Will Your Insurance Cover Rehab?
Don’t Miss: Is My Va Disability Compensation Taxable
Compliance With Disease Management
One of the most difficult challenges among psychological professionals is to get patients with a dual diagnosis to comply with their treatment plan. Many PTSD patients feel out of control already in their lives due to their disorder and the accompanying symptoms. When they also experience a dependency on alcohol, they feel out of control completely and seek to regain some of this control.
In so doing, they often turn to more alcohol or get off of their treatment plan because they want to be independent in their choices in life. However, someone in this state is not in control and the more they try to fight their treatment, the deeper in the hole they will get.
How To Understand Substance Use Drug Abuse And Excessive Alcohol Use As Mental Disorders
Currently, due to the Affordable Care Act and substance abuse disorders close connection with other mental health issues, a substance use disorder can receive service-connected disability benefits for addiction treatment.
It may be strange to think of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, and withdrawal symptoms in the scope of a mental health problem.
But by definition, a substance use disorder is a mental illness. However, there is a catch. In the eyes of the VA disability ratings, substance use disorders and addiction without the occurrence of a mental health issue like PTSD are not by themselves a VA disability.
And thus, even though a veterans problematic alcohol use can, in some instances, qualify for VA disability benefits and services. Not all alcohol and drug use disorders can receive disability benefits.
Read Also: How To File For Va Disability
Interventions For Prevention Of Ptsd And Aud
To our knowledge, no study has examined strategies that aim to prevent the development of comorbid PTSD and AUD in military and veteran populations. However, some research has examined the prevention of PTSD or AUD separately in this population, which could inform the prevention of comorbid PTSD and AUD.
Aud And Ptsd Through The Lens Of Adhd
ADHD has long been associated with early alcohol consumption, risky use of alcohol, AUD, and substance use disorder . Research suggests that the prevalence of ADHD in adults with AUD ranges from 19.9% to 33%.5 This population is also more prone to alcohol relapses.
The comorbidity of PTSD and ADHD in children and adults has been established in a growing body of literature. Some prospective studies suggest that patients with ADHD who experience traumatic events are more likely to engage in risky behavior related to ADHD impulsivity and difficulty around planning.6,7
A review of 22 studies examining the relationship between ADHD and PTSD found a somewhat greater risk for PTSD in patients with ADHD than vice versa . These findings indicate a bidirectional link between the two disorders. 8,9 Previous data also suggest PTSD is associated with higher levels of childhood and adult ADHD.
Also Check: Do You Have To Pay Back Long Term Disability Insurance
Va Ratings Ptsd And Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment
Trauma can do a great deal of damage to us as individuals. And our bodys responses to trauma, like the development of PTSD and addiction, can also be rather challenging to live with.
But just because addiction and PTSD are hard to deal with and can have life-threatening consequences sometimes, it does not make them impossible to treat.
Of course, it can be challenging to admit you need help with PTSD or addiction. And it can only get more complicated for you to start treatment if you feel you are making a financial burden on yourself or your family.
Luckily insurance companies work to provide clients with access to traditional rehab services, even if their disability benefits cannot cover the cost of addiction treatment. Drug and alcohol treatment centers like our own St. Johns Recovery Place do their best to make their services as affordable as possible. But if you or a loved one once served in the United States military, are actively protecting our country, and have developed PTSD, an AUD, a co-occurring disorder, or injury resulting from your service.
You should know that even more assistance programs and opportunities are available to you!