PTSD+and+Alcohol+Comorbidity

__PTSD and Alchol Comorbidity__

Jacobsen, Southwick and Kosten (2001) state that PTSD and substance dependance are functionally related to one another with PTSD preceding dependance. The primary goal of usage is to alleviate symptoms of PTSD (Jacobsen et al, 2001). However, it was found that the physiological arousal of many substances can exacerbate the symptoms of PTSD (Jacobsen et al, 2001). Among men with PTSD, alcohol abuse and dependance is the most common co-occuring disorder, followed by depression, other anxiety disorders, and nonalcohol drug dependance (Jacobsen et al, 2001). Women have a higher co-occurence of depression and anxiety with substance use and secondly, PTSD and alchol (Jacobsen et al, 2001). An explanation for this could be the higher occurance of men in combat, as 75% of war veterans suffer from PTSD symptoms (Jacobsen et al, 2001).

Jacobsen et al (2001) cite two pathways to co-morbidity:  There are many links between alcohol use, and PTSD, although there is not enough evidence for absolute causation. Common sense about the nature of alcohol and the symptoms of PTSD suggests that alcohol use is a way to lessen the symptoms of the disorder, and there appears to be evidence that drinking increases with onset of PTSD (Wu et al., 2006).
 * 1) Substance abuse precedes PTSD- To sustain the habit, individuals place themselves in dangerous situations in which they may experience high physical or psychological trauma.
 * 2) PTSD precedes substance abuse-To deal with symptoms, the individual self medicates. The common drug is alcohol as it is a CNS depressant, however it acutely increases PTSD arousal symptoms and reduces the startle response.

Since alcohol is a depressant drug, it would make sense that those suffering from PTSD might become dependent, since the symptomology of that disorder is characterized by anxiety, racing thoughts, and a general over-sensitized sort of behaviour in life.

While research may not be conclusive in terms of causality, it makes sense considering what we've learned about alcohol and its effects on the nervous system that there would be a positive correlation between PTSD and alcohol use, simply to relieve the symptoms of the disorder (Wu et al, 2006).

There is a suggestion that having PTSD makes it more likely that a problem with alcohol will develop, and also brings up the idea of dependance and withdrawal, where the sufferers of PTSD find themselves needing alcohol in order to cope with symptoms, and where they experience unpleasant symptoms if they attempt to stop drinking. ( Curtis, 2009)

The trouble with alcohol can develop gradually, where the sufferer of PTSD slowly integrates use into their activities, without seeing the impact the substance has on dealing with their symptoms. (Curtis, 2009)

Alcohol use is substituted for more healthy behaviours, in order to deal with the symptoms associated with the disorder. It discusses the notion that using alcohol in this way can lead to dependence, a notion that is brought up in class regarding substance use. Since PTSD is characterized by racing thoughts, recurrent memories, and anxiety about the experienced event, it makes sense that alcohol would be used to counteract the effects of these symptoms. Obviously, this is only a temporary solution and merely exacerbates the problem.( Curtis, 2009)

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