Trauma and Alcohol Misuse: What's the Connection?
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You constantly feel on edge, in a perpetual state of anxiety and stress. You have trouble sleeping and just can’t seem to relax. The only relief you get comes from alcohol, but even then, it never seems to last: you always return to a high-strung state of hypervigilance.
Living with trauma can be incredibly debilitating, affecting nearly every part of our lives. In this post, we’ll gain insight into why people who have experienced trauma are more likely to struggle with alcohol misuse. We’ll also look at healthier coping mechanisms and ways to heal from trauma. What is the link between PTSD and alcoholism (as well as complex trauma and alcohol)? Let’s get started.
There are many different definitions for trauma, but at root, trauma is the lasting emotional response resulting from experiencing a distressing event. Trauma can be experienced in a number of different settings: at home, school, or in the wider community.
There are a number of different types of trauma, which generally fall into two categories: type 1 and type 2 trauma. Type 1 trauma — otherwise referred to as shock or acute trauma — refers to unexpected, single-incident traumas:
Type 2 trauma — otherwise referred to as complex trauma — describes trauma which may have been experienced as part of childhood or in the early stages of development. It might involve repeated events, like ongoing emotional abuse or childhood neglect:
Some experts break down traumas into “big T” and “little t” events. “Big T” traumas are usually associated with things like military combat and sexual assault. “Little t” traumas may involve emotional abuse or bullying. However, it’s worth noting that repeated exposure to “little t” traumas may cause as much emotional harm as exposure to “big T” traumas.
Trauma can happen at any age and each person’s experience is unique. But trauma usually has lasting adverse effects on our mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. These are some of the more common symptoms of trauma:
Trauma can also become evident physically through chronic pain, sleep problems, chest pain, or headaches. While not everyone who has experienced a traumatic event will have long-lasting effects, around 20% of people will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Research shows that going through a trauma — whether or not we develop PTSD — can lead to alcohol misuse. In fact, up to 75% of people who survive abuse or violent traumatic events report drinking problems. Up to a third of those who survive traumatic accidents, illness, or disaster report misusing alcohol.
Interestingly, the risk is slightly higher for women: studies show that women with PTSD are 2.5 times more likely to struggle with alcohol misuse than women without PTSD, while men with PTSD are 2 times more likely than men without it.
Furthermore, in a survey of adolescents receiving treatment for substance use, more than 70% had a history of trauma exposure. And 60-80% of Vietnam veterans seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use issues, often binge drinking in response to traumatic memories.
What is it about trauma that can cause people to struggle with alcohol misuse? To understand this connection, it’s helpful to first look at how trauma affects the brain. We might not realize it, but undergoing trauma can cause long-term changes in our neurobiology.
Researchers have found that trauma physically alters the structure and function of our brain. Three different areas of the brain are most affected by trauma:
Taken together, these changes in the brain can cause unpleasant symptoms associated with trauma, such as panic, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. Essentially, when we experience trauma, our alarm system becomes overly sensitive and is triggered much more easily. This can leave us in a perpetual state of “alarm,” wreaking havoc on our mental and physical health.
To alleviate these symptoms, many people who experienced trauma start turning to alcohol or other substances for temporary relief. They might use alcohol to manage or numb their emotions, or avoid or forget traumatic memories. Since alcohol triggers the release of dopamine — the “feel good” chemical — drinking alcohol can help us feel better, but only temporarily.
Sadly, even though alcohol can provide a sense of relief, it actually worsens and prolongs trauma-related symptoms. In fact, studies show that alcohol can increase anger and irritability, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This can create a dangerous cycle.
For instance, many people with trauma have trouble falling and staying asleep due to memories related to trauma or intrusive thoughts. They might turn to alcohol to help them relax and get a good night’s sleep. However, research confirms that alcohol disrupts our sleep and reduces overall quality. Inadequate sleep further contributes to a poor mood and anxiety, which can cause us to turn to alcohol for relief, perpetuating a destructive cycle.
Furthermore, research shows that if we have both PTSD and alcohol misuse, we’re more likely to have other mental or physical health problems. For instance, up to half of adults with both PTSD and alcohol misuse have one more of the following problems:
The bottom line? While alcohol can briefly dull the effects of trauma or manage associated distress, it doesn’t treat the underlying cause and ends up exacerbating symptoms over time.
Healing and recovering from trauma is not easy, but it is possible. It usually involves participating in trauma-focused psychotherapy. These are a few of the most effective types:
Depending on the severity of our condition, a medical professional might also prescribe certain medications to help us manage symptoms. The most commonly prescribed medications for trauma are antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac. Research shows that these medications can help control some of the main symptoms of trauma, such as sadness, anxiety, anger, and sleep problems.
In addition to psychotherapy, self-care techniques that nourish our mental and physical well-being can be helpful. While we might not experience immediate relief, practicing these regularly will likely lead to improvements:
Trauma comes in many different forms. While each person’s experience is unique, it often leaves a lasting impact that wreaks havoc on our physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. It’s not uncommon for people suffering from trauma to turn to alcohol as a way to cope with the difficult thoughts and emotions related to their experience. While alcohol provides temporary relief, it only exacerbates symptoms in the long run. To truly heal and recover, it’s vital to seek professional treatment in the form of psychotherapy and/or medication.
If you’ve been using alcohol to cope with trauma, consider trying Reframe. We’re a neuroscience-backed app that has helped millions of people cut back on their alcohol consumption and become healthier, happier versions of themselves.
1. What is trauma?
Trauma comes in many different forms. Type 1 trauma refers to a single-incident trauma, including things like violent assault, sexual assault, military combat, severe illness, or a road accident. Type 2 trauma refers to things we may have experienced in childhood and can involve repeated events, such as ongoing emotional abuse or childhood neglect.
2. What are the symptoms of trauma?
Trauma usually has lasting effects on our mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being. Some of the more common symptoms include intrusive thoughts, avoidance, hypervigilance, negative outlook, and difficulty controlling emotions.
3. What is the relationship between trauma and alcohol misuse?
Research shows that people who experience trauma are at a greater risk for misusing alcohol or developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). This is largely because people suffering from trauma turn to alcohol to cope with symptoms or numb their feelings associated with the traumatic event. Sadly, even though alcohol can provide a sense of relief, it actually ends up exacerbating symptoms in the long-run.
4. How can we heal from trauma?
Psychotherapy is one of the most effective methods for recovering from trauma. It might include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
5. What are healthy ways to cope with trauma?
Certain self-care techniques that nourish our body and mind, such as mindfulness, exercise, and journaling, can be effective and healthy ways to cope with trauma.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
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And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
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