Embarking on a journey to cut down or go alcohol-free is a significant step towards a healthier, happier life. To help you along this empowering path, it’s essential to get clear on your reasons for making this positive decision. Understanding that problematic drinking exists along a broad spectrum can empower people to seek help proactively. Positive change comes in various forms, from seeking therapy to explore healthier coping mechanisms to finding support within peer networks and educational resources. The first step in addressing problematic drinking is to redefine what it entails.

Participants

Patients allocated to PE, EMDR or ImRs receive PTSD and SUD treatment simultaneously (75% of the sample), whereas patients in the 3-month SUD treatment only condition receive PTSD treatment after completing 3 months SUD treatment (25% of the sample). Patients in the SUD treatment only condition are randomly allocated to either PE (33% chance), EMDR (33% chance) or ImRs (33% chance) and start with the PTSD treatment after the 3 months follow-up assessment (T1). A random selection of sessions will be rated for treatment fidelity by trained junior researchers, using fidelity rating scales that were constructed in consultation with the professionals who provided the therapist training, before the start of the trial. For each treatment type, we will determine adherence to the protocol and test whether the rated sessions contained more elements of the allocated treatment type compared to elements of the other treatment types, to test treatment differentiation. This will be done with a simple t-test or non-parametric test, depending on the distribution of the data. In case a participant in the sequential condition is free of PTSD symptoms at the first follow-up measure (T1), the participant will still start with the PTSD treatment until these criteria of early response are reached.

Symptom Tracker

Furthermore, studies directly comparing simultaneous with sequential treatment are lacking. More knowledge about this subject is necessary to improve treatment guidelines for co-occurring PTSD and SUD and enhance treatment outcomes of patients with this common comorbidity. Epidemiologic studies as well as studies in treatment-seeking populations converge to support the finding that early-life trauma is common in people with alcohol dependence. There are a number of potential mechanistic explanations for the connection between early-life trauma and the development of alcohol dependence.

Understanding the Link Between PTSD and Alcohol Abuse

If you’ve decided to take a break from drinking, it’s wise to adapt your social activities accordingly. Consider alternatives like going out for dinner, brunch, or enjoying non-drinking-friendly activities such as a trip to the cinema or a live sports event. If you fear peer pressure might be overwhelming, it’s perfectly acceptable to decline invitations. As you progress in your alcohol-free or alcohol-reduced journey, you’ll find that navigating social situations becomes easier.

Military and veteran populations have a critical need for interventions that aim to reduce the burden of co-occurring PTSD and AUD. Treating these conditions simultaneously has been challenging and complex in the general population, and military service adds additional risk factors for the likelihood of their onset and maintenance. Although promising interventions exist, more research is needed to assess the degree to which current interventions are effective for service members and veterans. Also, new interventions that target this population should be developed and tested. Among military and veteran populations, the risk for both PTSD and alcohol misuse may vary because of differences in demographic factors, aspects of military culture, and trauma or stress exposure.

• Trauma is any event or situation that leaves you feeling unsafe, afraid, or hurt long after the event itself.
• Are there significant differences in the occurrence and trajectory of PTSD and AUD among racial and ethnic minorities?
• Women with PTSD are 2.5 times more likely than other women to overdrink or develop an alcohol addiction.
• Regardless, relapse is common, and it is critical to consider the potential toxic interactions that may occur between the prescribed medication and alcohol.

This durable comorbidity has been found in large, small, representative, and targeted samples. U.S. surveys, such as the St. Louis sample of the ECA,8 the NCS,16 and the NESARC,23 have consistently found relationships between alcohol problems and PTSD. These positive sensations can alleviate the negative side effects of PTSD for a short time, but once those chemicals leave your body, you’ll be left feeling even worse than before. This can lead some people to drink again, leaving them trapped in a vicious cycle. Addiction to alcohol and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) are very commonly present together as those who have experienced trauma often turn to alcohol to numb their pain.

To limit this possibility, only disclosure of the timing will be given after randomization and disclosure of the treatment type will be done at the start of their first session of PTSD treatment, so that the therapist can motivate the patient for this kind of treatment. Another limitation is that the power might be too low to detect small differences in effectiveness between types of PTSD treatment. Finally, due to the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ COVID-19 outbreak, temporarily adjustments in both treatment as well as measurements had to be made. Besides effects of these changes on measurements, there is possibly also a general effect of COVID-19 and the lockdown measures on the well-being of the participants.

Finding Treatment for Alcohol Addiction and PTSD

• However, several studies have been conducted to examine the effectiveness of PE specifically in patients with co-occurring PTSD and SUD.
• When trauma occurs earlier in life, the risk for substance use issues increases.
• Integrated treatment that addresses both disorders is important to begin recovery.
• Finally, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, temporarily adjustments in both treatment as well as measurements had to be made.
• A positive history of traumatic events was reported by 139 participants (74%).

Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. Get in touch with a member of our team today to learn how we can support you in your recovery, or learn more about our program. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery.

Serious road traffic accidents constituted the most frequent trauma type and a substantial proportion of PTSD cases were attributed to this trauma type (Table 1). Fifty-six per cent of the participants reported a positive history of driving under the influence of alcohol. Events that most frequently resulted in PTSD were torture (53%), being threatened with a weapon/kidnapped/held captive (39%), and sexual assault (37%). A critical aspect of Alcohol Usage Disorders often overlooked is its strong connection with PTSD, a condition triggered by traumatic experiences. Trauma survivors often wrestle with a relentless barrage of distressing symptoms. In their pursuit of relief, some individuals turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication, to numb their symptoms and flashbacks, or to try ptsd and alcohol abuse to feel a bit more in control of their thoughts and daily life.