Post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders
Association of PTSD and substance dependencies / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect about 3.6% of the U.S. population each year, and 6.8% of the U.S. population over a lifetime.[1] 8.4% of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUD).[2] Of those with a diagnosis of PTSD, a co-occurring, or comorbid diagnosis of a SUD is present in 20–35% of that clinical population.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/PTSD.png/220px-PTSD.png)
Prevalence of SUD and PTSD may increase depending on specific populations. For example, the prevalence of both PTSD and SUD is higher in combat veterans.[3] Other populations that are disproportionately affected by both of these disorders include women,[4] members of the black and hispanic populations,[5] and members of the LGBTQ community.[6]Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the leading cause of SUD amongst veterans who have experienced trauma.[7] While research indicates that alcohol is the most abused substance by those diagnosed with PTSD, additional substances with high abuse rates include other depressants such as cannabis and opiates, as well as the stimulant cocaine."[8]
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Alcoholic_beverages.jpg/640px-Alcoholic_beverages.jpg)
Worsening PTSD symptoms are associated with increased SUD and poor treatment response [9] Of those with a SUD diagnosis, current PTSD is present in 25–50%, and lifetime PTSD is present in 15–40%, averaging 30% overall.[3] Though roughly a third of all people diagnosed with SUD also have PTSD, there is not yet consistent protocol for SUD treatment centers to screen for both PTSD and SUD symptomology upon intake.[10]
The presence of both PTSD and SUD can hinder outcomes of those seeking treatment for either PTSD or SUD. A few different treatment options include trauma focused treatments such as psychotherapy, non trauma focused treatments, and pharmacological treatments like medications that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms or SSRI's.Those who experience both diagnoses may generally have poorer overall functioning and worse overall well-being than each diagnosis by itself.[3][11] This can manifest as being hospitalized more frequently, experiencing increased levels of legal issues, have less social support, and have a harder time retaining employment.[12][11] In treatment these individuals can have high dropout rates, respond poorly to the treatment of PTSD in general, have greater levels of addiction severity, and shorter periods of remission for substance use treatment.[11][10][13]