If you’re considering opioid therapy, the best thing you can do for yourself is to explore non-opioid treatment alternatives and learn more about the risks and dangers associated with opioids. This is especially true for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as PTSD and opioid addiction often accompany each other.
Keep reading to gain more insight into the connection between PTSD and opioid addiction and find out how people suffering from PTSD can reduce the risk of developing an opioid use disorder.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that stems from witnessing or experiencing a distressing, scary, or life-threatening event. It can also be caused by a series of traumatic experiences rather than one incident. Even though PTSD is most commonly associated with veterans, it can affect anyone.
Some examples of traumatic events that may lead to PTSD include:
- War
- Assault
- Abuse
- Car accidents
- Natural disasters
- Unexpected death of a loved one
While most people eventually recover after traumatic experiences, some experience distressing symptoms, such as flashbacks and increased irritability, for months and even years after the event.
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
The signs and symptoms of PTSD are classified into four categories: avoidance, intrusive memories, hyperarousal and reactivity, and mood and cognition changes.
Let’s discuss them in greater depth:
- Avoidance. People with PTSD may avoid remembering or refuse to talk about the traumatic experience. They may also avoid places, people, activities, and situations that remind them of the traumatic event.
- Intrusive memories. PTSD often manifests in the form of repeated disturbing memories, nightmares, and flashbacks, which can make you feel as if you are reliving the traumatic event.
- Mood and cognition changes. People suffering from PTSD tend to experience feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness. Memory problems, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and negative thinking patterns are also common.
- Hyperarousal and reactivity. Those with PTSD may struggle with anger outbursts, hypervigilance, and irritability. It is also not uncommon to have trouble sleeping and focusing. Individuals with PTSD are also at an increased risk of opioid and substance abuse in an attempt to self-medicate.
PTSD and Chronic Pain Management
PTSD and chronic pain often co-occur, especially in certain demographics. While anyone can fall victim to both PTSD and chronic pain, veterans, in particular, are highly susceptible to these conditions due to the dangerous, stressful, and physically and emotionally demanding nature of military service.
In 2021, nearly 28% of U.S. veterans had chronic pain, and just above 9% suffered from high-impact chronic pain. While the prevalence of PTSD among the general population struggling with chronic pain is almost 10%, more than 50% of veterans with chronic pain also suffer from PTSD.
Even though using opioids for chronic pain management is not recommended in most cases, having a comorbid diagnosis of PTSD and persistent pain can make you more likely to receive opioids. One study found that 64% of veterans were prescribed opioids to treat chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), with PTSD increasing the likelihood of receiving prescription opioids.
Similarly, a 2019 study found that people with co-occurring PTSD and CNCP are more likely to be prescribed opioids, receive them in higher doses, and use more than one type of opioid concurrently. The study also found that PTSD increases the risk of opioid abuse and opioid use disorder (OUD) in CNCP patients.
PTSD and Opioid Abuse
PTSD and opioid abuse often accompany each other. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people with PTSD to abuse opioids (i.e., take them in any other way than prescribed, such as in higher doses or more frequently than instructed, mixed with other drugs, etc.) in hopes of soothing pain, be it physical or psychological.
Furthermore, PTSD can be easily misdiagnosed, especially among those who also suffer from severe pain.
Though PTSD is a psychiatric condition, whereas pain is primarily physical, their symptoms can overlap, with both conditions causing mood changes, irritability, sleep disturbances, and other similar problems. This can make diagnosing and treating either one or both conditions more challenging.
It also doesn’t help that PTSD and pain can exacerbate one another. For instance, accident-related PTSD can make you more sensitive to pain, whereas physical pain might act as a reminder of the traumatic event, triggering flashbacks and other PTSD symptoms. This can further increase the risk of opioid abuse.
Sadly, some people with untreated PTSD attempt to self-medicate with opioids as a result of not receiving proper treatment for their condition. After all, it is no secret that opioids not only relieve pain by interacting with opioid receptors but also induce feelings of euphoria and a sense of heightened well-being by stimulating dopamine release.
Nonetheless, opioid abuse is extremely dangerous, as it can increase the risk of severe opioid side effects, dependence, addiction, and overdose. For this reason, you should take opioids strictly as prescribed.
On that note, let’s dig deeper into the relationship between PTSD and opioid addiction by discussing whether OUD is a symptom of PTSD.
Is Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) a Symptom of PTSD?
Opioid use disorder (OUD)—also known as opioid addiction—is not a symptom of PTSD. However, many people with PTSD suffer from pain and abuse various substances, including opioids. Therefore, it is no coincidence that PTSD and opioid addiction often co-occur, with nearly one in five people with OUD suffering from PTSD.
Nonetheless, anyone who takes opioids can develop opioid dependence and addiction, including those who take them precisely as instructed.
OUD is characterized by the problematic, compulsive use of opioids that continues despite negative consequences. People with OUD cannot stop taking these powerful medications, even when it wreaks havoc on their lives.
More often than not, OUD develops from untreated opioid dependence. Over time, repeated opioid exposure alters brain chemistry, leading to increased tolerance, which is a sign of physical dependence. Once you become dependent, you will not feel the drug’s effects without increasing the dosage.
Moreover, if you stop taking opioids, you will experience distressing opioid withdrawal symptoms. This significantly increases the risk of opioid abuse, as some people may take more opioids than prescribed or seek illicit drugs to satisfy cravings. Eventually, this can develop into OUD.
Now that you know more about PTSD and opioid addiction, it’s time to discuss the risks of OUD.
Risks of Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid overdose is, by far, the greatest risk of opioid use disorder. This life-threatening emergency occurs when you take a larger amount of opioids than your body can safely metabolize. Receiving prompt medical treatment is essential to reverse an overdose and prevent death.
Call 911 immediately if you notice the following signs of an opioid overdose:
- Confusion
- Pinpoint pupils
- Slow heartbeat
- Unresponsiveness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Slowed, shallow breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Pale, discolored lips and skin
Moreover, long-term opioid use and OUD can increase the risk of:
- Urinary retention
- Fertility problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic constipation
- Respiratory depression
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Lung, liver, and other organ damage
- Coma
- Death
When it comes to PTSD and opioid addiction, keep in mind that OUD can exacerbate mental health conditions. Luckily, OUD is a treatable condition—no matter how long you’ve been struggling with it, rest assured you can recover from it.
How to Prevent OUD If You Are Dealing With PTSD/Chronic Pain
The only foolproof way to prevent OUD if you are dealing with PTSD or chronic pain is to avoid taking opioids altogether. All opioids—even relatively weak ones, such as tramadol—can lead to dependence and addiction.
As such, it’s in your best interest to explore non-opioid treatment options with your healthcare provider and learn more about the risks associated with opioids before initiating opioid therapy.
If prescription opioids are your only option, here’s what you can do to avoid developing comorbid PTSD and opioid addiction:
- Take opioids in minimal doses and for as little time as possible.
- Never increase your opioid dosage or frequency of use without your doctor’s permission.
- Do not mix opioids with any other substances—alcohol, other prescription medications, herbal medicines, etc.—your doctor hasn’t approved of.
Most importantly, seek treatment for PTSD alongside pain management and work closely with your doctor throughout your treatment. Track and openly discuss your pain levels, share your concerns with them, and inform them about any side effects you experience while taking opioids.
ANR Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a groundbreaking opioid dependence treatment that has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide return to an opioid-free life and forget the risk of relapse.
ANR is the only treatment that tackles the neurochemical causes of opioid dependence by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system. By restoring the brain to its pre-addiction state, the ANR treatment eliminates cravings and other withdrawal symptoms, negating the risk of relapse. As such, it has an exceptionally high success rate.
Most importantly, ANR is performed in accordance with the highest standards of quality, care, and safety. The treatment is performed in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals by highly experienced board-certified healthcare professionals.
Better yet, the ANR procedure takes around 4–6 hours, whereas the hospital stay for our patients lasts only 36 hours on average!
Contact us today for a free consultation—we’ll be happy to answer your questions, ease your concerns, and guide you through your recovery journey.
Key Takeaways
The bottom line is that PTSD and drug addiction can be linked, which is why you should avoid opioid medications whenever possible.
Lastly, let’s reiterate the key points we covered:
- Characterized by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hyperreactivity, PTSD is a mental health disorder that can result from traumatic events.
- Studies show that people with PTSD are more likely to be prescribed opioids due to their injuries and abuse them, which explains the correlation between PTSD and opioid addiction.
- ANR is a proven treatment that can help you break free from opioid dependence within a matter of days—even if you’ve been struggling with it for years.
PTSD and Opioid Addiction FAQ
Painkillers can help people with PTSD manage trauma-related pain, but it doesn’t mean they are safe. Some pain medications, such as opioids, can increase the risk of developing comorbid PTSD and addiction, especially when abused. For your safety, always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking your medication.
Around 46% of people with PTSD have a substance use disorder in the United States, according to a study carried out in 2010. Moreover, nearly 42% of Americans suffering from PTSD struggle with alcohol abuse and dependence, while slightly above 22% solely abuse drugs.
People with PTSD can undergo ANR treatment. At ANR Clinic, we tailor the treatment to each patient’s medical history and needs, allowing us to safely treat virtually anyone, including those with comorbid conditions such as PTSD. For more information, reach out to us and schedule a free, 100% confidential consultation.
