Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse - Research Paper Example

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Abuse Abstract: In the present age which is characterized by fierce competitiveness on every level in society, the rate of psychological stress is also exceptionally high. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one disturbing ramification of this stress which is also linked to a broad range of other mental health issues like social alienation, drug abuse, self-harm etc. The subject of PTSD has profound depths and it is picked to be discussed at length in this research paper in relation to substance abuse for two reasons. First, nearly every person complains of stress today due to one reason or another and second, substance abuse is highly common among such victims of PTSD. The connection between stress and substance abuse forms a subject which interests many and it is also open to multiple interpretations due to its prevalence and depth. There is a wide variety of causes of substance abuse and this research paper aims to prove with the help of research evidence that PTSD is the leading cause. It is worth mentioning here that unlike many other studies pertaining to stress disorders and substance abuse, this paper will focus on this issue through the lens of both scientific research and biblical evidence. Not much is known by general public about what the Bible has to say on the subject of PTSD and its co-morbid aspects like substance abuse. So in order to take a slightly different approach to this highly important subject, following discussion will provide a combination of biblical and theoretical perspectives. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Abuse: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the commonest anxiety or psychological disorders which affect millions around the globe. From those who are going through personal tragedy of some kind to the scarred soldiers who return from the battlefield to those who witness some blood-curdling catastrophe to emergency workers working under perilous conditions, PTSD can affect anyone regardless of socioeconomic barriers. Most commonly, this grave disorder picks momentum as a consequence of experiencing some kind of a catastrophe. General consensus is that PTSD is a severe mental condition and a staggering percentage of population which already suffers from PTSD also experiences one or more of its co-morbid aspects like substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders etc. Research also confirms that 50% population diagnosed of PTSD also abuses alcohol and other substances on a regular basis. Signs and symptoms of PTSD are found among 37% of people addicted to alcohol and 53% of people abusing other drugs or substances (DrugAbuse.com, 2015). This study published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that there is a definite link between PTSD and substance abuse. Both entities are inextricably linked to one another. Research also illustrates that more than 8.9 million Americans have both a mental health issue like PTSD and a substance abuse issue (DrugAbuse.com, 2015). So, this research paper aims to explore this relationship of intricate complexity between PTSD and substance abuse. Following discussion will not be supported by contemporary research evidence alone. Rather, it will also advantage from spiritual perspective to see what the Bible has to say on the subject. Substance abuse, a consequence of PTSD, is characterized by pathological use of stress-relief medicines or other substances like marijuana etc. Consequences of substance abuse range from failure to fulfill academic or professional responsibilities to interpersonal conflicts to problems with the law. According to eMedicineHealth (2012), 60% of men in the US at least once go through such an experience in life which is traumatic enough to cause PTSD, while 50% of women in the US have reported to experience such events. It should be remembered that trauma is a cause of PTSD and stress-related substance abuse is one of its many effects. Some traumatic events identified as the commonest causes of PTSD include participation in a war or battle, natural disasters like the Hurricane Katrina, car crashes, rape, sexual abuse, bullying, immediate death of a relative or friend, kidnapping, and neglect during childhood. It is very important to scrutinize the psychology behind this highly notorious practice of substance abuse or psychological mechanisms underlying it to establish its relationship with PTSD inducing events. Many psychological complications underlie substance abuse and the assessment of which not only uncovers PTSD, but also helps in effective treatment of a substance abuser. It is not uncommon for people dealing with severe stress to look up to alcohol or substances for mental relief. Most commonly, this pattern establishes in the youth because younger people have raw minds and significantly less experience which contributes to their abusive tendencies. This makes youth the most sensitive target when substance abuse is talked about. General idea is that it is a severe psychological disorder which has always scared off people due to its stigmatic nature. As one of the most catastrophic illnesses found in the world, it has always managed to threaten humanity around the globe. But, the catch-22 is that this illness which has its roots in the mind of a person can never be fully eradicated from the world unless its underlying mechanisms are properly addressed first. These mechanisms, mostly pertaining to PTSD, often remain poorly understood due to which the practice of substance abuse transforms into habit overtime. It is ethically and scientifically wrong to assume that people engaged in substance abuse can be taught the difference between right and wrong by having them locked up behind bars in tiny cells. Many abusers are forced to go through some very misguided rehabilitation programs due to lack of religious and moral guidance. It also happens due to absence of proper medical help. Much has been written about drug abuse from the biblical perspective, but there is still a general lack of awareness among people. A real Christian should hold the word of God above everything else in life. The Bible remains distinguished among a plethora of other books written on psychology behind stress and drug use in that it manages to effectively answer many questions in the mind of an abuser without depending on any coercive prods. Mental health institutions depend on coercive prods to steer substance abusers away from stress and drugs. But, the Bible starts by only asking people to believe in the word and existence of God. A firm belief in God is all that is required by the Bible. It may seem like a simple and easy thing on the surface, but reality is that such a firm belief, if present, always manages to keep people on the right track. For example, violating civil law translates into sinning against God. Civil law instructs people to stay away from mind-altering drugs as possession of some of such drugs in an amount even less than an ounce can lead to a yearlong sentence in prison. According to the Bible, disobeying or violating both natural and civil law is equal to committing a sin against God (Cook, 2009, p. 177). This means that the word of God imposes a strict ban on all drugs as a way to free people from the clutches of disorders like PTSD. According to the Bible, the goal of a Christian’s life should be to live in a way which is lined up “with the law in every way” (Cook, 2009, p. 177). It is the absence of religious involvement in our lives that more and more people in the present age become easy victims of substance abuse to seek relief from the stresses of daily life. This stress and related substance abuse discourage a person from going up the hierarchy toward the level of self-actualization. In contrast, the Bible urges people to seek peak experiences and become self-actualized. The Bible is so critical of all mind-altering drugs because God wants to see his people reach their full potential. Distress stemming from many life experiences like divorce, workplace failures, death of a relative etc. stops people from seeking self-actualization. This distress eventually becomes so influential in the mind of a person, particularly when the heart is also unacquainted with God’s ordinance, that drugs or substances become more than just a source of easy refuge. They become included in necessities of everyday life like food and water. Both stress and drugs seem to complement each other because they have a co-dependent relationship. This relationship is particularly disastrous for mental and physical wellbeing of the victim of PTSD. In CBT, a patient’s stressful experiences are gradually unfolded to him/her by the therapist to remind the patient of a certain traumatic experience. The CBT model is based on reviving those thoughts which are irrational and distorted in the patient’s mind and which stimulate him/her to depend on drugs. Sometimes, patients of PTSD need a family therapy since the effects of this disorder like drug abuse are not limited to the patient alone, but also extend to his/her family members. In such situations, family therapy provides the family members with an opportunity to actually know what turmoil their loved one is going through. It improves communication among family members and opens many other doors also to reduce confusions in relationships caused by PTSD. A comparison of CBT with the Bible in context of PTSD and substance abuse illustrates similar features. This is because the biblical perspectives on stress and substance abuse also confirm the value delivered by strong family bonds. Proper parenting is neglected in many modern-open families which paves the way to stress (Leming et al., 2009, p. 145). The Bible urges people to hold on to one another in times marked by great distress or emotional turmoil. It is the absence of such strong bonds in the present highly materialistic times that more people suffer from the co-morbid aspects of PTSD presently than ever before. Emotional or moral support has become a highly rare thing in the present contemporary world which is why many stressed out people become intent on abusing substances to survive. It should be remembered that feelings of abandonment and loneliness are among primary internal triggers of PTSD. Such feelings contribute to anxiety, fear, and frustration. This is why the Bible indefinitely stresses on close family relationships because they can prove to be really valuable in times of crisis. As already mentioned, youth is the easiest target for drug sellers. Both biblical perspectives and contemporary research stress on building strong relationships with the arrogant and defiant youth (Stannett, cited in Ward, 2008). Young people often seek refuge in substance abuse when depressed by the problematic or violent issues in their homes. Psychological analysis of such attention-deprived youngsters shows that they are severely thirsty for care and love at their homes. This thirst ignites the blinding need for immediate refuge. CBT focuses on restructuring the mind of a PTSD patient. The therapists concentrate on restructuring the entire cognitive ability of their clients. Research confirms that such sort of restructuring helps to “decrease self-reported PTSD severity and associated anxiety” (Kar, 2011, p. 167). From a scientific perspective, such sort of therapy helps patients to very carefully handle the grieving process. The CBT model, hence, emphasizes on cognitive and behavioral patterns of the one dealing with grief (Rubin, Malkinson, & Witztum, 2012). This is done in order to explore how far one has gone guided by stress and where correction is needed. Many time people become dependent on substances or drugs because they have only been judged and preached in the past which is not how counseling should work. From the biblical perspective also, restructuring of mind delivers real value in case of PTSD patients with a history of substance abuse. However, the Bible stresses that during the process of restructuring, integration of the concept of resurrection is very important. This is because it is this belief that we all will rise again one day after dying that brings with itself a certain rate of accountability. This notion of resurrection helps to makes us accountable for our actions and acts as a deterrent when we feel tempted by distractions (Grace to You, 2014). It is the way PTSD patients process events in their lives without religious guidance which leads to formation of highly flawed and painful beliefs. Wrong beliefs cause people to behave wrong as well as research confirms that “wrong behavior comes from wrong thinking” (Grace to You, 2014). People with wrong beliefs about themselves and the world suffer from persistent shame which is one of the key features of PTSD. Such people feel more tempted to fall for substance abuse than others because they go through a very confusing journey of grief. But, analysis of underlying mechanisms of such grief reveals that stress and dependency on drugs are triggered because people are not treated as objectively as possible. One of the biggest rules of programs seeking to deter people from drugs should be to respect every person independent of the depth of his/her problem (Recovery.org, 2014). People and society hasten to judge them which is a very wrong practice. Both psychological therapy and the Bible warn against forming hasty assumptions and judgments. Research confirms that patients of PTSD are at a very high risk of alcoholism and substance abuse (MedicineNet.com, 2012, p. 2). Ho (2011) also commenting on the association between stress and substance abuse suggests that many people turn towards the option of drug abuse when they are psychologically saturated from their worries. This saturation tempts them to abuse drugs so that they may be able to negate or exchange their blackened depression for positive pleasure or psychological reward. Doctors prescribe many different medicines to a patient of PTSD to reduce the effects of depression and prevent him/her from advancing to drugs. Zoloft and Prozac are the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants. However, medicines do not have the power to permanently alleviate feelings of stress or sadness. Rather, they lend some benefit at the cost of dependence because there is a potential risk of a person becoming used to them. In contrast, the Bible takes a very different approach to illuminating the heart and mind of a stressed person who also has abusive tendencies. It is claimed that people should depend on Jesus and not on all sorts of drugs to become spiritually and physically independent of all kinds of idolatry in life (McConnell, 2013). Many Christians do not ever go through their holy book in life, let alone study it extensively. Research also claims that patients of stress with a history of addiction can be surprisingly fearful of meetings where guidance against wrong conduct is provided (Pomm & Pomm, 2008, p. 23). Bringing stressed patients with a history of abuse and Christianity together can be like mixing oil and water. A majority of population is only acquainted with a few interesting stories from the Bible which were taught to them when they were mere children. However, the Bible is actually so much more than a collection of stories. It holds clear answers to many complex sociocultural problems of modern life which suggests that the Bible was not only meant to deliver value to people from ancient times. Rather, this holy book holds the potential to guide people despite changing times. The Bible also comments on ways to avoid drugs in times of great stress. For example, peer pressure plays a role in making youngsters believe that their refuge lies in substance abuse. So, followers of Jesus are encouraged to avoid evil company. It is claimed that “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (Corinthians 15:33, cited in Grace to You, 2014). From a biblical perspective, people experience stress and fall prey to substance abuse due to lowering their defenses which enables evil to influence them (Grace to You, 2014). Concluding, this research paper examined the relationship between PTSD and substance abuse using biblical and modern perspectives. Research confirms that religious guidance in accordance with the biblical teachings has a way of motivating people to look into themselves and engage in catharsis. Analysis of issues like PTSD and substance abuse from the biblical perspective offers many answers to those who seek wisdom without the use of therapy or drugs. It is suggested that in contrast to medicines which are never effective enough to completely eradicate all causes and effects of PTSD, religious direction can work wonders for patients free of cost. However, psychological therapy based on models like CBT is also of utmost importance and it is commonly used to treat patients of substance abuse. In light of the above discussion, it is recommended that both psychological therapists and religious scholars should work together to motivate people in staying reproachful of all mind-altering drugs like hallucinogens, sedatives, stimulants, narcotics, etc. References: Cook, D.E. (2009). This Is for God’s People: A Daily Devotional. Tate Publishing. DrugAbuse.com. (2015). Mental Health and Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://drugabuse.com/library/mental-health-and-drug-abuse/ eMedicineHealth. (2012). Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/post-traumatic_stress_disorder_ptsd/article_em.htm Grace to You. (2014, Apr 02). Bad Company Corrupts Good Character. Retrieved from http://www.gty.org/resources/bible-qna/BQ122711/Bad-Company-Corrupts-Good-Character Ho, D. (2011). The Psychology of Drug Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5372674_psychology-drug-abuse.html Kar, N. (2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: a review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 7, 167–181. Leming, M.R. et al. (2009). The Sociological Perspective: A Value-Committed Introduction. Wipf and Stock Publishers. McConnell, M. (2013, Sep 02). Is Jesus Enough For Drug Addicts? Retrieved from http://20schemes.com/2013/is-jesus-enough-for-drug-addicts/ MedicineNet.com. (2012). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/posttraumatic_stress_disorder/page2.htm Pomm, H.A. & Pomm, R.M. (2008). Management of the Addicted Patient in Primary Care. Springer. Recovery.org. (2014). About the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 12-Step Recovery Program. Retrieved from http://www.recovery.org/topics/about-the-narcotics-anonymous-na-12-step-recovery-program/ Rubin, S.S., Malkinson, R., & Witztum, E. (2012). A Clinician’s Guide to Working with the Bereaved. CRC Press. Ward, L. (2008, Jan 23). Binge drinking fuels youth violence. Society Guardian. 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