Are Opioids Prescribed for PTSD?
Opioid use is a controversial struggle in the healthcare world. While opioids provide relief from chronic pain and the harmful effects of disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), opioids can be highly addictive and cause problems later on.
You may be wondering, are these drugs safe to use? Let’s take a look at some of the facts regarding opioid prescriptions for PTSD.
What are Opioids?
Physicians primarily prescribe opioids to treat chronic pain. Although opioids work well to relieve pain, the body can become dependent on the pills. These chemicals can become easily addictive and can lead to opioid abuse and harmful long-term health effects.
Doctors commonly prescribe opioids to patients dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), along with certain antidepressants. These medications often help individuals lessen discomfort in the mind or body. PTSD and addiction are closely linked due to the pain-relieving effects and addictive properties of certain substances, such as opioids.
Pain and PTSD
PTSD is characterized by the response it produces in individuals who have developed the disorder over time. Those struggling with the effects of PTSD often try to ease their pain by using marijuana, alcohol, or opioids. Discomforts include avoidance of thoughts associated with trauma and hyper vigilance. Opioids are used to avoid symptoms and protect against the development of PTSD.
Some examples of medications prescribed for PTSD include:
- Morphine
- Benzodiazepines
- Antidepressants
It has also been shown that the pathways in the brain that are used when transmitting pain are the same pathways the brain uses when transmitting PTSD symptoms. This may indicate that people struggle to differentiate between the two and may seek medication to deal with pain or anxiety/depression. Doctors are likely to then prescribe opioids or sedatives such as benzodiazepines. This can increase the risk of abusing substances or even overdosing.
We know that pain and PTSD produce a similar response in the brain. So, how does this prescribed medication become a harmful addiction?
Understanding Opioid Addiction
Those dealing with PTSD can easily fall victim to opioid abuse even if their intention is just to ease pain.
The opioid epidemic causes nearly 130 deaths each day due to overdose. Both illicit and prescribed opioids are misused resulting in fatal consequences. Even when used as prescribed, the body can become dependent on them, eventually building up a tolerance requiring more opioids to find relief – leading to addiction.
Additionally, risk factors such as family history, mental health, and gender play a factor as well. Women are more likely than men to abuse opioids and fall into addiction.
Continued use of opioids alters the brain chemistry so the only way an individual can function normally is when they are using the substance. This can lead to disruptions in an one’s personal, professional, and social life.
Co-occurring Disorders
In the case of those with PTSD who become addicted to opioids, the cause of the addiction is actually an underlying mental health issue. Other mental health problems that may have been prevalent before developing PTSD can then prevent the individual from escaping their usage patterns. Other disorders that often accompany substance abuse include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
These co-occurring disorders can play off each other and cause each problem to worsen. In order to find true recovery, clients will need to focus on healing both their mind and their body.
Overcoming Addiction and PTSD
Treatment centers that utilize dual diagnosis techniques are best equipped to provide quality care to those struggling with multiple issues. In fact, nearly half of patients receiving treatment for substance abuse reported that they were also experiencing PTSD.
If you feel like opioid abuse is something you or a loved one is struggling with, it may be time to seek treatment for opioid addiction. There are plenty of treatment options available for PTSD, substance abuse, or dual diagnosis. Searching for dual diagnosis treatment centers near me in Google is a great step towards finding the best fit for your needs.
Those in Arizona can attend a dedicated program to tackle opioid addiction and PTSD at The Hope House. The Hope House is a treatment center in Scottsdale devoted to helping clients heal their mind and body and achieve long-term sobriety.
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