The Slippery Slope: From Brain Injury to Substance Abuse

Traumatic brain injuries are more common than you might imagine. More than one million experience this traumatic injury annually in the United States. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result from a blow to the head. Although some types of this trauma are mild and temporary, more severe injuries can result in long-term brain damage.

More than half of TBI patients already have a history of alcohol and drug addiction and may already be making the most of treatment options for substance use disorders, the remaining trauma victims are also at risk of misusing alcohol and narcotics.

There are several reasons why this might happen. The slippery slope from brain injury to substance abuse appears easier to slide down than you might imagine.

Self-medication could lead to a substance use disorder

One of the most prominent dangers that can lead to a substance use disorder is when someone who has suffered TBI resorts to self-medication to try and alleviate any chronic pain they are experiencing.

There may also be a propensity to self-medicate if they are experiencing mental health issues due to trauma.

Turning to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism

When someone suffers a severe TBI diagnosis the reality of what has happened can have a dramatic impact on their mental health.

In that scenario, it is highly plausible that a severe TBI diagnosis could persuade someone to try and escape the reality of their situation and turn to drugs or alcohol to seek some sort of solace.

The circumstances of the trauma could be another reason for substance abuse

If the TBI was caused as a result of a particularly distressing incident such as a physical attack that could prove to be the catalyst for turning to substance abuse as a way of trying to come to terms with what happened.

All of these TBI scenarios could conceivably provide a pathway to developing an addiction. This addiction develops when your body becomes more tolerant to alcohol or drugs and it becomes too late to withdraw voluntarily.

Most frequently abused substances by people with TBIs

Opioids are designed to help you manage pain. It seems a perfectly reasonable option to turn to these painkillers as a way of alleviating symptoms associated with a TBI.

The problem comes when it becomes increasingly challenging to regulate your intake of these drugs. Opioid addiction has become a substantial issue in the United States and TBI are among those people who have become addicted.

Alcohol is the other major substance that is regularly abused by people with TBIs.

When you are feeling stressed and fearful of what the future holds after suffering a brain trauma it is possible that alcohol might seem to offer a solution. Alcohol works by acting as a central nervous system depressant. This might make you feel temporarily better but the long-term issues are never worth such a problematic short-term solution.

The key takeaway to understand is that drugs and alcohol can often worsen the effects of a TBI, rather than improving your symptoms.

A residential inpatient treatment can often prove to be the most effective and viable option for tackling a substance use disorder sparked by a TBI.