WHAT IS PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ​is an anxiety disorder triggered by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event and is regarded as a dysfunction of the body's stress-coping system that can often result in serious health effects. Symptoms can include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress, difficulty sleeping, and changes in how a person thinks and feels. 

WHAT IS A TBI?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external force. The symptoms of the injury can vary. Mild or moderate TBI symptoms can include mood changes, trouble with concentration, headaches, difficulty with sleep, and reduced motor coordination. Severe TBI can cause greatly reduced or lack of motor control, greatly reduced ability or inability to speak, and restlessness or agitation.

WHAT CAN PTSD & TBIs LEAD TO?

DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE:
​THE FACTS
Similar to many other mental injuries and disorders, PTSD and TBIs effect the individual veteran in different ways depending on severity, type of trauma, coping mechanisms, surrounding support system/personnel, etc. In many cases where a veteran cannot cope effectively they may turn to alcohol abuse and drug addiction. These addictions, along with not having proper outlets and a structured way to understand and handle emotions, can then lead to a large number of other problems including abuse at home (legal issues) and becoming homeless (health and living issues). Ultimately experiencing even one of these problems has led numerous veterans to suicidal thoughts and actions.
Military members are returning from deployment with serious physical and mental health problems and, without the proper help, may attempt to self-medicate by abusing alcohol or drugs. Service members are at a higher risk for drug and alcohol abuse when suffering from PTSD or TBIs. Just as the opioid epidemic is sweeping the nation, this epidemic is growing among veterans who have been prescribed addictive drugs for injuries. Drug and alcohol abuse over time can create dependency, which can lead to a serious health and lifestyle problems. Over 40% of veterans suffer from alcohol alcohol abuse at some point, and prescription drug abuse among military members is 2.5 times higher than civilian rates.

A WAY TO FIND HEALING

Find out how Project Echelon helps with the healing Process: