Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can feel overwhelming. Some traumatized people self-medicate with marijuana, seeking relief from flashbacks, anxiety, and other symptoms. While cannabis can provide a short-term reprieve, routinely using it as a coping mechanism can have unintended consequences and may lead to a more complex set of issues known as a dual diagnosis.
Why People Use Marijuana for PTSD Symptoms
PTSD can result from experiencing or witnessing a frightening or life-threatening event, leaving you to deal with disruptive symptoms like intrusive memories, hypervigilance, irritability, and emotional numbness.
Initially, marijuana’s relaxing effects may make you feel calmer and less anxious. However, this drug cannot address the underlying issues associated with PTSD. Over time, using marijuana as a coping tool can make it more difficult to process trauma, leading to a habit that complicates your mental health.
The Risks of Using Marijuana to Manage PTSD Symptoms
While marijuana may offer a temporary escape, you should also be aware of its risks and drawbacks.
- Worsening symptoms: Cannabis increases anxiety and paranoia in some people, which may make PTSD symptoms worse. You could experience heightened alertness and agitation instead of the calm euphoria you seek.
- Addiction: It’s possible to become physically and psychologically dependent on marijuana as your tolerance increases. At this point, you will experience a range of withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.
- Impaired cognitive function: Long-term marijuana use can impact your memory, concentration, and decision-making skills, making everyday challenges seem even more difficult.
- Increased isolation: A worsening drug habit will eventually cause a rift between you and your loved ones. This disconnection can worsen your symptoms.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
A dual diagnosis occurs when someone has an overlapping mental health condition and a substance use disorder. For instance, while you may initially use marijuana to alleviate PTSD, substance misuse will ultimately intensify your mental health struggles.
Treating a dual diagnosis requires an integrated approach that simultaneously addresses both conditions, informed by knowledge of how they feed into each other. Without this level of care, attempting to treat only one condition can lead to relapse or worsening symptoms of the unaddressed disorder.
When to Seek Help
It may be time to seek help if you habitually use marijuana to cope with PTSD, especially if:
- You feel you need marijuana to cope with daily life.
- PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, or emotional numbness are worsening.
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit using marijuana.
- You neglect various responsibilities due to marijuana use.
- Feelings of isolation or hopelessness have increased, making it harder to connect with others or engage in activities.
Finding Support for PTSD and Marijuana Use
At NEM Recovery, we understand the complexities of dual diagnoses like PTSD and marijuana dependency. Our compassionate team is here to help you work through your underlying trauma and establish healthier coping strategies. We treat co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders with an integrated approach, helping our clients find relief from distressing symptoms and build more fulfilling lives.
If you struggle with PTSD and marijuana use, asking for help is a courageous first step. We make recovery possible with professional guidance, evidence-based therapies, and a judgment-free atmosphere.
