Managing the Stresses of Addiction after TBI

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Managing the Stresses of Addiction after TBI

• April Smith, MSSA, LSW,
• Peggy Shecket, MS, CDCA,
• Max Stafford, MA, LCDCIII, OCPSI-1

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TBI in the USA

• According to the U.S. Department of Health and
  Human Services and the Centers for Disease
  Control and Prevention
• 1.7 million people sustain a TBI each year
• 52,000 people die as a result of TBI
• 275,000 are hospitalized
• 1,365,000 are treated and discharged from ERs
• TBI rates are higher for males than females

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Causes of TBI

• Falls 35.2
• Unknown 21
• MVAs 17.3
• Struck by/ Against 16.5
• Assault 10
• Injuries commonly associated with drug and
  alcohol use are motor vehicle accidents, assault,
  domestic violence and falls.

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Impact of Substance use on TBI

• According to the Colorado TBI Registry and Follow
  up
• 20 of persons hospitalized due to TBI are
  intoxicated at the time of injury
• 17 of persons hospitalized report illegal drug
  use during the year prior to their injury
• 10 to 20 of persons with severe injuries
  develop a substance abuse problem after TBI

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Substance Abuse vs. Dependence

• Using alcohol or drugs and failing to fulfill
  responsibilities
• Harmful use
• Using alcohol or drugs in situations that could
  be hazardous
• Acquiring legal, social or interpersonal problems
  because alcohol or drug use

• Increased tolerance of alcohol or drugs
• Unsuccessful efforts to quit
• Staying high or drunk longer
• Spending a large amount of time and energy to get
  drugs or alcohol
• Giving up important things or activities because
  of alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawal
• Continued use despite physical or mental problems
  caused by alcohol or drug use.

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Reasons why people use drugs and alcohol

• Biology- genes, environment, gender, ethnicity,
  presence of mental disorders
• Environment- family, friends, SES, quality of
  life, peer pressure, physical/sexual abuse,
  stress and parental involvement
• Development- onset of alcohol or drug use, brain
  injury, trauma

• Drug /or alcohol abuse leads to changes in brain
  structure, function, and chemistry.
• Repeated use of drugs/ alcohol changes the
  brains functioning, i.e. self-control, decision
  making, poor impulse control.
• Drugs and alcohol fool the brains pleasure
  centers (dopamine) producing euphoria. Therefore
  taking the place of natural behaviors like
  emotions, eating , spending time with loved ones,
  motivation and controlling movement.

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So what are the risks of using drugs and alcohol
after TBI?

• The side effects of substance use can increase
  the symptoms of brain injury (balance, speech,
  judgment, memory, etc.)
• Increased chance of seizures
• Decreased satisfaction of life
• Poor self-care (eating, medication management,
  attending medical appointments,etc.)
• Risk of fatality mixing drugs/alcohol with
  medications
• Risk of having another injury

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Coping Strategies

• Physical-exercise, movement
• Mental-thought stimulating activities
• Attitude- the perspective you choose to have
• Examples- who inspires you
• Communication- those you can speak with
• Social Support- positive and supporting
  environments
• Purpose- why should I make this choice
• Planning- the big picture, but in manageable
  pieces

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Resources
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Questions

• Want to email us?
• Smith.5855_at_osu.edu
• Shecket.3_at_osu.edu
• Stafford.97_at_osu.edu