subject: Trauma can play culprit in addiction [print this page] Alcohol may relieve these symptoms because drinking compensates for deficiencies in endorphin activity following a traumatic experience. Within moments of experiencing a traumatic incident, there is an increase in the level of endorphins in the brain. During the time of the stress, endorphin levels remain high and help to numb the emotional and physical pain caused by the trauma. However, after the trauma is over, endorphin levels gradually decrease and this may lead to a period of endorphin withdrawal that can last from hours to days.Since alcohol use increases endorphin activity, drinking following trauma may be used to compensate this endorphin withdrawal and thus avoid the associated emotional distress. PTSD addiction treatment and drug addiction treatment is possible with the help of professional experts which target the mind for recovering from trauma as well as addiction.
