There are many people today who live with a traumatic brain injury. Sometimes, the injury is mild and can be managed with medication or therapy. In other cases, it can be severe and have a significant impact on a person's ability to function normally. Traumatic brain injuries are more common than most people think and can happen to anyone. A simple bump to the head can alter a person's life dramatically.
Those with a traumatic brain injury will have to make several life changes to cope with their new life. Part of this is being made aware of several conditions that can affect those with a traumatic brain injury. One of these is addiction. It may feel like it's not possible for those with a traumatic brain injury to recover from addiction. The truth is that there are many treatment facilities, such as Driftwood Recovery, that can help. These facilities have specialized treatment providers that aid clients who live with a traumatic brain injury.
To understand how addiction affects a person with a traumatic brain injury, we must first understand what a traumatic brain injury is.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is an injury caused to the brain by an outside force. They may also be known as an intracranial injury or a TBI for short. These injuries can range from mild to severe and can cause problems with normal brain functions. Some of these functions include movement, communication, understanding, and process of thought. A person with a traumatic brain injury may get mentally exhausted faster than others and may have difficulties with concentration. Sometimes, a person can recover from a traumatic brain injury in time with treatment. In other cases, it's a condition that a person will live with for the rest of their life.
There are two types of traumatic brain injury. These are penetrating (when an object pierces the skull and injures the brain) and non-penetrating (caused by an external force that moves the brain in the skull). A person can be diagnosed with both penetrating and non-penetrating traumatic brain injury.
The most common causes of traumatic brain injury are:
- Falls, such as falling off a ladder or down a flight of stairs
- Blunt trauma accidents, such as being hit in the head by a falling object
- Sports injuries, especially in high-contact sports
- Vehicle crashes and accidents
- Assault and violence
- Explosions or blasts, typically seen in military servicemen
It's important to understand that a person with a traumatic brain injury can still live a full and joyful life. They simply may need extra help or need to rely on learned skills to help them cope with their injury. When addiction is introduced, it can make it harder for a person with a traumatic brain injury to function normally.
How Does Addiction Affect Those With a Traumatic Brain Injury?
There is still research being done to determine if people with a traumatic brain injury are more likely to develop an addiction. A particular study published by the Journal of Neurotrauma examined military servicemen post-injury. It's determined that there could be damage that makes someone with a traumatic brain injury more likely to develop an addiction. However, it could also be the response to the trauma that caused the injury in the first place. Trauma is one of the leading causes of addiction, as people will often self-medicate to cope with their trauma.
However, addiction does affect those with a traumatic brain injury differently compared to someone without. The issues related to balance, walking, and talking are made worse with the introduction of drugs and alcohol. These can worsen to the point where the person involved is likely to become injured again due to the lack of coordination and balance. Remember, falls and vehicular accidents are common causes of traumatic brain injuries. These accidents are commonly the result of inebriation.
Substances can also have a powerful effect on someone with a traumatic brain injury. This can make it more difficult to undergo the detox process, requiring careful supervision and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when necessary. Substances may also impact a person's memory or ability to concentrate if they live with a traumatic brain injury. In some cases, a brain injury may be severe enough that substance use can cause a seizure, especially with alcohol use.
Seeking Help at Driftwood Recovery
Perhaps the most common way addiction affects those with a traumatic brain injury is by making the recovery process longer. Those with a brain injury often struggle with the ability to focus or concentrate for long periods. Sometimes, this can prevent someone from being able to communicate well with those who want to help them. This then requires the use of tools and skills specifically designed to help those with a traumatic brain injury. In some cases, specialized providers are needed to help clients navigate treatment safely and comfortably.
That's why at Driftwood Recovery, treatment is set up in a way that allows anyone to get the specialized treatment they need. The assessment process allows clients to be evaluated and then set up with professionals most equipped to help them. Medical professionals work closely with other treatment providers to give clients the best comprehensive treatment possible. By seeking treatment at Driftwood Recovery, clients find a safe and supportive environment to recover.
Remember, a traumatic brain injury can complicate treatment, but it doesn't make it impossible. There is no shame in having a traumatic brain injury, and no person at Driftwood Recovery would judge someone for living with one. As long as someone has access to quality treatment and is willing to make a positive change, they can recover from addiction.
Having a traumatic brain injury can affect many parts of a person's physical and mental health. For those struggling with addiction, a traumatic brain injury can make someone feel unsure if treatment is even possible. It's important to know that anyone can recover from addiction, even if they have a traumatic brain injury. It takes careful planning, the oversight of professionals, and compassionate and quality treatment. Here at Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, those living with a traumatic brain injury can seek the care they need to recover from addiction. To learn more about how you or your loved ones can get help while living with a traumatic brain injury, call (512) 759-8330 today.