11/14/2025
Monday November 17th at 6pm
We will discuss brain injuries and substance abuse.
Overcoming Addictions after a TBI
It is important to understand that after a brain injury, one's tolerance level is lower because the brain is more sensitive to alcohol and drugs. This can create additional challenges for a person with a brain injury as drugs and alcohol can further damage the injured brain.
It can increase frequency of aggressive and/or anti-social behaviors; cause seizures; affect the ability for the brain to re-learn, slowing down the recovery process; negatively affect relationships; increase depression and interfere with prescribed medications.
Drugs and alcohol affect the same abilities that may have already been impacted by the brain injury, such as memory, speech, balance and coordination, vision, problem solving, control of emotions and behaviors, thinking and reasoning, concentration and attention.
Persons with a brain injury are already at risk for having another brain injury. The use of drugs and alcohol make that risk greater because it exacerbates existing problems like balance and coordination, which can result in accidental falls and new injuries to the brain.
Despite how damaging drug and alcohol use for a brain injured person can be, it is not uncommon for persons with a brain injury to resort to using drugs and alcohol as a means to cope. Unfortunately, using drugs and/or alcohol to cope with depression, loneliness or even anger is a destructive and potentially lethal coping skill.
Because of the adverse affects alcohol and drugs can have on a healing mind, it is imperative to seek addiction treatment immediately.
Brain Injury Association sourced information.
Featured source:
Substance Abuse Mental Health
Service Administration (SAMHSA)
www.samnsa.gov
SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. Their website offers quick access to locating providers for treatment, a su***de prevention hot line and a treatment referral line.
