After you've been through a traumatic event, you may be tempted
to use alcohol or drugs as a way to cope. Some people with post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) try to deal with their symptoms
this way. Taking alcohol or drugs to deal with stressful
emotions is called self-medication. This may make you feel
better for a while, but in the long run it will do more harm
than good. Alcohol and drugs can make it harder to enjoy life,
and they can keep you from taking care of your responsibilities.
Using alcohol can even make your PTSD symptoms Taking alcohol or
drugs may lead to substance abuse. This is when alcohol or drugs
cause problems in your life. Substance abuse may hurt your
relationships with friends and family members, and it may cause
problems at work. It also may lead to serious health problems.
If you use alcohol or drugs, you may dependent. This means that
you can't quit, or you have withdrawal symptoms when you try to
quit. Withdrawal may cause you to feel sick or shaky. Also, when
you become depend