Other Symptoms
Some people create ritualistic behavior to help reduce anxiety. For example, a person who has been sexually assaulted may repeatedly take a bath in an attempt to eliminate the feeling of being dirty.
Many PTSD patients develop substance use disorders by trying to relieve their symptoms with alcohol or illicit drugs. All of these substances directly activate the reward system of the brain and bring pleasure. This activating effect is so strong that patients that clamor for the substance may neglect their usual activities to obtain and use the drug.
Substance use disorder occurs regardless of whether the drug is legal, socially acceptable, or has an approved medical use (whether or not a prescription is required). [11]
In addition, PTSD may cause significant discomfort or significantly impede social or professional activities, and should not be associated with the physiological effects of psychoactive substances or other diseases.