Traumatic Brain Injuries and Your Mental Health

TBI and Addiction

There is a high rate of substance use disorders among people with a history of TBI.¹³ Although more research is needed into the exact link between these two conditions, data supports the idea that addiction can make people more vulnerable to brain injuries, and vice versa.

Drug and Alcohol Use Can Cause TBI

Like other mental health conditions, substance abuse can increase your risk of traumatic brain injury.¹² One study suggests that problem drinking is an especially common risk factor for these injuries, because it interferes with physical coordination. Drinking post-TBI can lead to severe mental health symptoms.

Any history of addiction can have an impact on your recovery from these injuries. One study found that people who had already entered recovery for substance misuse, and then sustained a traumatic brain injury, were at an increased risk of addiction relapse after their TBI.¹³ And since new symptoms can appear long after the original injury, it’s important to make a long-term plan for your recovery.

Neurological Changes Following TBI

Evidence suggests that people who sustain early-life TBIs are at a greater risk for developing substance use disorders.¹⁴ Head trauma can impact brain development, and it sometimes changes the way you respond to certain stimuli. In particular, research shows that the “regions of the brain associated with the perception of reward” may be directly affected by brain injuries.

If these areas of your brain are changed or damaged, you’ll be more vulnerable to addiction. A wealth of neuroscientific research confirms that drug use hijacks the brain’s reward system.¹⁵ According to neuropharmacologists Wilkie A. Wilson, Ph.D., and Cynthia M. Kuhn, Ph.D., “when addictive drugs enter the brain they artificially simulate a highly rewarding environment.” This modifies brain chemistry, provoking behavioral changes. Habitual drug use causes “the reward system to modify the brain to crave the drug and take action to get it.”

Professional athletes may also be more vulnerable to developing addictions¹⁶ following TBI. According to one study, athletes are “more susceptible to the intoxicating effects of substances and may get in trouble more easily due to the disinhibiting effects of the brain injury.” Because addiction often starts as an attempt to self-medicate mental health symptoms, early treatment may help you avoid more serious consequences.

If you have a history of either drug abuse or brain injury, be sure to inform your doctor when you seek treatment for either condition. Healing is absolutely possible, but you may need specialized care during recovery.

Rehab for Professional Athletes

Traumatic brain injuries are common among athletes.¹⁷ Experts estimate that 10% of all TBIs “are due to sports and recreational activities.” And if you’re a professional athlete, this type of injury can directly interfere with your ability to do your job.

Fortunately, several luxury rehab programs are designed to meet your unique needs. Orenda at Futures offers the Orenda Athletes Track, in which clients can continue physical training during residential treatment. This empowers you to recover without sacrificing your long-term career goals in the process. At this facility, “a team that has provided training and physical therapy to MLB, PGA, and more helps athletes heal and train while receiving comprehensive care for mental health and substance use disorders.”

You may be eligible for one of these specialized programs even if you’ve already retired from professional sports. All Points North Lodge treats both active and former professional athletes. Their experts continue offering support even after clients complete inpatient treatment. With their guidance, clients can start planning for long-term recovery from the moment they enter rehab. For some, that recovery plan may need to include medical care alongside mental health treatment.

Other Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you develop mental health symptoms after a TBI,¹⁸ you may be at greater risk for additional symptoms. Specifically, mental health issues could be a warning sign for functional limitations, like memory loss and difficulty performing regular activities. Your healthcare team may be able to recognize those signs in advance, and help you prepare for challenges.

TBIs may be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. According to the CDC, symptoms may last as little as a few hours, or they may linger for the rest of a person’s life. These injuries are especially dangerous for children and older adults. For children, TBI symptoms can affect brain development and result in long-term cognitive issues. Older adults are often misdiagnosed, and fail to receive the care they need as a result.

In mild cases, common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury⁵ include, but are not limited to:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Mood or behavioral changes

Moderate or severe TBIs present with the same symptoms, and may also cause the following issues:

• Seizures
• Nausea
• Pupil dilation
• Loss of coordination
• Agitation

If you exhibit any of these symptoms after a head injury, no matter how minor, it’s very important that you consult a doctor.

Long-Term Recovery for Body and Mind

Traumatic brain injuries can have long-term health impacts. And if your brain functions differently than it did before, it can be difficult to imagine what healing will look like. Recovery might not mean returning to life as it used to be. Instead, this is your opportunity to get to know yourself again, and decide how you’d like to move forward.

It’s extremely important to get comprehensive care after a TBI. Physical and mental health are always connected, especially if you’re healing from a brain injury. By working with a skilled team of doctors and therapists, you can decide on a plan of care that feels right for you.

If you’re concerned about the impact of an injury on your mental health, talking to a treatment facility can be a good place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mental Health