Trauma is how your mind or body reacts to a very negative or disturbing event or experience.
Examples of traumatic events or experiences include:
- an accident
- an assault
- abuse or neglect
- witnessing a death
How trauma feels
Everyone experiences trauma in their own way.
It is common to feel:
- helpless
- restless and unable to sleep
- anxious
- afraid
- sad
- angry or having angry outbursts
- guilt
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.
Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Using alcohol to cope with trauma
It's normal to want to avoid negative or unpleasant feelings.
Alcohol may be used to try to numb painful emotions and memories in the short term. But it can reduce your ability to cope with stress and anxiety.
In the long run, drinking gets in the way of recovery from trauma. It can make things significantly worse.
How alcohol can make things worse
Using alcohol to cope with trauma can:
- disrupt your sleep and affect your mood
- increase your risk of alcohol dependence
- make mental health difficulties worse
- damage your relationships with family and friends
- affect your work and normal activities
- stop you from getting the help you need to heal from trauma
Non-urgent advice: Get help with problem alcohol use
For confidential advice, freephone 1800 459 459.
Find out what type of drinker you are by taking our alcohol test.
Dealing with trauma without alcohol
Alcohol will not help you heal from trauma.
Getting support to help deal with trauma is a good first step. Share your feelings with someone you trust. They can provide emotional support and understanding.
Talk to your GP. They may recommend counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
They may refer you to a mental health specialist for treatment.
Talking therapy and other treatments for trauma
Connect counselling
Connect is a phone counselling service for survivors of abuse, trauma or neglect.
You can talk in confidence with a trained counsellor.
Freephone: 1800 477 477
From UK and Northern Ireland: 0800 0488 023
From outside Ireland and UK: 00 353 1 683 3357
Phone lines are open Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm to 9pm.
Email: admin@connectcounselling.ie
Website: connectcounselling.ie
Connect is part of the HSE National Counselling Service.