Following a TBI, many individuals exhibit increased risk taking behavior and poorer judgment. This combination of cognitive factors increases the risk of initiating or resuming substance use. Often individuals will demonstrate increased use of substances even if they had little or no use of substances prior to their injury.

Some of the reasons for this increased risk of substance use include a greater degree of impulsive behavior, poor judgment, altered mood, chronic pain, and increased susceptibility to social pressure following a TBI.

Subtle signs of possible substance abuse include the following: frequent tardiness or absenteeism, especially after weekends; frequent attendance of social events held in drinking establishments; denial or minimization of substance use; guilt about use; early morning use; becoming upset when others express concern about their use; frequently steering conversations toward drug-related topics¹.


Reference

1. Bogner, J., Corrigan, J., Mysiw, W., Clinchot, D., & L. Fugate (2001). A comparison of substance abuse and violence in the prediction of long-term rehabilitation outcomes after traumatic brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 82, 5, 571-577.