Post-Protests Traumas Influence on Mental Health and Substance Abuse
By Marura Shaki
As the dust settles after the fervor of protests, most youth return to their homes. And this round yet a solitary battle awaiting the individuals, post protest trauma. Street protests are a common civic expression that happens worldwide, these protests have a profound effect on our mental health.
During a normal country uproar, physical injuries are common but what about the less obvious ones, unintended emotional consequences? People who get involved in a violent protest and end up exposed to police brutality such as beating or gunshots may endure long pain forcing them to start using drugs such as opioids. Frequent use of these pain reliever drugs can cause significant distress and impairment a condition referred to as Opioid Use Disorder which is accompanied by symptoms such as withdrawal symptoms when opioids are withdrawn. The addictions eventually create a vicious circle of abuse worsening their mental state.
But what about those who protest affected emotionally and psychologically? People who have not been directly involved in protests or rather had no physical encounter with the law enforcers are also not spared from the matrix, they are also likely to experience post-protest traumas. An individual who has witnessed a protest is likely to develop post-protest trauma such as feelings of fear, anxiety, and distress. These feelings have a possibility of escalating to more serious mental issues such as Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
Let's try and paint a clear vivid picture, a witness carries a heavy heart after witnessing ugly scenes, and the fourth and back of the scenes in his memory make a home for fear, a breeding ground indeed. The struggle with these intrusive thoughts and lack of sleep may make them turn to drugs to cope with the situation.
Firstly, they might think of resorting to drugs such as anxiety pills to curb physical symptoms such as rapid heart and tremors. Consequent use of these pills may lead to addiction and abuse leading to adverse side effects such as amnesia. Although the use of anxiety pills may not necessarily lead to addiction, victims of protest bystanders may opt for other hard drugs that have an immense effect. Drugs such as bhang and cocaine are likely to be abused as they have a common trait to unhinge an individual from reality for some time momentarily. However, despite the stereotype that these drugs can temporarily make them feel better, they cause mental disorders, manipulating their brains again making it more likely they will continue to use the substance.
Post-protest trauma can be a trigger to mental health issues which in turn can lead to drug and substance abuse, many people who have been involved in or have witnessed protests are likely to experience trauma it is therefore essential to share these feelings which mostly manifest through anxiety, sleep and concentration problems with someone they trust or a medical expert for guidance on how to consider prescription time frame so that they don’t fall pray to drug and substance abuse.