Substance abuse after TBI
 

Hi, I know how dangerous alcohol and drugs are in theory after TBI, but does anyone have direct experience? My brother suffered a fairly serious TBI nine months ago, with bi-frontal bleeding and a subdural hematoma. He is on SSDI and trying to live alone this past month. We just found out he started drinking again, and appears to be intending to use some unregulated drugs he used before his TBI, including kratom and salvia divinorum.

I remember hearing that alcohol and TBI can induce seizures, and that in general a damaged brain is more susceptible to alcohol's toxic effects. I can only imagine what effects these other drugs will have alone, or mixed with alcohol. We know it was alcohol that more or less led to his TBI in the first place, yet he seems to not have learned his lesson.

I have a friend whose brother died four years after his very serious TBI due to drinking, and I know the substance abuse rates are higher in general among the TBI population.

We are trying to figure out how to help my brother stop before he hurts himself or others. He won't listen to individuals and is in denial. We thought maybe a family/friend intervention might help. The problem is, his frontal lobe TBI seems to have made him that much more inflexible and of poor judgement.

Hi Swingwing
 

Hello, and I am glad you found Neuro Talk. If you don't get enough response, post again. Most folks who know something about TBI will tell you in no uncertain terms how dangerous drinking, and drugs can be with those that have a head injury. You are right to be concerned. The trouble is people don't change unless they want to. I have a neighbor whos son, abuses and he has a heart problem that needs surgery. They can't do the surgery because he is so addicted to medications. I hope your brother stops, and will let his brain get well. We only have one brain after all. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Just keep being a good brother and tell him you are worried. He must decide for himself. ginnie

Other than the court system for getting arrested for drunk driving or such, there is not much you can do to force him to change. You can check out the Calif. state statutes at www.leginfo.ca.gov and read up on Welfare and Institutions Code section 5200 to learn how you can use a judicial commitment to get him assessed. Click on Calif Laws and look for W & I codes then section 5200.

Maybe you can get assistance from your county mental health dept, too.

At least try to keep him off the roads.

My best to you.