May is Stroke Awareness Month
May 6, 2011 - In 1988, Colette was on vacation with her husband when she was rushed to the hospital for a ruptured brain aneurysm. She was lucky to survive, but unfortunately the stroke caused permanent brain damage. She spent the next several months in physical, occupational and speech therapy.
After completing her rehabilitation therapy, Colette returned to her everyday life, which included going to work and raising her three children. Unfortunately, she continued to struggle with the long-term effects of her brain injury. She was easily overwhelmed at work and frequently changed jobs. She applied for disability benefits, but her claim was denied. Her frustrations eventually led to depression and alcoholism.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, is a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen to a part of the brain resulting in tissue death. Strokes can be caused by a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic) or by a clot that blocks blood flow (ischemic).
According to the American Stroke Association, in the United States:
- There are 7 million stroke survivors.
- 795,000 strokes occur each year.
- 137,000 people die from strokes each year, making stroke the third leading cause of death.
Long-Term Effects of Stroke
Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Depending on the area of the brain that was affected, a stroke can cause speech impediments, paralysis, vision loss, and memory loss. Damage to the right-side of the brain can cause impulsive behavior, while damage to the left-side of the brain can lead to cautious and indecisive behavior. Strokes occurring in the brain stem can affect physical movement on both sides of the body, but often do not impair cognitive function.
Mental Health after Stroke
After her rehabilitation therapy was completed, Colette struggled to adjust to life with her new limitations. She was easily overwhelmed in stressful situations, especially at work. She was unable to maintain steady employment, which contributed to her depression and alcohol abuse.
“I drank before my brain injury, but my drinking really escalated five years ago as a result of my depression,” she said.
It is common for people adjusting to disabilities caused by stroke to experience feelings of depression and isolation. Most people overcome these feelings as their recovery progresses and as they come to terms with their new limitations.
Unfortunately for Colette, her recovery plateaued and she continued to struggle with the effects of her brain injury. Her depression went untreated because she did not realize she needed help. Her desperation reached a climax three years ago when she tried to commit suicide.
“I started therapy right after that happened. I stayed sober for six months, but then I went to a wedding, and the drinking started all over again,” she said.
Substance Abuse and Stroke
Alcohol and certain types of drugs increase blood pressure, which is the leading cause of stroke according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some drugs cause stroke by directly affecting blood vessels in the brain, while others do it indirectly by affecting other organs in the body, such as the heart or the liver.
According to research conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, drug abuse is a leading contributor of stroke among people ages 18 to 25. Young people who abuse amphetamines are five times more likely to have a hemorrhagic stroke than people the same age who do not use amphetamines.
Excessive drinking may cause atrial fibrillation, which is a quick irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation can cause the blood to form clots. If a blood clot travels to the brain, it may cause a stroke. In time, alcohol abuse can lead to high-blood pressure, which is the leading cause of stroke.
Finding Help
"I did want to quit drinking but I couldn’t do it on my own,” Colette said.
Colette entered treatment at a facility near her hometown in Northern Minnesota, but she did not like the lock-down setting and quickly checked herself out. Her husband researched other treatment centers online and found Vinland Center, a drug and alcohol treatment center located in the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota. Vinland Center’s treatment program is specialized for individuals with cognitive impairments, including brain injuries similar to Colette’s.
“Vinland had the focus on whole-body healing – physical, emotional, mental,” Colette said. “I think that is really important.”
At Vinland Center, Colette dove into her treatment program. An important component of Vinland’s treatment model is participation in therapeutic exercise. Colette received a personalized therapeutic exercise program when she first arrived at Vinland, and she enthusiastically took part in this aspect of her treatment.
“I was in the fitness center every day at 8 a.m. sharp,” she said. “I also was really open to the ideas about addiction and recovery my addiction counselor presented to me.”
After completing her treatment program at Vinland Center, Colette found a job within a week. She works part-time in a fitness center located in her hometown.
“I get to help people by using the positive attitude that was portrayed to me at Vinland,” she said. “My job gets me up in the morning. It gives me a purpose.”
