PTSD and alcoholism are a common pairing. When dealing with raw feelings, nightmares, and anxiety caused by past trauma, it’s not unusual for someone to turn to alcohol as a buffer. Alcohol makes us feel better in the moment, taking the edge off of worry and stress. Also, it can help us relax enough to socialize around other people when, in reality, we feel like we don’t belong. Unfortunately, PTSD and alcoholism are a toxic combination. If you or someone you love is using alcohol to self-medicate, Bayview Recovery Center offers a PTSD treatment program that can greatly improve your quality of life.
What Is PTSD?
When you hear the term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, you may envision soldiers coming home from the war. It’s estimated between 11-20% of veterans suffer from this condition as a result of the trauma they experienced in war or the military. However, it’s not only military service members who may suffer from PTSD. Many events can cause this disorder, including:
- Car accidents
- Sexual assaults
- Natural disasters
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse
According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that may occur after a person witnesses or experiences any type of traumatic event or disaster. The resulting feelings may include sadness, anger, rage, helplessness, or feelings of violation. What’s interesting to note is that not everyone who suffers trauma develops post-traumatic stress. If you have healthy coping mechanisms in place with supportive people to talk with, you may be less susceptible. Alternatively, if you’re someone who tends to suffer from self-doubt, or if you live in isolation, you may be at greater risk of developing PTSD after trauma.
For those of us haunted by past trauma need treatment, especially if a substance use disorder, such as alcoholism or drug addiction, results. Bayview Recovery in Tacoma, Washington, provides quality treatment for clients suffering from alcoholism and PTSD.
When PTSD and Alcoholism Combine
PTSD is a disabling condition. As a result, when compounded by alcoholism — another disabling condition, life can become unmanageable. The symptoms of advanced alcoholism include overwhelming cravings, blackouts, irritability, agitation, and the inability to function normally in everyday life. When alcoholism results from PTSD, it may become difficult or impossible to get through a day. Work suffers, school suffers, and family members suffer. Finally, it may become difficult to function at all if you don’t seek treatment.
Bayview Recovery provides quality treatment for alcoholism and PTSD for clients in the Pacific Northwest, as well as treatment for other mental health and substance use disorders. If you or someone you love needs help, reach out today.
Hope and Help for PTSD and Alcoholism at Bayview Recovery
At Bayview Recovery in Tacoma, our experienced staff can help you or your loved one recover from a dual diagnosis such as PTSD and alcoholism. Through an extended 90-day residential program and a full range of therapeutic options, you’ll learn new, healthier coping behaviors. These will help you better handle stress and anxiety without turning to alcohol. Our trauma program has an excellent reputation and outlook for recovery through such approaches as:
- Individual and group therapy
- Mindfulness training and meditation
- Yoga
- Somatic therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Bayview Recovery also offers adventure and experiential activities such as rafting, snowboarding, and skiing. Such activities help you develop social and team-building skills benefiting you for the rest of your life. When you choose Bayview Recovery as your choice of treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction in Tacoma, Washington, you’ll receive the highest level of care from the most experienced and compassionate staff. Call us today at 855.478.3650 for more information on our treatment program for PTSD and alcoholism.
