Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after experiencing a single traumatic event or a series of them. When the mind has difficulty processing the trauma, it can create extreme emotions or even numbness. Unfortunately, to deal with the effects of the trauma, some people turn to substance use. Therefore, PTSD and drug addiction can happen together in many individuals. Getting help for both conditions is key to finding a path to recovery. If you need mental health and addiction treatment, contact Bayview Recovery today at 855.478.3650.
Effects of PTSD
Having a traumatic event can devastate a person. Some people will experience emotions and memories from the trauma for years after the event occurred. Just as not everyone who undergoes trauma will develop PTSD, the severity of symptoms in those with PTSD will also vary. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you likely have a form of PTSD that needs treatment:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Emotional numbness
- Environmental situations that trigger vivid recollections of the event
- Hypervigilance
- Constant fear or anxiety
Living with the impacts of PTSD is difficult, especially nightmares that can rob you of adequate sleep and flashbacks that can steal your peace of mind. Therefore, using substances such as drugs or alcohol to quiet these thoughts and cope with PTSD happens frequently among those with PTSD. However, while substance use commonly occurs alongside PTSD, you should seek professional PTSD recovery help for both problems to achieve a full life.
The Link Between PTSD and Drug Addiction
Those with PTSD have a higher chance of succumbing to drug addiction than those in the general population. Many scientists speculate that those who suffer from PTSD’s effects use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. Unfortunately, adding drug use to an already challenging life situation can create even more problems.
For instance, using illegal drugs poses the problems associated with circumventing the law to obtain them. Even abusing prescription drugs can cause health and mental wellbeing problems due to the effects of long-term or excessive use of the medications.
For example, long-term use of opiates can increase the chances of brain damage from a lack of oxygen due to slowed breathing. These drugs also have addictive properties that change your brain chemistry to need more to get the same high. Consequently, the chances of an overdose will increase over time.
How Dual Diagnosis Treatment Can Help Those with Both PTSD and Drug Addiction
While many rehab centers focus only on recovery from substance use disorders, they may not address the need to get help for your PTSD, too. Therefore, you need to find a program that offers dual diagnosis treatment.
These programs differ from simple addiction recovery programs. Those enrolled in treatment for co-occurring mental health concerns get help to recover from both the psychological condition and the substance use addiction. For instance, those who suffer from both PTSD and substance use disorder can get therapy to address their trauma while learning ways to stop using drugs or alcohol. In addition to these benefits, those in dual diagnosis programs learn healthier coping methods to make substance use less likely in the future.
The best way to get to recovery with co-occurring problems is through a dual diagnosis program. However, within that program, you may experience some of the following:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Trauma therapy program
- Life skills training program
- PTSD treatment program
- Dialectical behavior therapy
Phone Bayview Recovery to Find Out About Treatment of PTSD and Drug Addiction
Coping with PTSD is already tricky. However, adding substance use to your life can add more complications to your health and mental wellbeing. Yet, you don’t have to continue to find self-medicating coping mechanisms. Contact Bayview Recovery at 855.478.3650. We offer psychotherapy, dual diagnosis, and other programs to help you recover from the trauma and substance use disorder. Let us become your partner on your road to recovery from PTSD and drug addiction.
