Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that stems from experiencing a traumatic event. While not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, it is a serious concern. The symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks or memories of the trauma, nightmares, insomnia, avoidance of reminders of a trauma, and unpredictable mood swings.
PTSD causes intense and lingering distress from past trauma, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional troubles. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 6 out of every 100 people struggle with PTSD.[1]
Unfortunately, posttraumatic stress disorder is often connected to addiction. People with PTSD might begin abusing drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their symptoms. Over time, this causes them to develop a substance use disorder that co-occurs with their PTSD.
Thankfully, co-occurring PTSD and addiction can be treated. Dual-diagnosis rehab programs provide a combination of mental health and addiction treatment approaches that make it possible to manage both conditions and live a full life.
- How are PTSD and addiction connected?
- Does co-occurring addiction and PTSD have to be treated at the same time?
- How does treatment for PTSD and addiction in Memphis work?
How is PTSD Connected to Addiction?
According to a study, up to 42.5% of people receiving addiction treatment also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.[2] But how are these conditions connected?
PTSD causes you to experience intense emotional symptoms. You also relive traumatic events that heavily affected you daily. These factors make someone highly likely to engage in drug or alcohol abuse.
On a short-term basis, abusing substances does provide temporary relief from PTSD. It numbs your emotions and makes it easier to cast aside memories of trauma. Unfortunately, using substances to self-medicate your PTSD will only cause more problems in the future.
Thankfully, it is possible to recover from co-occurring addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dual-diagnosis treatment centers can offer a wide range of treatment options that help you develop the coping skills you need to recover from addiction and PTSD.
How Does Treatment for Co-Occurring Addiction and PTSD in Memphis Work?
When you have co-occurring alcoholism or drug addiction and PTSD, you need to treat both conditions at the same time. Without doing so, the symptoms of the untreated disorder will cause a relapse in the other.
Treatment for PTSD and addiction in Memphis often includes:
Assessment
The first step of treatment for PTSD and addiction is an in-depth assessment. Medical professionals will ask you questions about your history of substance abuse, your mental health, and whether you have physical health conditions that require ongoing treatment. This information will be used to create an individualized treatment plan.
Medical Detox
Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. Detox helps you recover from withdrawal symptoms that occur when you stop using a drug you were addicted to. Medications are often used to limit withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings.
The exact treatment you receive during detox depends on what substance you are addicted to. For example, alcohol withdrawal symptoms are often treated with benzodiazepines, while opioids are treated with other opioid medications approved by the FDA.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Once you’ve overcome the physical aspects of addiction, you will begin tackling the underlying psychological causes. If you have PTSD, that means you’ll need to work through traumatic memories in therapy to lessen your chances of relapsing on drugs and alcohol in the future.
Dual diagnosis programs in Memphis use evidence-based therapies to help you recover from PTSD. This might involve cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).[3] These therapies treat PTSD by helping you lessen the emotional impact of traumatic memories and providing you with healthy coping mechanisms.
Relapse Prevention Planning
Before you complete your treatment program, you will engage in relapse prevention planning. This process provides you with the tools and support you need to avoid relapse by preparing you for dealing with triggers and lessening risk factors by offering ongoing services.
A major part of relapse prevention planning is aftercare. Aftercare provides services that keep you connected to your recovery after completing your dual diagnosis rehab program in Memphis. These may include:
- Continued therapy
- Medication management
- Access to an alumni support group
- Recommendations on local support groups like 12-step meetings
- Referrals to outpatient or sober living programs
- Case management services like vocational assistance
Get Connected to PTSD and Addiction Treatment in Memphis
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder like PTSD, it’s time to seek help. Dual-diagnosis rehab programs in Memphis can help you recover from both conditions simultaneously.
At PAX Memphis, we can connect you with a dual diagnosis treatment center that suits your needs. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.
References:
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): How Common Is PTSD in Adults
- Psychiatry Online: Substance Use Disorders in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of the Literature
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): A Review of PTSD and Current Treatment Strategies