Can post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse co-occur? At Virtue Recovery Killeen, our caring and compassionate team understands that mental health conditions such as PTSD can significantly impact an individual’s life and potentially lead to substance abuse. In our PTSD treatment program, we provide comprehensive and personalized care for individuals struggling with PTSD and addiction. Contact our team online or call 866-843-0545 today to learn how PTSD can lead to substance abuse.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. It can result from various incidents, such as:
- Military combat
- Natural disasters
- Physical or sexual assault
- Car accidents
- Childhood abuse
While previously classified as an anxiety disorder, PTSD is now categorized as a trauma and stress-related disorder. This update better reflects the complex nature of PTSD and its potential impact on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
What Are the Signs of PTSD?
Recognizing the signs of PTSD is crucial for early intervention and treatment. Common symptoms include:
- Recurrent, unwanted, distressing memories of the traumatic event
- Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to reminders of the traumatic event
- Adverse changes in thinking and mood
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions
- Avoidance of places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event
Individuals struggling with PTSD may experience symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. These symptoms can be debilitating and interfere with daily life.
Can PTSD Lead to Substance Abuse and Addiction?
Yes, PTSD can lead to substance abuse and addiction. Individuals with PTSD may turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication, attempting to numb their pain or gain control over their intrusive memories and high anxiety levels. This use can escalate over time, resulting in addiction. Hence, the link between PTSD and substance abuse is significant and concerning.
Why Is Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders Crucial?
When PTSD and addiction occur together, they are referred to as co-occurring disorders. Treatment for these co-occurring disorders is vital because:
- Untreated PTSD can make recovery from substance abuse more difficult.
- Substance abuse can exacerbate PTSD symptoms, leading to a vicious cycle of worsening mental health and addiction.
- Treatment for one condition is less effective if the other condition goes untreated.
At Virtue Recovery Killeen, we offer dual diagnosis treatment for individuals struggling with both PTSD and addiction.
What Are the Benefits of Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
While there are certainly more combinations of co-occurring disorders other than PTSD and addiction, our dual diagnosis treatment program at Virtue Recovery Killeen provides a comprehensive approach to address both conditions simultaneously. Benefits of our dual diagnosis treatment include:
- Comprehensive care – We treat both conditions simultaneously, providing a holistic approach to recovery.
- Personalized treatment plans – Our team creates customized treatment plans tailored to each individual’s needs.
- Therapeutic support – We offer various therapeutic modalities, including individual, group, and family therapy.
- Relapse prevention – Our program includes relapse prevention strategies to help individuals maintain their recovery long-term.
At Virtue Recovery Killeen, we are committed to providing comprehensive and personalized care to help individuals overcome their struggles with PTSD and addiction.
Enroll in a PTSD Treatment Program at Virtue Recovery Killeen
Understanding the relationship between PTSD and substance abuse is crucial in addressing these co-occurring disorders effectively. If you or a loved one are grappling with these issues, don’t hesitate to contact Virtue Recovery Killeen online or call 866-843-0545 today. Start your journey towards better mental health and addiction recovery today with our caring and compassionate team by your side.
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Gigi Price holds licenses as a Master Social Worker and Clinical Drug Counselor. She completed her master’s degree in Social Work at Texas State University. Over the last decade, Gigi has been dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practices to enhance patient care and treatment planning, resulting in positive, long-term outcomes for patients and their families. Her passion lies in creating a treatment environment where professionals collaborate to bring about positive change and provide a safe, trustworthy therapeutic experience. Patients can be confident in receiving top-quality care under her leadership.
In her role as the Clinical Director of Virtue Recovery Houston, Gigi conducted research to identify the most effective approaches for treating patients with acute mental health diagnoses, PTSD, and Substance Use Disorder. She then assembled a team of skilled clinicians who could offer various therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
(DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Exposure, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Gigi takes pride in overseeing the development and implementation of Virtue Houston’s Treatment Program, which includes two specialized therapeutic curricula tailored to the unique needs of individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction, and PTSD.
