Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can affect individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. This condition can cause symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and avoidance of triggers related to the traumatic event.
Although it is common for people to experience some level of distress after a traumatic event, if these symptoms persist and significantly disrupt daily life, it may be necessary to seek professional help. Many individuals turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms, leading to a cycle of addiction and worsening PTSD symptoms.
A PTSD treatment program can help a person manage symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. If you or a loved one are looking for PTSD treatment in Chandler, AZ, American Drug Recovery can help. We provide PTSD treatment services to clients in our substance abuse treatment program because we understand the strong connection between PTSD and substance abuse.
Contact us at (866) 788-4745 today to learn about our compassionate PTSD therapy and treatment options.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can develop after a traumatic event or experience. Traumatic events can include:
- Physical or sexual assault
- War and combat-related experiences
- Natural disasters
- Medical procedures
- Witnessing a traumatic event
PTSD is a way that the brain and body cope with intense stress when the normal cognitive processes for processing trauma are overwhelmed. The traumatic experience is not cognitively or emotionally processed, and people may experience intrusive thoughts and flashbacks that make it challenging to live their lives. It is a normal and understandable reaction to an abnormal event.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD is a debilitating condition that may cause a variety of uncomfortable, disruptive symptoms. Common signs of PTSD include:
- Re-experiencing the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
- Avoiding people, places, and activities that remind the person of the trauma
- Adverse changes in mood and thinking, including feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and self-blame
- Hyperarousal symptoms like difficulty sleeping, irritability, and hypervigilance
These symptoms can significantly impact a person’s ability to function in daily life and may lead to the development of other mental health conditions like depression and substance use disorders.
The Relationship Between PTSD and Substances
PTSD and substance use disorders (SUD) often co-occur, meaning that they can develop simultaneously, or one may lead to the other. Many people with PTSD turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. Self-medicating in this manner can provide temporary relief from distressing symptoms. However, substance use can worsen PTSD symptoms and lead to the development of a SUD.
Additionally, people who struggle with substance abuse are more likely to experience traumatic events, increasing their risk of developing PTSD. They may enter a cycle where substance use can trigger or worsen PTSD symptoms, and untreated PTSD can increase the likelihood of substance abuse.
How Our PTSD Treatment Program Can Help
We create post-traumatic stress disorder treatment plans crafted to the individual needs of each of our clients. Typically, treatment plans include both group and individual therapy sessions.
Group Therapy
Group sessions provide the support of a caring group of peers who understand the unique challenges of PTSD. Individual sessions offer an opportunity to work on personal issues with a therapist one-on-one.
Family Therapy
Family therapy can also be an integral component of the PTSD treatment process. We understand that traumatic events can have lasting effects on loved ones, and our goal is to create an environment of healing for everyone involved.
Trauma-Informed Care
Our trauma-informed care is based on the understanding that PTSD results from an abnormally traumatic event. We use evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you develop healthy coping skills and manage the symptoms of PTSD.
Our trained therapists are also equipped to address any co-occurring disorders that may be present, such as substance abuse or depression.
Contact American Drug Recovery to Start Healing from Trauma
If you or a loved one is living with PTSD and a co-occurring substance use disorder, help is available. At American Drug Recovery, we understand the complexity of this condition. We are here to offer comprehensive PTSD treatment services that provide you or a loved one the best chance of long-term recovery and increased well-being.
Call us today at (866) 788-4745 or contact our team online to begin your journey to recovery. Our PTSD treatment program can help you or your loved one find peace and healing.
