June is PTSD Awareness Month, an important time to spotlight the significant overlap between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and addiction. Research reveals that nearly half of those seeking addiction treatment also struggle with PTSD, a statistic that illustrates the critical need for integrated treatment strategies that address both mental health and substance use disorders.
The Complex Link Between PTSD & Addiction
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that stems from experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or otherwise traumatic event. This includes things like combat, natural disasters and serious accidents, as well as personal assaults like robbery or sexual violence.
The aftermath of such trauma can lead to a variety of chronic and distressing symptoms, all of which can significantly impact an individual’s daily functioning and overall quality of life.
Symptoms and Impact of PTSD
The symptoms of PTSD can be categorized into four main groups:
- Intrusive memories: This includes recurring, unwanted and distressing memories of the traumatic event, flashbacks (reliving the trauma as if it were happening again), and nightmares.
- Avoidance: Those with PTSD may avoid places, activities, people, and situations that remind them of the traumatic event. This also often extends to avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the trauma.
- Negative changes in thinking and mood: This can involve negative feelings about oneself or others, feelings of hopelessness about the future, memory problems, and difficulty maintaining close relationships.
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions: Also known as arousal symptoms, these include being easily startled or frightened, always being on guard for danger, self-destructive behavior like drinking too much or driving too fast, trouble sleeping, and irritability or angry outbursts.
The Role of Substance Use in PTSD
Many people with PTSD turn to substances like alcohol or drugs as a means of self-medication to alleviate the pain and distress caused by these symptoms. Alcohol, for instance, is often used to help manage insomnia and anxiety. Similarly, drugs might be used to numb feelings of sadness, anxiety, or isolation.
However, this self-medication inevitably escalates into substance dependence and addiction. Initially, the individual might feel relief from PTSD symptoms through substance use, but over time, this behavior can exacerbate their symptoms. As the body becomes tolerant to the substances, higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect, leading to a dangerous cycle of increased use and increased tolerance.
The Vicious Cycle: Addiction Intensifies PTSD
This interplay between PTSD and addiction creates a vicious cycle—PTSD symptoms lead to increased substance use, while the effects of substance abuse worsen PTSD symptoms. This cycle complicates treatment, as addressing one condition without the other often leads to limited success.
For example, substance use can blunt the effectiveness of PTSD treatments such as psychotherapy because substances can impair cognitive and emotional processing. Similarly, the ongoing psychological distress from untreated PTSD can make it exceedingly difficult to manage and recover from addiction.
Integrated Treatment Strategies for PTSD & Substance Use
Given this complex interconnection between PTSD, substance use, and addiction, treating each in isolation is rarely effective.
Rather, what’s needed is an integrated treatment approach, like the one at Enterhealth, which uses comprehensive psychological and medical assessments to create personalized treatment plans that address these issues simultaneously.
Specifically for trauma-related cases, it’s critical to involve treatment modalities such as:
- Trauma-Informed Care (TIC): TIC forms the core of effective treatment strategies for PTSD within the addiction recovery context. It involves recognizing the widespread impact of trauma and understanding potential paths for recovery. By integrating knowledge about trauma into all treatment aspects, providers offer a safer, more supportive environment.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a cornerstone of dual diagnosis treatment. It helps patients modify negative thought patterns that lead to destructive behaviors. By addressing both PTSD symptoms and addiction behaviors, CBT aims to reduce the urge to self-medicate and improve emotional regulation.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): MAT can play a crucial role, particularly in the early stages of treatment. By managing withdrawal symptoms and stabilizing mood, medications can enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Overcoming Challenges in Recovery
Recovery from PTSD and addiction presents several challenges that not only impact the individuals suffering but also the framework in place to support their recovery. During PTSD Awareness Month, we feel it’s important to focus on these issues and advocate for improved support systems and comprehensive care solutions.
Dealing with High Relapse Rates
One of the most significant challenges in the recovery from PTSD and addiction is the high risk of relapse. Relapse in substance use is common—both to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, and as a coping mechanism against the intense and distressing symptoms of PTSD or other mental health conditions—and highlights the need for robust relapse prevention strategies within treatment programs.
These strategies include things like ongoing therapy, medication management, stress reduction techniques, and continuous peer support, all tailored to address the specific triggers and vulnerabilities of the individual.
Combating Societal Stigma
Societal stigma is another pervasive barrier that can prevent individuals from seeking the help they need. The stigma associated with mental health issues and addiction can lead to discrimination, social isolation, and a decrease in self-esteem. These, in turn, worsen the symptoms of PTSD and the dependency on substances.
During PTSD Awareness Month, there is a unique opportunity to challenge these stigmas through education, open conversations, and by elevating the voices of those who have experienced these challenges firsthand. Efforts to normalize mental health care and substance use treatment can lead to more individuals seeking help without fear of judgment.
Advocating for Better Support Systems
The importance of ongoing support cannot be overstated in the context of recovery from PTSD and addiction. Continuous care that adapts to the changing needs of the individual is crucial.
Advocacy for policies that ensure access to comprehensive and continuous care is necessary. This includes pushing for insurance coverage for long-term treatment, support for mental health services in all communities, and the integration of mental health care into primary health care systems.
Enterhealth Wants to Help
As we observe PTSD Awareness Month, we’re renewing our commitment to those affected by both PTSD and addiction.
Enterhealth offers personalized treatment plans for both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. At both our inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, we offer a variety of evidence-based medical and therapeutic advancements such as EMDR, trauma-informed therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, and more to help patients and their families heal and recover.
Recovery is a challenging but rewarding path, and with the right support and resources, it’s possible to achieve lasting wellness.
