Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make living a carefree life difficult, if not impossible. People suffering from PTSD may have symptoms that make it difficult to form relationships or maintain a career. If you have PTSD, you are not alone. A PTSD treatment program can help you learn to overcome and live with your symptoms while living a successful and productive life.
Many people who seek PTSD treatment at Florida Addictions Rehab are also struggling with addiction. If this is the case for you, you should look into dual-diagnosis therapy options. Clients with dual diagnoses suffer from both addiction and mental health concerns. If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol problems, look for a PTSD treatment center that offers a dual diagnosis.
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
While post-traumatic stress disorder is typically associated with military duty, it can affect any person who has undergone a stressful event. Not everyone who witnesses or experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD. Each year, more than one million people in the United States suffer from PTSD. You surely know someone who has this disease or who suffers from it.
PTSD symptoms usually appear within a month of the stressful event and may include:
- Relive the event as if it were happening in real time.
- Extreme emotional distress occurs when situations, sounds, pictures, smells, and/or people remind the person of a traumatic event.
- Avoid discussing or thinking about the traumatic experience.
- Always on the lookout, easily frightened or startled.
- Nightmares that may or may not contain elements of the original trauma
These are just a handful of the various PTSD symptoms. People suffering from this disease can experience it in many ways. A PTSD treatment facility can help patients suffering from the disease overcome their symptoms by processing the traumatic event in a healthy, safe, and productive setting.
PTSD and Addiction
People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder often develop addictions to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. When dealing with intrusive thoughts generated by PTSD, a person may find that using drugs or alcohol helps them relax.
Although this may seem to help in the short term, self-treatment with narcotics tends to worsen the disease. Furthermore, this can soon lead to drug abuse issues, with both conditions exacerbating each other.
If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD and addiction, consult an expert about engaging in the following:
- Men’s and women’s rehab programs
- Alcohol addiction treatment program
- Heroin addiction treatment program
- Opioid addiction treatment
Trauma-informed Therapy
Florida Addictions Rehab provides trauma-related treatment. Our team knows about post-traumatic stress disorder and the problems it causes, both with and without addiction. We offer many therapy options, including:
- Family therapy
- Expressive therapy
- Traditional counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Adventure therapy
We believe that there is no such thing as a typical example of PTSD, so we address each of our clients differently. When you seek treatment, a counselor will work with you to understand your specific circumstances. We will work together to develop a treatment plan that will get you on the path to recovery.
Signs of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a terrible event, experiencing it, or watching it. Symptoms may appear immediately after the event, or they may develop for months or years.
Here are some common signs of PTSD:
To re-experience trauma:
- Flashback: Vivid memories or bad dreams that make you feel like you are relieving a painful event.
- Intruder ideas: Unwanted and disturbing thoughts or images about painful phenomena.
- Physical reactions: Sweating, shaking, heart racing, or difficulty breathing when reminiscent of trauma.
Avoiding the reminder of trauma:
- Avoid places, people, or situations that remind you of a painful event.
- Talking about a painful incident.
- Loss of interest in enjoying activities once.
Negative thoughts and feelings:
- Negative thoughts about yourself or the world, such as guilt, uselessness, or disappointment.
- Difficulty feeling positive feelings, such as happiness or love.
- Feeling different from others.
Benefits of the PTSD Treatment Program
PTSD treatment programs can provide a variety of benefits to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. These benefits may include a reduction in PTSD symptoms: Treatment can help reduce the severity and frequency of PTSD symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, avoidant behaviors, and over-arousal. This can result in a major improvement in quality of life.
Improve coping skills: Treatment can teach people new ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and challenging emotions.
Enhanced emotional well-being: Therapy can help individuals deal with trauma and develop a more positive feeling about themselves.
Better relationships: PTSD often causes strain in relationships with family and friends. Therapy can help people communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships.
Increased Productivity: PTSD can impair concentration and focus at work or school.
It is important to remember that not everyone who participates in a PTSD treatment program will receive all the benefits. However, studies have shown that therapy is generally helpful in improving people’s quality of life.
If you are suffering from PTSD, you should seek professional treatment. A mental health specialist can analyze your specific needs and offer a treatment plan that is appropriate for you.
Contact Florida Addictions Rehab
There is hope for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. You must collaborate with a skilled practitioner who has field experience treating trauma.
If you have PTSD or exhibit signs of the disease, you may also be dealing with addiction. You must get help from a PTSD treatment program that provides dual diagnosis care. Centers for PTSD treatment take a trauma-informed approach, which is the best way to start your recovery journey.
At Florida Addictions Rehab, our staff is here to help. If you need help with PTSD, addiction, or both, we have you covered.
Contact Florida Addictions Rehab at (833) 338-0131 to speak with an admissions counselor.
