Living with both PTSD and addiction feels overwhelming, but you’re not alone. A lot of people who experience trauma turn to substances as a way to cope, leading to the complex challenge of treating both conditions at the same time. Co-occurring PTSD and addiction require specialized care addressing the unique needs of each disorder, as well as the ways they interact.
Finding the right treatment can make all the difference if you or someone you love is facing this battle.
At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we offer comprehensive dual-diagnosis treatment to help you overcome both PTSD and addiction, providing the tools and support needed for long-term recovery.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that develops after you experience or witness a traumatic event. While trauma can take many forms, some of the most common causes include combat exposure, physical or sexual abuse, serious accidents or natural disasters.
For those living with PTSD, the brain becomes locked in a state of hyper-awareness, responding to ordinary situations like they’re threatening or dangerous.
Untreated PTSD can profoundly impact your daily life. Over time, the stress and fear associated with PTSD can make it tough to engage in normal activities, and there are a lot of people who turn to substances to numb their pain.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a condition characterized by compulsive substance use, even in the face of the negative and harmful consequences it’s causing. It affects the brain and body, leading to significant mental and physical health issues over time.
Whether addiction is to alcohol, opioids, prescription medicines or other drugs, addiction rewires the brain’s reward system, so it’s hard to stop using a substance even when someone wants to.
Addictive substances provide temporary relief from things like anxiety, trauma or stress, but can often lead to a cycle of dependence and worsening health.
Addiction symptoms include compulsive behavior, intense cravings and physical withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance. These can range from anxiety and irritability to more severe symptoms like nausea, seizures or hallucinations, depending on the substance involved.
Addiction affects every part of a person’s life, from their ability to function at school or work to their relationships.
Over time, addiction isolates individuals, and the need to use drugs or alcohol becomes their primary focus, typically at the expense of personal connections and responsibilities.
Early intervention and comprehensive treatment are essential to break the cycle and restore balance and well-being.
The Connection Between PTSD and Addiction
There’s a well-documented connection between PTSD and addiction, with a high rate of co-occurrence among individuals suffering from both conditions. In fact, up to 44.6% of people with lifetime PTSD met the criteria for an alcohol or substance use disorder.
People with PTSD are significantly more likely to develop a substance use disorder since trauma often leads to seeking relief through drugs or alcohol. Substance use can temporarily dull the emotional pain of trauma, so it becomes a common coping mechanism for those dealing with PTSD. This, unfortunately, creates a dangerous cycle. While substances might provide short-term relief, over time, they ultimately make PTSD symptoms worse.
Drug and alcohol effects can raise anxiety levels, worsen flashbacks and disrupt sleep, all of which make PTSD harder to manage. At the same time, untreated PTSD symptoms can lead someone to increase their substance use, further fueling addiction.
This cyclical relationship makes it necessary to treat both PTSD and addiction at the same time. Without addressing the underlying trauma, attempts to overcome addiction are likely to result in relapse.
Similarly, treating PTSD along with addiction management might leave you vulnerable to substance use to cope with unresolved emotional pain.
Integrated treatment is needed to break the cycle and promote long-term recovery.
Treatment Approaches for PTSD and Addiction
At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we take a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to treatment for PTSD and addiction.
Our integrated treatment plans are tailored to the needs of individuals struggling with co-occurring conditions.
Key treatment approaches we offer that may be part of your treatment for PTSD and addiction include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PTSD and Addiction: CBT is a highly effective therapy helpful in learning to manage negative behaviors and thought patterns associated with PTSD and addiction. Through identifying and challenging negative or harmful thoughts, you learn to cope with trauma and reduce the risk of relapse.
- Trauma-focused therapy: Trauma-focused therapy specifically is meant to help individuals process and heal from past traumatic experiences. In this therapy, there’s a safe space facilitated to work through the trauma experienced so that you can then develop coping strategies and benefit from a reduction in the emotional impact of the past on present behavior.
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction: For those dealing with substance use disorders, MAT combines behavioral therapies with FDA-approved medicines to ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms. MAT can be a key tool in addiction recovery, helping stabilize health while the underlying causes of addiction are being worked on.
- Holistic approaches: At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we believe in treating the whole person, not just their symptoms, so we offer holistic therapies like mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. These can be especially helpful when you’re dealing with PTSD and addiction, as they promote overall mental and physical well-being.
Each of these approaches is tailored to support recovery from both PTSD and addiction so our clients receive the in-depth care needed to heal and thrive.
Levels of Care at New Jersey Behavioral Health
At New Jersey Behavioral Health, we offer several levels of care to meet the needs of individuals at different stages of their recovery journey.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
If you’re seeking treatment for PTSD and addiction, our partial hospitalization program (PHP) could be a good fit for your needs. It’s the most intensive level of care we provide, designed for clients requiring structured treatment but not residential care.
In this program, clients participate in daily therapy and receive comprehensive support to focus on recovery while returning home in the evenings.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
IOP is a step down from PHP, providing more flexibility and intensive support. Clients attend a mix of therapy sessions, group discussions, and one-on-one support to maintain their daily responsibilities while continuing to receive needed care.
Outpatient Program
Our outpatient program is for those needing ongoing support who can manage their symptoms with less frequent treatment. It’s an ideal fit for long-term recovery plans, following PHP or IOP, helping clients maintain progress and prevent relapse with regular check-ins and therapy sessions.
How to Get Treatment for PTSD and Addiction in New Jersey
New Jersey Behavioral Health offers specialized dual diagnosis treatment to ensure both PTSD and addiction are treated at the same time for lasting recovery. Our highly trained staff uses evidence-based treatments and personalized care plans to meet each client’s unique needs.
If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD and addiction, finding the right treatment is crucial. New Jersey Behavioral Health is here to provide the support, therapies and care needed for healing.
References:
- National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: PTSD: National Center for PTSD