If you’re struggling with both addiction and a trauma-related disorder such as PTSD, you’re not alone. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 45 percent of people who live with addiction also have a mental health disorder – this is known as a dual diagnosis. People who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as PTSD are twice as likely as the general population to suffer from a substance use disorder, and likewise, those who abuse drugs or alcohol are also likely to develop a mental health issue like anxiety or depression.
Because addiction and mental disorders are often intertwined, there are countless rehab centers like Mount Sinai Wellness Center that offer dual diagnosis treatment. If you or a loved one is suffering from trauma in addition to addiction, you may greatly benefit from the therapies and treatments that inpatient rehab facilities have, as it’s proven that treating both issues at the same time is more effective for your overall health.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health disorder impacting 8 million Americans across the country and is defined as being triggered by a terrifying event. When people are reminded of the event, they may experience negative symptoms such as nightmares and flashbacks, which can produce feelings of panic, anxiety, depression, and more.
Trauma can affect people at various stages of their life. Some people are traumatized because of events that occurred in their lives as children, while others develop trauma later in life after a sudden accident. Some common causes of trauma include:
- Sexual or physical assault
- Childhood abuse
- Death of a loved one
- Military combat
- Natural disasters
- Acts of terrorism
- Serious accidents and injuries
It’s not uncommon for survivors of abuse to develop drug or alcohol addictions as a coping mechanism. Many people rely on the feelings of euphoria or calmness that drugs bring to feel temporarily at peace, while others drink to avoid painful memories. However, many drugs, like alcohol, are depressants and usually make the user feel worse than they did before over time.
How Trauma is Treated
Trauma can be treated using a variety of effective and proven methods at rehab facilities. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly used treatments for people with trauma that is used to identify patterns of distorted thinking. Through this therapy, the therapist can understand the relationship a patient has with their addiction and how trauma is involved.
Another form of therapy often used to reduce PTSD-related symptoms is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This psychotherapy treatment helps alleviate the distress people with trauma often feel when they access painful memories. People with dual diagnoses have also been known to benefit from mindfulness techniques and alternative therapies such as yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, meditation, and equine therapy.
Because every person’s addiction and trauma are different, many rehab centers offer a range of therapies that can be tailored according to the patient’s needs. If you’re experiencing negative side effects from your dual diagnosis such as hopelessness about the future, detachment from loved ones, intrusive memories, and more, going to rehab to receive professional help can be your best chance at improving your life.
Learn More About Our Trauma Track
Mount Sinai Wellness Center offers a range of dual diagnosis treatment options, including a trauma track that is designed to treat individuals who, in addition to substance abuse, suffer from trauma-related disorders such as PTSD, complex trauma, depression, anxiety, and ASD (Acute Stress Disorder).
Patients who are treated for trauma in addition to addiction can expect our team of professionals to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being in all of our services, which can include recreation therapy, individual sessions, and daily process groups. Our patients work closely with our licensed therapist, who has a certification in trauma work and has helped countless patients heal. Trauma can manifest itself in many complicated ways, but at our facility, we can help you process what you’ve been through in a healthy and sustainable way.
We welcome all inquiries and are happy to walk you through the steps of our dual diagnosis program when you contact us online or by phone at (800) 353-4673. We provide our patients with a serene and comforting environment to heal in.
