Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a commonly diagnosed condition characterized by emotional and physical symptoms following trauma. While the disorder is commonly associated with people who have served in war zones, anyone who has experienced a traumatic event can develop PTSD. Many people who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder also develop substance or alcohol use issues. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery, we understand how PTSD can create complications with addiction, and we’re here to help. We help our clients detox comfortably and quickly to prepare for a smooth transition to recovery.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is essentially the mind and body being on high alert for future trauma, even after the danger has long passed. Most people who develop PTSD symptoms do so within a month of the aggravating incident. These symptoms can last months or even years after the incident.
Symptoms show up differently from person to person, so it’s hard to answer the question of “What is PTSD?” in a way that covers all people who suffer from the condition. Generally, symptoms of PTSD include:
- Avoidance of talking about or thinking about the traumatic event
- Sleep disturbances, including nightmares that may or may not involve the event
- Flashbacks of the event
- Feeling like the event is happening again in real-time
- Feeling panic attacks or anxiety at things that remind the person of the event, such as sounds, smells, sights, or touch
PTSD and Substance Use
For many people who suffer from PTSD, their brain never seems to rest. They may feel constantly plagued by thoughts of the incident. PTSD can overshadow every aspect of a person’s life. Many people who have post-traumatic stress disorder self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. They may choose to self-medicate because they’re afraid to ask for professional help to deal with their symptoms. This is especially common among people who have served in the military and are afraid that a PTSD diagnosis could harm their career.
When people who have PTSD self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, they may find that their symptoms disappear while they’re high or drunk. This welcome respite from the white noise of PTSD can become addicting. Many people find that as the high or buzz fades, the PTSD symptoms return with a vengeance. This causes increased cravings for drugs or alcohol, and the addiction spiral begins.
Treatment At Serenity House Detox & Recovery
At Serenity House, our staff is specially trained to help trauma victims. We are able to recognize PTSD symptoms in our clients. We offer several different trauma-informed detox approaches to our clients, including:
- Medical detox program
- Oxycodone detox program
- Alcohol detox program
- Cocaine detox program
- Meth detox program
- Methadone detox center program
Call Serenity House
Now that you know the answer to the question, “What is PTSD?” you may recognize that you require trauma-informed care. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery, we’re here to help you through the detox process. Our trauma-informed staff understands how PTSD can affect our clients, and we’ll be here with you every step of the way.
You do not have to live your life addicted to drugs or alcohol. Serenity House can help get you started on the path to recovery. Call us today at 866.294.5306 to learn more about our detox process. Our admissions counselors will work with you to help you decide if what we offer is a good fit for your needs. Having PTSD does not doom you to a lifetime of self-medication. Recovery is possible, and all you need to do is pick up the phone to get started.
