Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Tiktok
Rolling Hills Recovery Center combination logo

Our Location

855-559-8550

Get Help Now
Get Help Now
855-559-8550
Rolling hills recovery center combination logo
Take The First Step Now
Contact Us
Check Insurance
Take The First Step Now
Contact Us
Check Insurance

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Addiction

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Learn about PTSD-related addiction treatment, featuring specialized therapies to address trauma and substance use at Rolling Hills Recovery Center.

Start With a Phone Call
Check Insurance
Portrait of male veteran in PTSD support group.

Understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

What is PTSD?

It is normal to feel frightened during or after a traumatic event. Our body has useful reactions like the “fight or flight” response, which helps to cope with any dangerous situation. It is responsible for increased alertness and sensations to tackle any stressful event.

Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder in which a person feels danger and fear because of a history of trauma like abuse, assault, or the death of a loved one. The fight and flight response activates (even if no danger is detected in the surroundings) in a person with PTSD.

The patient gets flashbacks of the particular traumatic event. Sometimes only witnessing a stressful event like a disaster or accident can cause these symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thoughts of those events trigger severe anxiety.

Table of Contents

rolling hills recovery center front desk and logo on the wall.
Main enterance at rolling hills recovery center
large group room at rolling hills recovery center.
Levels of Care
Popular Topics
Families & Addiction

Key Symptoms Across Four Categories

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are divided into different categories. The patient should have these symptoms for over a month to get diagnosed with PTSD. Unfortunately, many people develop this mental illness years after the event. Following are the symptoms of PTSD.

Re-Experiencing the Scenario:

The re-experiencing symptoms can be triggered by any object or place which reminds the person of the previous traumatic event.​

  • Intrusive thoughts.

  • Flashbacks (recalling the event).

  • Nightmares. 

Avoidance Symptoms:

The person with PTSD avoids certain places or situations to avoid stress and anxiety. For example, a person who had a car accident may avoid driving afterward.​

  • Avoiding thoughts of the traumatic event.

  • Stay away or avoid talking about a particular place or situation.

Cognitive Symptoms:

The person experiences severe mood distress. The cognitive symptoms include:​

  • Negative thoughts.

  • Lack of interest in activities.

  • Feeling distracted from the present.

  • Distorted feelings like blame or guilt.

  • Facing memory problems.

  • Feeling hopeless about the future.

  • Feeling lost or numb emotionally. 

  • Concentration problems.

Arousal Symptoms:

The arousal symptoms can interfere with daily routines and activities like working, eating, and sleeping.​

  • Continuously feeling on edge.

  • Trouble sleeping.

  • Being startled easily.

  • Irritability and aggressiveness.

  • Overwhelming shame or guilt.

young sad woman in office having problem 2023 11 27 05 30 38 utc

Predisposing Elements & Potential Consequences of PTSD

Risk Factors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Some people are more prone to PTSD than others because of certain risk factors.​

  • Experienced any trauma in childhood.

  • Women are more likely to develop PTSD.

  • Exposed to intense trauma.

  • People who have other mental illnesses like anxiety or depression.

  • Having no personal or social support.

  • Feeling extreme fear or stress.

  • Witnessing a stressful event.

  • Losing a loved one accidentally.

  • History of substance abuse.

Complications of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD can lead to other mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Sometimes people also develop eating disorders too. In addition, people with post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) are more likely to engage in substance use disorder (SUD) and get addicted to drugs and alcohol.

There are affordable options for addiction treatment.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center works with a variety of healthcare providers.

Check Coverage Online
Check Online
Talk Over the Phone
Call (855) 559-8550

Did You KNow?

Most Major Insurance Will Help Cover the Cost of Treatment
anthem-white
cigna-1
mcr-aetna-white
mcr-beacon-white
med-mutual-white
prc-magellan
TRICARE_Logo_png
Call Today (855) 559-8550
Check Your Coverage
You Could Be Covered
100% for Treatment

Integrating Psychotherapy & Medication

Treatment for PTSD

The treatment of PTSD can include both psychotherapy and medications. These treatments can be given separately or in combination to treat the symptoms and encourage positive thinking in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

TALK THERAPY:

Talk therapy is one of the most effective types of psychotherapy in treating patients with PTSD. The therapist teaches the patient coping strategies, manages the intrusive thoughts, and helps them focus on their present life. There are three widely used therapy techniques practiced by therapists in treating post-traumatic stress disorder patients.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT):

This therapy includes thinking positively and changing the thoughts and feelings about certain stressful events.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy:

Prolonged exposure teaches the sufferer to gradually think about the stressful scenario that bothers the person and minimize the avoidance symptoms.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

EMDR helps you process and make sense of your trauma while paying attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound (like a finger waving side to side, a light, or a tone).

Medications:

The medicines used to treat other mental health conditions like depression or anxiety can significantly treat post-traumatic stress disorder patients. Although Benzodiazepines do not treat PTSD but reduce and manage the symptoms like anxiousness and sleep problems. These medicines can cause some severe side effects afterward.

Did You Know Rolling Hills Recovery Center Has A First Responders and Veterans Program?

A patient navigator is ready to help. Our team of dedicated professionals are here to help 24 hours a day.

Call (855) 559-8550

Strategies for Reducing the Risk of Developing Post-Traumatic Stress disorder

Prevention of PTSD

Many people develop fear and other frightening symptoms after surviving a traumatic event. They may experience flashbacks and even nightmares of the situation. Feeling of anger, fear, guilt, and blame are clear signs of having post-traumatic stress syndrome. On the other hand, most people don’t develop any PTSD symptoms.

If you are having any of the symptoms, ask for help immediately. Talking to someone can help manage and recover from trauma symptoms. Accept your feelings and sensations and try to overcome them gradually.

Share your emotions and fears with your loved ones or family and discuss that event. Instead of avoiding it, practice mindfulness and positive thinking to overcome guilt and sadness. Stay connected with your family and friends and spend some time doing creative activities like walking and aerobic exercises.

Our Patient Navigators Are Here When You Need Them

Our experienced staff is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have. Call today and change your tomorrow.

We're Here When You're Ready

Find Out Why We Have a 4.9 Rating on Google

Testimonials & Stories of Hope

Your Path to Freedom Begins Today

Don't Wait Any Longer. Transform Your Life Today.

Our caring treatment navigators are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to help you or your loved one. When you call Rolling Hills Recovery Center you can trust that you will find the help you need – at no cost or obligation to choose our program. Get started right now.

Call Today (855) 559-8550
Get a Callback Now
Request a Confidential 100% Confidential Callback

We Make Getting Help Easy

Our Simple Admissions Process

Treatment Planning
Assessment

Our clinical and medical teams review your personal history and circumstances in order to determine the best treatment plan based on your needs.

Schedule Admission Date
Intake

During intake you will be asked some more questions about your background & medical history. This allows us to fully formulate your treatment plan.

Tour the Facilities
Personal Tour

One of our caring team members will take you around the clinical facilities and introduce you to the rest of our team and current community. 

Settle In
Unwind & Relax

We know that the first day of treatment can be overwhelming for anyone. We work with you to ensure you ease yourself into the treatment process.

Our Admissions Process

In Conclusion

Approaches and Future Directions in PTSD Management

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more likely to develop in women and people with low self-esteem or suffering from any mental illness. Many types of research are being conducted to evaluate the risk factors for the early prevention of PTSD. Medications help reduce the symptoms but maintaining a healthy routine and lifestyle modification work best for long-term recovery.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) provides mental support to reason and changes the thoughts of fear, aggressiveness, and lack of motivation to accept, cope, and personalize. CBT is also an effective treatment for substance abuse like drugs or alcohol, which can be a powerful trigger of anxiety or depression in patients with PTSD.

Facebook Linkedin X-twitter Pinterest Instagram

Written By:

Dr. Saman Aftab, Ph.D.

Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health write at Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Dr. Saman is a mental health writer with over six years of experience in freelance writing, editing, and proofreading. She is a practicing healthcare professional holding a doctorate in physical therapy at DOW University of Health Sciences. Dr. Saman started content writing to blend her passion for writing and medicine with her extensive clinical experience.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

Start Your Journey

Stay Informed & Up-to-Date

Related Articles & Topics