The lasting effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by traumatic experiences in someone’s past can cause them to turn to substances to deal with the mental and emotional fallout. This can really hinder peoples’ functioning and lead to a vicious cycle where they continue abusing drugs or alcohol, experience more trauma, and get deeper into their addiction as a way of compensating.
A trauma-related addiction program is critical for helping clients break that self-destructive loop. Our team of experts will work with you to heal your trauma as part of your substance abuse treatment.
How Substance Use Affects Trauma Symptoms
For some, the allure of drugs and alcohol seems to offer a reprieve from the debilitating effects of trauma. You may experience a numbing of emotions, start socially isolating, and experience feelings of anger and depression. Continued substance use as a method of self-medication often leads to addiction issues that reduce a person’s ability to survive in the real world.
People are sometimes diagnosed with acute stress disorder (ASD) after undergoing a traumatic incident. People with ASD may feel like the world around them isn’t real, or they may disconnect from other people. Images and flashbacks from past events can have a lasting negative effect. When an ASD lasts longer than a month, that condition typically leads to a diagnosis of PTSD.
Many adults diagnosed with PTSD and a substance use disorder often have other underlying problems. Many who participate in a trauma-related treatment program for addiction often end up diagnosed with other issues, such as:
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorder
A trauma-related substance abuse treatment program in Houston can help show people a better way of navigating the physical and psychological side effects of past trauma.
Our Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
The overarching goal of our substance abuse treatment programs in Houston following trauma to improve the daily functioning and overall quality of life for residents. We do this by reducing the impact of symptoms and emotional turmoil that occur when a person experiences significant trauma. We also work with clients and residents to build upon their existing strengths and assist them in rediscovering their personal and emotional truths concerning fear, trust, honesty, and dependency.
Fulling addressing a substance use disorder typically requires professional care and treatment. Addiction treatment programs offer help to those seeking a trauma addiction program by giving people access to the type of care that helps them move away from substances to deal with their issues.
Those who come to us deep in the throes of a substance use program may benefit from one of our detox programs. From there, our doctors and specialists help draw up a trauma-related addiction program specific to their needs. They can choose to participate in any of the following services offered at our treatment center:
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Outpatient treatment program (OTP)
- Drug addiction treatment program
- Alcohol addiction treatment program
Heal Your Trauma with Professional Help
People who suffer from some form of PTSD may need help dealing with the alcohol or drug addictions they have developed as a result of their trauma. The longer that trauma remains untreated, the further an individual may fall into a substance use disorder. Learn more about addiction and mental health treatment services offered at a center near you.
