PTSD and Addiction Treatment
The best PTSD and addiction treatment involves a comprehensive evaluation of the individual's mental and emotional health. These evaluations are crucial because the patient may have an underlying mental illness or undiagnosed condition. Moreover, the treatment will include both physical and psychological support and therapy. In some cases, medication is prescribed to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings. In such a case, dual diagnosis treatment programs help the individual achieve sobriety and learn effective coping strategies.
An individual suffering from PTSD may experience intense emotions or mood disorders that can affect their everyday lives. These people may turn to alcohol or drugs to alleviate their symptoms. This could create a vicious cycle, leading to further addiction. However, it is possible to deal with these problems through professional PTSD treatment and addiction. If a person experiences these symptoms, he or she should immediately seek professional help for addiction. A reputable treatment facility will offer dual diagnosis treatments for a patient's condition.
Individual and group therapy are valuable for treating PTSD and addiction. Both therapies involve group sessions and are monitored by a therapist. Individual and group therapy helps the person become introspective about their experiences, and develop coping mechanisms to cope with triggers. It is also a good idea to include family members in the treatment plan. When one person struggles with both addiction and PTSD, their relationship may be negatively affected. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all involved parties understand the impact of the disorders and their consequences on the patient's life.
Various medications are also available to treat PTSD and addiction. SSRI antidepressants are often prescribed for patients with PTSD and are often used in combination with therapy. Benzodiazepines are also commonly prescribed for short-term use. Combined with therapy, these medications can help the patient cope with stressful situations and build up positive coping mechanisms. However, if a person has a supportive network, it will reduce the risk of developing PTSD.
While some therapists are adept at treating the symptoms of PTSD and addiction, others are a better fit for this particular type of treatment. While there is no specific treatment for PTSD and addiction, some facilities specialize in treating this dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis program will target both addiction and PTSD at the same time. This type of treatment will help the patient stay out of the cycle of addiction and PTSD, while also working to prevent relapse.
Regardless of the specific causes of the individual's PTSD, the association between the two disorders is highly significant. Many people with PTSD turn to alcohol or drugs as a means of escape and self-medication. Unfortunately, this self-medication is accompanied by dangerous consequences, such as incarceration, poverty, and a host of other complications. In many cases, a person with PTSD can be highly addicted to alcohol, and may even develop a drug addiction in conjunction with the PTSD. You can view here for more info.
Look here for added details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder