Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health concern that often co-occurs with addiction. Characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and extreme emotions, PTSD can make it difficult to live a normal life. Once thought of as a condition that only affected veterans, it’s now clear that PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced trauma. Traumatic events like car accidents, assaults, or natural disasters can cause PTSD.
A Better State offers a comprehensive PTSD treatment program that addresses both addiction and PTSD. Our program includes individual and group therapy, trauma-focused care, and experiential therapy. This approach to PTSD treatment can help clients reclaim their lives and move forward.
If you’re ready to learn more about our PTSD treatment program in New Hampshire, contact A Better State today at 781.412.1488 or reach out to our team online.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur after someone has experienced a traumatic event. This condition develops because the person has difficulty processing and coping with the event. The brain wants to protect itself from reliving the trauma, so it stores the memories of the event in a different part of the brain.
PTSD can make it difficult to live a normal life. Some common symptoms of PTSD include:
- Flashbacks or reliving the event – This can be in the form of nightmares or intrusive thoughts
- Avoidance behaviors – These behaviors include trying to avoid any reminders of the event, such as people, places, or anything that triggers memories
- Emotional dysregulation – Often, this manifests as anger, irritability, or mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping – This can include insomnia, night terrors, or nightmares
- Difficulty concentrating – Trouble focusing can make it harder to complete tasks at work or at school
- Feeling constantly on edge – This is known as hypervigilance
PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced a traumatic event, regardless of age, race, or gender. It can develop right away, or it may not appear until years after the event.
How Does PTSD Affect Addiction?
PTSD and addiction often go hand-in-hand. This is because people who have PTSD may turn to substances as a way to cope with their symptoms. Drinking alcohol or using drugs might provide temporary relief from the symptoms of PTSD, but it’s only a short-term solution. Substance use can actually make PTSD symptoms worse.
The good news is that when PTSD and addiction are treated together, the outcomes are often better. This is because both conditions are treated simultaneously, rather than one after the other. When both conditions are addressed, clients can learn how to manage their symptoms and cope in healthy ways.
What Can You Expect in Our PTSD Treatment Program?
If you’re considering enrolling in a PTSD treatment program, it’s important to choose a program that’s right for you. There are many different types of PTSD treatment programs, so it’s important to find one that meets your needs.
Trauma therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are two of the approaches we use to help clients in our PTSD treatment program. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that’s designed to help people with borderline personality disorder. It’s also been found to be helpful for people with PTSD. DBT helps clients learn how to manage their emotions, tolerate distress, and improve their relationships. The skills learned in DBT can be helpful for people with PTSD. Trauma therapy is another approach we use in our PTSD treatment program. This type of therapy can help clients process their trauma and learn how to cope with their symptoms.
Find Relief from PTSD at A Better State
If you’re ready to learn more about our PTSD treatment program in New Hampshire, contact A Better State today at 781.412.1488. We’ll help you reach your goals with consistent support and comprehensive care.
