June is PTSD Awareness Month, which makes this the best month to seek treatment for addiction and PTSD. It is crucial to be cautious about the treatment program you choose for PTSD in recovery. If someone is struggling to overcome alcohol or substance use disorders, they need the help of a professional with experience in treating a dual diagnosis. Rehab can help teach more about these treatment options and other addiction recovery plans. During this unique month, Bayview Recovery is proud to provide treatment for this problematic condition. To learn more about our PTSD treatment program, please contact Bayview Recovery today at 855.478.3650.

How Does PTSD Develop?

You develop PTSD when you survive a traumatic event that is so severe your brain refuses to heal. Your mind becomes unable to resist the fear, anger, or shock resulting from the event.

PTSD symptoms can unsettle your professional efficiency at work, destroy your relationships, and isolate you from loved ones. A few potentially traumatic experiences include:

• Physical or sexual assault
• Car crashes
• Loss of a loved one
• Acts of terror
• Chronic illnesses

Such kinds of experiences often cause the victims to abuse drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.

PTSD Treatment Should Be Trauma-Focused

According to statistics, most people seeking treatment for alcohol or substance use disorders also suffer from trauma. The situation presents a unique problem requiring customized solutions. Usually, therapists will help their clients remember, understand, process, and express their negative thought patterns to treat their mental disorders.

However, most individuals with severe PTSD cannot even access their memories because of resorting to drug abuse as a coping mechanism. Drug use can separate you from your traumatic memories for a long time while causing the situation to deteriorate. Trauma-informed care considers the unique aspects of trauma survivors when offering treatment.

Treating PTSD Requires Patience

Upon finishing drug or alcohol detox, people with PTSD can react to therapy strangely. As such, they require patience and understanding because they have nothing to mask their memories. They can now remember the traumatic things they thought they had forgotten.
Individuals in this early stage of recovery can also fail to realize how to manage or regulate their feelings and emotions. Trauma-informed care calls for empathy and understanding of all emotional outbursts, actions, and responses to treatment.

The ideal environment for treating PTSD in recovery should have compassion. It focuses on the foundation of safety and security.

How to Handle PTSD in Recovery

Before treating the symptoms of PTSD, therapists often begin by eliminating the possibility of alcohol or drug relapse. The standard relapse prevention techniques include:

• Regular sessions with your therapist
• Active participation in peer support activities
• Proper adherence to rules in sober living homes
• Self-help meetings
• Regular exercises

Effective treatment can only work if you adhere to the directives of your therapist. When you are ready, your therapist will take you through an individualized PTSD treatment program. Such a program aims to alleviate your symptoms, teach you healthy coping skills, and restore your self-esteem.

Treatment Options Available at Bayview Recovery

During PTSD Awareness Month, take the time to consider the treatment options available to you. For instance, standard evidence-based treatment options for PTSD include:

• Outpatient rehab program
• Addiction therapy programs
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Dual diagnosis treatment programs

It can feel overwhelming to deal with the symptoms of PTSD because the dangers of relapse are real. When you decide to seek rehab treatment, you will need professionals who understand what you are going through. At Bayview Recovery, our experts will strive to ensure you overcome your mental health condition. Our therapists will work closely with you to design a customized treatment plan for your PTSD in recovery. Contact us today at 855.478.3650 for more information about PTSD treatment and addiction recovery programs.