Mental health contributes to substance abuse and addiction. Depression, anxiety, and stress can lead to substance abuse because it induces a temporary escape from reality. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental disorder that causes depression, intense anxiety, and intrusive memories or flashbacks that interfere with life.
Many people develop PTSD from childhood abuse, military combat, natural disasters, and sexual assault. First responders are at risk of PTSD due to on-scene tragedies, accidents, or crimes. People with PTSD often turn to drugs or alcohol to suppress painful memories.
Drug and alcohol abuse can lead to addiction. A person suffering with PTSD and addiction needs treatment for both conditions simultaneously as a dual diagnosis. A person who lives with PTSD will use drugs or alcohol to block recurring thoughts of trauma. He or she will use more and more to escape from painful memories and flashbacks, which increases the risk of drug or alcohol addiction.
A dual diagnosis is a combined treatment for PTSD and addiction and is monitored by medical professionals who can administer medication, if needed. Drugs can worsen symptoms of PTSD and cause physical impairment, overdose, or death. Alcohol abuse damages the brain’s function and causes physical damage to major organs in the body. Alcohol affects a person’s critical thinking, vision, speech, coordination, movement, and can cause overdose or death.
PTSD causes angry outbursts, feelings of helplessness, aggressive behavior, and restlessness. Individuals who are diagnosed with PTSD while suffering with addiction often experience other disorders such as depression, chronic pain, chronic illness, or attention deficit disorder.
People living with PTSD often relive traumatic events, experience nightmares, and become socially withdrawn making them reluctant to seek help. When a person suffering from PTSD and addiction goes to treatment, he or she will need reassurance and support from loved ones. A dual diagnosis can be difficult to treat, but recovery is possible with the right treatment.
Cypress Lakes Lodge is committed to their clients’ physical, mental, and physiological health, and offers treatment for a dual diagnosis. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, save a life and call today to get help.
Cypress Lakes Lodge offers treatment for substance addiction, addictive behavior, and mental health conditions in a serene, natural, oxygen-rich, lush green environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy sober relationships that are sustainable. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204