Dual-diagnosis care
What Is the Link Between PTSD and Addiction?
PTSD and addiction each cause real harm on their own. Together, the potential for damage rises dramatically — and both are treatable.
About this condition
PTSD and addiction
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event, causing lasting stress and fear. Many people who develop PTSD also struggle with addiction, often because substances feel like a way to numb the pain.
The link runs both directions. PTSD symptoms cause considerable distress, and substance use can become a way of numbing them. In other cases addiction comes first: a substance-related car accident, a violent altercation, or a devastating loss can itself cause PTSD. When the two occur together, clinicians call it a dual diagnosis — and treatment has to address the full scope of a person’s needs.
PTSD and addiction care at Ambrosia’s South Florida programs pairs trauma-focused therapy with addiction treatment, so the conditions are assessed and treated by one team rather than in separate systems.
What causes PTSD
PTSD can develop after directly experiencing a traumatic event, after witnessing one, or after learning the details of a traumatic event that happened to a loved one. Automobile accidents, physical attack, sexual assault, acts of terrorism, military combat, extreme weather, and serious illness are common precursors — anything that makes a person feel their life is in danger.
Some people develop PTSD after a single occurrence; others after repeated exposure to trauma. It can affect people of all ages and genders.
Signs of PTSD
Symptoms vary from person to person, but these are among the most common:
- Repeated, distressing, involuntary memories of the event
- Disturbing dreams related to the trauma
- Flashbacks — feeling as though the event is happening again
- Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
- Distress around people, places, or items that recall the event
- Changing behavior to avoid reminders
- Negative beliefs about yourself, others, or the world
- Losing interest in things that used to matter
- Feeling detached from friends and loved ones
- Dramatic mood swings, including outbursts of anger
- Dangerous behaviors, including alcohol or drug abuse
- Constant sense of danger (hypervigilance)
Therapies for PTSD and addiction
Both conditions are treatable, and the right combination depends on the person receiving care.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Replaces self-defeating thought patterns with healthier, more productive ways of thinking.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Builds acceptance of the challenges you face and commitment to meaningful action that improves quality of life.
- Medication management
Certain prescription medications ease PTSD symptoms; medication also helps people who have become addicted to alcohol or opioids.
Questions to ask a treatment provider
No single program fits every person living with PTSD and addiction. A reputable provider should have no trouble answering these:
- Do you have experience with co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis?
- Will care come from a dedicated team of professionals?
- Is each treatment plan customized to the person?
- Will care include multiple forms of therapy?
- What aftercare planning services do you provide?
Ready to talk with admissions?
Admissions is available 24/7 to answer questions about mental health and substance use treatment options.