How Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) May Contribute to Addiction
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: an anxiety disorder characterized by a terrifying physical or emotional event (trauma) causing the person who survived the event to have persistent, frightening thoughts and memories, or flashbacks, of the ordeal. Persons with PTSD often feel chronically, emotionally numb.
From Comer’s Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago web site
It’s human nature to feel afraid in dangerous or fearful situations or to become very upset after witnessing something bad happen to someone, especially when it involves someone we love. The time it takes to recover from such a moment is different for everyone.
But when you still feel afraid, upset or consumed with dread for weeks or months later – or you’ve turned to drugs or alcohol to numb the feelings – you may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is typically related to a person experiencing or witnessing:
- Car accident
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse, rape or incest
- Kidnapping or torture
- Combat, explosions and deaths caused by war
- Surviving bombing, shooting or other violent attacks by criminals or terrorists
- Surviving a near-death situation caused by a natural disaster like an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or flood
- Fatal or near-fatal accidents from common activities like playing sports, hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, etc.
- Any event that causes severe bodily injury or a person to believe they will die
The Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Nightmares, flashbacks or troublesome memory
- Feeling numb emotionally
- Lack of enthusiasm for or enjoyment in favorite activities
- Being emotionally distant or detached from family, friends and other people
- Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and other eating disorders
- Sleeplessness and sleepwalking
- Depression
- Anger [link to anger page]
- Alcohol and drug addiction
- Being “hyper vigilant” to perceived threats
- Avoiding people, places and situations that may bring back memories of the traumatic event
Solutions Recovery, Inc. Helps You Recover from PTSD
Our trained and caring counselors and therapists employ a variety of treatment modalities that help in the recovery from PTSD. Individual, family, and group therapy are helpful in conjunction with medications, coping and management techniques, and other methods.
We Also Help Families to Overcome the Effects of PTSD
The person suffering from PTSD is not the only one struggling with the symptoms. Parents, siblings and others bear the brunt of their loved one’s angry outbursts, sullen withdrawal, moodiness and other uncharacteristic behavior.
Family members will learn to address and understand effects of the disorder.
Get Help Now to Recover from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Begin the journey to recovery by calling us right now – toll free 1-800-774-8599 or in the greater Las Vegas region (702) 228-8520 – anytime of the day or night, every day of the year!
In addition to PTSD, our experienced and licensed clinicians help people understand what is contributing to their addiction such as anger, anxiety, depression, gambling, post-traumatic stress disorder, or emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
We want you to address your addiction and begin living a happy, healthy life!
Get on the road to recovery RIGHT NOW by call us toll free 1-800-774-8599 or in the greater Las Vegas area (702) 228-8520. We’re open 24 hours, 7 days a week, all year long – we’re here for you!
About Solutions Recovery, Inc. in Las Vegas, Nevada
Our Las Vegas alcohol and drug treatment programs will help you in your recovery from chemical dependency including alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, opiates, or other addictive substances.
Solutions Recovery, Inc.'s doctors, therapists and clinicians are trained to address the whole spectrum of addiction and mental health disorders.
Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Solutions Recovery, Inc. offers chronic pain, intensive outpatient and residential treatment programs.
