Annandale Behavioral Health is a leading provider of addiction and trauma treatment services. Addiction with co-occurring trauma disorder is a common dual diagnosis that is manageable with the guidance and support of an expert clinical team. Annandale offers high caliber treatment solutions for substance use disorder and comorbid trauma disorder.
Experiencing a trauma is a shocking and often unpredictable life event. The range of traumatic events is diverse, but basically a trauma is anything that evokes a deep sense of fear and anxiety caused by a perceived danger to self. Examples of traumatic events include:
Addiction is the end result of a severe substance use disorder, at which point the individual feels powerless against the cravings that drive the disorder. Substance abuse is a maladaptive coping mechanism that is common in individuals who have experienced trauma.
The drugs or alcohol provide a way to self-medicate the emotional pain that is so prevalent in trauma survivors. As tolerance increases, the individual needs to consume more of the substance to achieve the desired numbing effects, which can result in a dual diagnosis of addiction and trauma disorder.
Individuals who were not able to overcome the effects of a traumatic experience are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. This means the person exhibits certain signs and symptoms that are disruptive to daily life. The NIMH diagnostic criteria for PTSD include the following features:
One of the common avoidance behaviors someone with PTSD might adopt is drug or alcohol use. While a substance might soften the edges of the trauma in the early days or weeks, but there are risks. If substance abuse persists for an extended period, the person risks becoming dependent or even addicted.
Signs of substance use disorder include:
Substance abuse is common in those why experience trauma, and is used to reduce the impact of the traumatic memories and accompanying emotions. A 2021 study looked 81 individuals admitted to emergency departments who tested positive for one or more illicit substances. Of them, 66% had a history of trauma.
Substance abuse in the aftermath of a trauma is an example of an unhealthy or maladaptive coping strategy. Examples of healthy coping techniques following a trauma would be psychotherapy and holistic therapies. However, many through no fault of their own aren’t even aware that they need to take these actions. Instead they begin using drugs or alcohol as a means to numb the lingering emotional pain caused by the trauma.
Individuals seeking addiction and trauma treatment are advised to enroll in a residential dual diagnosis rehab program. The dual diagnosis program provides treatment for the trauma disorder and the substance use disorder at the same time. Treatment includes both psychiatric care and addiction recovery therapies:
Annandale Behavioral Health offers a robust aftercare program called Annandale Post that is second to none. Aftercare refers to the actionable steps taken to maintain and reinforce the progress made in treatment.
By continuing to receive ongoing emotional and peer support through group counseling and involvement in a recovery community, the client can avoid relapse when faced with inevitable stressors or triggers in daily life.
Annandale’s post-rehab activities allow individuals to put into practice the recovery tools they acquired in treatment. Our Annandale Post aftercare program includes:
Annandale Behavioral Health offers top-tier dual diagnosis treatment protocols to help individuals with both substance use disorder and trauma disorder. Please reach out for support today.
A drug and alcohol detox program synthesizes the best in medical and psychological interventions to ensure each client’s success and prepare them for the next stages of the addiction treatment process.
After withdrawing from drugs and alcohol, many people still have lingering symptoms or mental health concerns that may interfere with standard addiction treatment.
Our luxury residential treatment center serves as both a catalyst and incubator for drastic changes allowing people to learn the new skills they need and to flourish in their new life in recovery.
Access to comprehensive aftercare services can provide the ongoing recovery care and support that helps the individual navigate these challenges effectively.
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