Addiction can come in many forms, be the result of many causes, and lead to a wide array of consequences. One addiction experience never mirrors another exactly. It’s a very personalized disease which can be immensely different from individual to individual. Because of the many different experiences one can have due to addiction, there is no one cure-all for treatment. So, it’s important to identify aspects of each individual’s experiences as they relate to addiction so that it may be treated in an individualized way. One of these experiences which commonly relates to the development of addiction is trauma. And, one way to confront and treat both PTSD and substance abuse is through the use of rapid resolution therapy.
The Relationship between PTSD and Substance Abuse
PTSD and substance abuse commonly go hand in hand. When people experience a traumatic situation, many are faced with chronic flashbacks, nightmares, mood changes, and other debilitating symptoms. When these symptoms caused by trauma don’t seem to go away and affect an individual’s ability to perform daily responsibilities, it’s known as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While this disorder is usually attributed to veterans, other trauma (besides combat) can cause chronic symptoms led on by trauma. Traumatic experiences which can lead to the development of PTSD may include witnessing violent acts or criminal behavior, sexual abuse and/or assault, natural disaster, loss of a loved one, combat, childhood abuse, phobias, car accident, and more.
For the individuals who have PTSD, struggling with the everyday symptoms are more than challenging, they’re life-altering. And, to deal with these symptoms, they may self-medicate by using addictive substances. While drinking or using drugs may help keep the symptoms of trauma at bay for some time, they always come back. So, drugs may be used again as a way to ward off these thoughts or emotions. And, the cycle of addiction ensues.
Dual diagnosis is the term for individuals who suffer with both substance abuse disorder and a concurring mental health issue. So, those struggling with both PTSD and substance abuse disorder are deemed “dual diagnosis” patients. The idea behind a dual diagnosis program is to address underlying conditions of addiction, which commonly are the concurring mental health issue. Without addressing these issues and establishing effective measures of treatment, individuals are at risk for relapsing in the earliest days of recovery as they’ll have no methods to reduce symptoms of their trauma. Fortunately, many treatment organizations, like Asheville Recovery Center, offer Rapid Resolution Therapy for the healing of PTSD and substance abuse patients.
What is Rapid Resolution Therapy for PTSD and Substance Abuse?
Rapid Resolution Therapy is a specific type of therapy used in the addressing of traumatic circumstances as they play a part in active addiction. It even works to address trauma that individuals have pushed deep inside, which they may have forgotten about. It was designed and developed by Dr. John Connelly, a psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience helping individuals deal with the grief that comes with trauma. This type of therapy includes addressing and confronting traumatic situations, the emotions that come with them, and negative patterns of behavior developed as a result of experiencing trauma. And, along with identifying these aspects of trauma, individuals are equipped with how to deal with them in a more effective way, without the use of medications or high-tech equipment.
If you’re ready to permanently overcome the negative effects that both PTSD and substance abuse have had on your life, Rapid Resolution Therapy can help. And, here at Asheville Recovery Center, we offer a program for this type of therapy so that those affected by both PTSD and substance abuse disorder can get the most out of their treatment. To speak with an addiction specialist about enrolling into one of our programs, give us a call today at 866-315-8998.
