PTSD Treatment

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PTSD and Addiction Treatment in Austin

When someone experiences a traumatic event or circumstances, they might go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. This mental health condition is unfortunately commonly associated with substance use disorders. It can become a problematic cycle where the use of substances worsens PTSD symptoms. These co-occurring disorders are known as dual diagnoses.

A specialized Austin dual diagnosis treatment program is one that simultaneously addresses both PTSD and addiction for the best outcomes in recovery. Ava Recovery is a leading provider of PTSD and addiction treatment in Austin. Our specialized programs empower clients to have the best outcomes in their recovery.

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Understanding PTSD

Most people will begin to recover from experiencing something traumatic in a few weeks. With PTSD, they continue to experience symptoms that affect their lives in significant ways long after the event.

Along with simple trauma exposure, there’s also complex trauma, which can trigger complex PTSD.

C-PTSD describes a more severe, persistent form of PTSD resulting from prolonged exposure to traumatic events. These events are more often linked to chronic abuse or ongoing trauma. Traditional PTSD is connected to a single traumatizing event.

Along with repeated trauma, features of C-PTSD that are different from PTSD include trauma that occurs within relationships. People with complex PTSD often experience significant disruptions in their identity and sense of self.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Many situations can lead to PTSD, with examples including:

Combat exposure as a member of the military.
Survivors of physical or sexual assault, including rape or domestic violence.
People who live through catastrophic natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes.
Individuals involved in serious accidents.
Medical trauma.
The loss of a loved one.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD?

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are usually grouped into four categories. These are re-experiencing, avoidance, negative shifts in mood and thinking and hyperarousal. Not everyone will experience all symptoms, and symptom severity varies among individuals.

The most common PTSD symptoms include:

Re-Experiencing Symptoms

These may include involuntary flashbacks and vivid memories of the event that make the person feel like they’re reliving it. Nightmares and intrusive, disturbing images and thoughts are also considered re-experiencing symptoms.

Avoidance Symptoms

Someone with PTSD might avoid the things that remind them of the traumatic event. Avoidance can include people, activities, situations and places that are reminders. Feeling detached and emotionally numb, having a limited range of emotions, and a reluctance to discuss the event can also occur.

Negative Thinking and Mood Changes

Someone with PTSD could develop a distorted view of themselves or a sense of pessimism about the world in general. They might blame themselves for the traumatic event or feel a great sense of shame. Some people with PTSD have trouble remembering details surrounding the event, or they might lose interest in things they once enjoyed.

Hyperarousal Symptoms

Hyperarousal symptoms include hypervigilance regarding potential threats and an exaggerated startle response. These symptoms also include problems controlling one’s temper, increased irritability, insomnia and restless sleep.

The symptoms of PTSD can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and functioning. Ava Recovery is an Austin PTSD center. Offering PTSD and trauma treatment in Austin, we also provide care for co-occurring substance use disorders in a safe, structured environment.

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PTSD and Substance Abuse

There’s a documented relationship between PTSD and substance abuse. Someone with PTSD may be more prone to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. The relationship often becomes complex and reinforcing.

Reasons for the connection between the two conditions include:

Self-medication: If someone has PTSD, they could turn to alcohol or drugs as a form of self-medication to alleviate emotional distress and symptoms. Substances temporarily provide a reprieve, but unfortunately, that’s short-lived and will often lead to worsening symptoms.

Higher risk of substance abuse: Someone with PTSD is at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder. Overall, the prevalence of alcohol and drug use disorders and other addictive behaviors tends to be higher in people with PTSD.

Biological factors: There are shared biological and neurobiological factors contributing to both PTSD and substance use disorders. Examples include changes in brain function and neurotransmitter systems, making someone more susceptible to both conditions.

Trauma exposure: Substance abuse raises the risk of experiencing a traumatic event, contributing to the development of PTSD or making symptoms worse.

Cycle of recurrence: The relationship between substance abuse and PTSD can lead to a cycle of recurrence. Substance use temporarily alleviates symptoms but, over time, contributes to PTSD symptoms continuing and worsening.

Drugs and alcohol contribute to worsening PTSD symptoms in several ways, including:

Impaired judgment and decision-making because substance use impairs cognitive functions.
More emotional distress because there’s usually a rebound effect with substances, so the negative emotions are intensified after the effects wear off.
Disturbed sleep patterns that make symptoms of PTSD worse.
Substance use can cause intrusive memories and flashbacks to occur more often.
Substance use can negatively affect relationships and social support networks. These are essential for people with PTSD.
When social connections and relationships break down, it contributes to isolation and worsens PTSD symptoms.

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We are Dedicated to Your Healing.

When you or a loved one makes a commitment to go to treatment, the feelings can be overwhelming for the individual and family. At Ava Recovery, a drug & alcohol rehab in Austin, Texas, we are committed to building a relationship with you as soon as we make contact. We work hard to build a treatment case that is measurable and can be attained.

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Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is also known as co-occurring disorders treatment. It’s an integrated approach to address the symptoms of mental health and addiction disorders simultaneously. A dual diagnosis plan is tailored to meet the individual needs of someone with both conditions. The components of a dual diagnosis treatment plan for someone with addiction and PTSD might include:

When you’re seeking PTSD and addiction treatment in Austin, we encourage you to consider Ava Recovery.

Our center offers a state-of-the-art program with trauma-informed care outside the Austin metro. We use many different treatment approaches for overall well-being and to prepare our clients to re-enter their daily lives and not just experience recovery but thrive fully. As you compare options for PTSD and addiction treatment in Austin, it’s essential to look for a center like Ava Recovery that specializes in dual diagnosis and is staffed by master clinicians and licensed therapists. Contact us today to learn more or take the next step.

A comprehensive assessment is needed to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the severity of both the substance use disorder and PTSD.
The creation of a personalized treatment plan that addresses both disorders concurrently and recognizes the interconnected nature of substance use and mental health.
Psychotherapy, also known as counseling, is a central component of treatment for PTSD and substance abuse in most cases.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and other evidence-based therapies are used to treat trauma. For substance abuse, CBT interventions are also used, as well as relapse prevention strategies and motivational enhancement therapy.
Medication management may be part of a treatment plan to manage symptoms of PTSD or to help with substance cravings and withdrawal.
Treatment plans for a dual diagnosis frequently involve group therapy, offering a supportive environment where people share experiences and support one another.
A treatment plan can include holistic approaches like yoga, mindfulness, and exercise to promote overall well-being.

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Located just outside metro Austin, in Buda, Texas, we offer you a luxury environment that encourages healing and rejuvenation. Our secluded property provides you with a safe and comfortable, world-class setting where you can focus on your recovery. Explore our modern, luxury rehab in Austin and take a virtual tour right now.

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We offer free consultations to anyone who reaches out for help. Did you know most major insurance carriers will cover the costs associated with treatment? Contact our trusted treatment team today to discuss your personal options for treatment. We will help you find the best treatment that fits your personal needs, regardless if you come to Ava Recovery or not.

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Ava Recovery is proud to offer a variety of treatment options to provide you with a treatment plan that fits your needs. At our drug treatment center in Austin, We’re with you each step of the way on your recovery journey. Learn more about how we can help right now.

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The Ava Recovery admissions team works 24/7 to ensure that we can help as many people struggling with substance abuse as we can. Verify your benefits now and we’ll get back to you right away.

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Our Austin Drug & Alcohol Treatment Center is Here to Help You Recover.

Drug addiction can ruin your life and tear your family apart. If you are struggling with substance abuse and need immediate help, call Ava Recovery toll-free today. We are committed to offering the highest quality drug treatment services to help heal the mind, body, and spirit. We strictly adhere to the best industry practices in creating the programs and services that will help you achieve lasting recovery. Call us today at (833) 330-3009 and get on the path to sobriety.

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