Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that individuals can develop after witnessing or experiencing a life-threatening event.

Symptoms of PTSD include anxiety, staying on high alert, reliving the event, and avoiding triggering reminders of the event. PTSD is not only faced by those who have experienced combat. First responders, survivors of assault, those who have experienced childhood trauma, and everyday people can all experience symptoms of PTSD. Trauma can lead to anxiety, PTSD, and many other conditions. Substance use disorders, such as addiction or alcoholism, are often linked with PTSD. At Banyan Detox Boca Raton, we are here to help treat these co-occurring challenges at our mental health program in Boca. Does PTSD Cause Addiction?

PTSD, trauma, and other mental health disorders are not guaranteed to cause addiction or alcoholism. Instead, these challenges work with many other systems within the mind and body to leave an individual more susceptible to substance use disorder. Up to 59% of people with PTSD develop substance abuse problems. Childhood trauma, in particular, is linked to higher rates of PTSD, addiction, and alcoholism in adults and young adults.

While many studies have shown the correlation between PTSD and addiction, it’s important to understand how these problems are linked. Trauma and PTSD can lead to a variety of health problems, many of which are associated with the emotional strain of PTSD. These problems include:

• Employment risks
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Feelings of hopelessness and despair
• Divorce

The emotional strain of PTSD leads many people to addiction. They attempt to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, only worsening many of the symptoms of PTSD. This, in turn, leads to more consumption of drugs or alcohol, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of dual diagnosis disorders. However, PTSD does not have to lead to addiction. These two comorbid disorders can be treated with our customized treatment plans in Boca.

Treating PTSD and Addiction

At Banyan Detox Boca Raton, we help patients address their challenges with our personalized mental health programs in Boca. These programs can treat PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and many other comorbid disorders.