Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can turn life upside down, and how people handle it matters. We’re all about empowering those struggling with addiction—including when it ties to PTSD—to find health and peace. Our work as a leading drug rehab center shows us that unhealthy coping can make things worse for individuals, moms of addicts or alcoholics, and spouses of addicts or alcoholics. When symptoms of PTSD hit, some turn to quick fixes that backfire. Let’s look at what can go wrong and how to spot it.
What can worsen PTSD?
PTSD comes from a traumatic experience—think car wrecks, assaults, or natural disasters. Certain habits can make it tougher. Using alcohol or drugs to numb the pain is a big one. It might feel good for a minute, but it amps up health problems like shaky hands or a racing heart. Avoiding family and friends also digs the hole deeper— isolation feeds negative thoughts and keeps people with PTSD stuck. Ignoring the issue, like pretending the panic attacks don’t happen, lets it grow, too. For someone struggling with addiction, mixing substance abuse with PTSD is like pouring gas on a fire.
Take a spouse noticing their partner drinks more after a bad memory surfaces. Or a mom seeing her kid hide away after a trigger. Without healthy coping skills, these choices pile on stress and hurt daily life.
How to cope with PTSD flare up?
A flare-up hits when symptoms of PTSD—like flashbacks or jumpiness—spike. Unhealthy ways to cope with PTSD include downing drugs or alcohol to escape. It might dull the edge, but it messes with sleep and moods long-term. Another trap is shutting down—skipping work, dodging people, or spending too much time alone. Some lash out, snapping at family and friends instead of talking. These moves feel like a relief but make thoughts and feelings harder to manage later.
Better options exist. Breathing slowly during a panic attack can calm the storm. Talking to mental health professionals or loved ones beats bottling it up. For those with addiction, leaning on a support crew—not a bottle—keeps recovery on track.
How do people with PTSD act when triggered?
Triggers vary from person to person—a loud noise might spark a memory of a natural disaster, or a smell could bring back an assault. When triggered, people with PTSD might freeze, staring off as negative thoughts flood in. Others get loud—yelling or pacing from pent-up fear. Some dive into substance abuse, grabbing alcohol or drugs to quiet the chaos. Physical signs show too—sweating, shaking, or a tight chest like a panic attack. For spouses of addicts or alcoholics, this can look like their partner pulling away or blowing up over nothing.
Kids of addicts might see a parent zone out after a trigger, missing family time. It’s not just “acting weird”—it’s PTSD twisting daily life. Without treatment for PTSD, these reactions get worse, dragging family and friends into the mess.
Unhealthy coping doesn’t fix PTSD—it fuels it. Health problems stack up, from headaches to heart issues, as the body stays on edge. Thoughts and feelings turn darker, making trust or joy feel out of reach. For those struggling with addiction, drug or alcohol use can spiral into full-blown relapse. Moms and spouses watch helplessly as the gap widens—unless help steps in.
That’s where Into Action Recovery Centers shines. We get that PTSD and addiction often crash together, especially for folks who’ve hit rock bottom. Mental health professionals here teach real coping skills—not shortcuts that hurt. Healing means facing the traumatic experience, not running from it with substance abuse. Treatment for PTSD can steady daily life and rebuild ties with family and friends.
Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders at Into Action Recovery
We treat addiction and mental health through a holistic and integrated approach.
Our treatments are dynamic and will be tailored to your unique circumstances and needs, including:
- Intervention Services
- Customized Treatment
- 12-Step Program
- Family Therapy
- Recreational Therapy
- Mental Health / Dual Diagnosis
- Evidence-Based Therapies
- Alumni Program
It is never too late to seek help.
