PTSD Archives

person struggling with symptoms of CPTSD

What’s the Difference Between CPTSD and PTSD?

Written by Jacob on March 10, 2023. Posted in Mental Health, PTSD, Veterans.

When someone experiences a traumatic experience or repeated exposure to traumatic events, they can develop PTSD or CPTSD. It is essential to learn the difference between PTSD and CPTSD to understand these mental health disorders better. Furthermore, both of these conditions could lead to addiction when a person attempts to manage their condition on their own.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health disorder that occurs by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. People who have PTSD may also experience feelings of guilt, depression, and isolation.

What Is CPTSD?

CPTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) is a trauma-related mental health condition that can develop in response to prolonged exposure to, or repeated experiences of, emotional and physical abuse. Symptoms can include intense feelings of shame and guilt, difficulty forming relationships with others, and an inability to trust.

What’s the Difference Between PTSD and CPTSD?

The main difference between PTSD and CPTSD is the duration of time and type of trauma experienced. PTSD typically results from a single traumatic event, while CPTSD occurs in response to prolonged and repeated exposure to abuse or trauma. Other differences include the intensity and complexity of the symptoms.

What Type of Trauma Is Associated with PTSD?

The type of trauma associated with PTSD can range from experiencing or witnessing a natural disaster, accidents, physical and sexual assault, war-related combat stress, and death.

What Type of Trauma Is Associated with CPTSD?

The trauma associated with CPTSD is typically prolonged or repeated exposure to emotional and physical abuse, such as childhood neglect, domestic violence, sexual abuse, or verbal abuse.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

The signs and symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event, emotional numbness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. In addition, the avoidance of people or places associated with the trauma, hypervigilance (being constantly on guard), feeling detached from others, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems may also be present.

Signs and Symptoms of CPTSD

The signs and symptoms of CPTSD may include intense feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness. People also have difficulty forming trusting relationships with others and can experience a distorted sense of blame or self-hatred.

In addition, some people have an inability to regulate emotions, resulting in frequent mood swings or panic attacks, dissociation (feeling disconnected from one’s body or environment), and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Are There Similarities Between PTSD and CPTSD?

The primary similarity between PTSD and CPTSD is both conditions involve intense emotional distress related to a traumatic experience.

Is There a Link Between PTSD and CPTSD and Addiction?

Yes, there is a link between PTSD and CPTSD and addiction. People with PTSD or CPTSD may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other addictive behaviors in an attempt to cope with their traumatic experiences and the associated symptoms.

Why Do People Use Alcohol or Drugs to Treat PTSD and CPTSD?

There can be various reasons why someone will use alcohol or drugs to attempt to treat their PTSD or CPTDS, including the following:

To cope with intense emotions and distress associated with the traumatic experience.
To alleviate symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks.
To reduce feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness.
To escape intrusive thoughts about the trauma and feel numb to emotional pain.
To self-medicate to manage symptoms without professional help or support from family/friends.

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Can Addiction Put You At Risk of PTSD or CPTSD?

Yes, addiction can put you at risk of developing PTSD or CPTSD. People with substance use disorders may be more likely to experience traumatic events such as physical or sexual assault, accidents, and other forms of violence due to their impaired judgment and ability to make safe choices. Additionally, prolonged exposure to stress associated with addiction can weaken the body’s capacity to cope with trauma.

How Are PTSD and CPTSD Treated?

PTSD and CPTSD are typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and support from family and friends. Psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can help to reduce symptoms by addressing the underlying trauma.

Medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed to manage symptoms. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, engaging in relaxing activities, reducing stress levels, and avoiding triggers can help improve overall mental health.

How Are Addiction and PTSD or CPTSD Treated?

Addiction and PTSD or CPTSD are typically treated with a combination of psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, addiction treatment, and support from family and friends. Both conditions must be treated simultaneously as a co-occurring or dual-diagnosis disorder. Addiction treatment can include using similar treatments for PTSD or CPTSD, along with 12-step programs, holistic programs, peer support, and group counseling.

Can PTSD and CPTSD be Cured?

No, PTSD and CPTSD cannot be cured, but effective treatment can manage the conditions. For some people, PTSD or CPTSD can require them to continuously overcome difficulties for much of their life, just like people with addictions. However, one can live a productive and healthy life by taking things one day at a time and following an ongoing care program.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment and Recovery in Murfreesboro, TN

At Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, TN, when you have PTSD or CPTSD and are also struggling with addiction, we provide a supportive, safe, and caring environment to begin treatment and recovery. We offer personalized treatment plans customized based on your unique needs. For further information or to start your treatment, contact us today.

A man getting treatment for his PTSD and addiction

The Link Between Complex PTSD and Addiction

Written by Jacob on February 3, 2023. Posted in Alcohol Addiction, PTSD, Substance Addiction.

When someone suffers from complex PTSD, they may turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism. Sadly, using drugs or alcohol in this manner can lead to dependence and eventual addiction. Understanding how complex PTSD and addiction are related is essential when someone needs help.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was identified as an anxiety disorder that affects people exposed to a traumatic event. For example, seeing a loved one die in a car accident could trigger PTSD. PTSD is also associated with military service personnel and veterans exposed to war, death, and other traumatic events.

Someone with PTSD relives the trauma and events when they are triggered by a sight, sound, smell, or witnessing a similar traumatic event.

What Is Complex PTSD?

Complex PTSD is a sub-category of PTSD that healthcare professionals have started using in recent years. It is also an anxiety disorder where a person has been exposed to trauma. However, the traumatic event occurs numerous times and is often long-lasting for several months, years, or longer.

Complex PTSD is often associated with childhood trauma when a child has been neglected, abused, or mistreated in some manner. Whatever the event, the child continues to be exposed to it repeatedly, such as being sexually assaulted multiple times by the same person.
While healthcare professionals are starting to distinguish between PTSD and complex PTSD, the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) does not list complex PTSD as its own mental health condition.

What Are Common Symptoms of Complex PTSD?

Re-experiencing the traumatic events through flashbacks.
Ongoing upsetting memories of the events.
Avoiding people, places, or other triggers that remind oneself of the events.
Having nightmares about the events.
Being overly guarded and afraid.
Engaging in self-destructive behaviors.
Having thoughts of self-harm.
Experiencing panic attacks and anxiety.
Viewing things in a negative manner.
Difficulties sleeping.
Loss of appetite.
Unexplained mood swings, anger, aggression, and irritability.
An overwhelming sense of shame and guilt.
Difficulties maintaining relationships with others.
Detachment from one’s reality.

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What Is The Link Between Complex PTSD and Addiction?

People who experience PTSD and complex PTSD have a strong desire to feel normal like they were before experiencing trauma. They also want their symptoms to go away so they can have moments of peace.

In addition, many people with complex PTSD experienced trauma when they were younger. According to the SAMHSA, one in four children, tweens, and teenagers experiences traumatic events before age 16.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for someone to have a strong sense of shame and guilt associated with their traumatic experiences. As a result, most children, tweens, and teens can be too afraid to ask for help.

Instead, they can find it easier to turn to alcohol or drugs to help them cope. The effects experienced while drinking or using drugs can provide a brief moment of respite and make them feel normal.

However, the effects are usually short-lived, and their symptoms return. Sadly, they will start drinking more or using drugs more frequently to avoid facing their traumatic experiences. Unfortunately, as the body develops a tolerance to alcohol or drugs, they are no longer as effective.

As such, they have to drink more or take larger dosages of drugs to achieve the desired effects. Eventually, this puts them on a path to addiction. Furthermore, as addiction takes hold, their PTSD or complex PTSD symptoms become more pronounced whenever they stop drinking or using drugs.

When children, tweens, and teens are drinking or using drugs to cope with their complex PTSD, their substance use often carries over into adulthood, should they survive and not commit suicide.

How Are Complex PTSD and Addiction Treated?

An integrated treatment approach is necessary so that a person’s complex PTSD and addiction are treated simultaneously as a co-occurring disorder. Therefore, in order for the person to overcome their addiction, they must also address their traumatic event and work through it using various forms of therapy, such as:

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) – This therapy helps people learn how to recognize negative emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and teaches them how to apply positive emotions instead.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) – EMDR is a multi-staged approach to therapy where the person will focus on one part of their traumatic event and associated negative feelings or emotions. Next, they learn how to replace that specific part of their trauma with something positive.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) – DBT is a type of talk therapy where the person shares their feelings during individual sessions. The therapist teaches the person how to develop healthy and positive coping skills and mindfulness.

Other therapies are also incorporated into the person’s personalized treatment program focusing on their addiction.

Complex PTSD and Addiction Treatment in Murfreesboro, TN

When you struggle with complex PTSD and addiction, Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, TN, is here to help. We offer customized dual-diagnosis treatment plans for co-occurring disorders in a caring, safe, and supportive environment. Contact us today to take the first steps to regain control over your life.

veterans explore the common causes of addiction in group therapy

Common Causes of Addiction Among Veterans

Written by Jacob on December 16, 2022. Posted in Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, Mental Health, PTSD.

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs) are common among veterans. While the military has a strict policy on illicit drug use, it does provide access to prescription medications, such as oxycodone, to treat pain. In addition, being part of a military family often includes celebrating successes and drinking. Read on learn some of the more common causes of addiction in veterans.

What Is Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease and medical condition often accompanied by the compulsion to seek alcohol or drugs and continue to drink or use drugs regardless of its negative impacts on one’s health and relationships. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is a brain disorder since it causes changes in how the brain functions.

Why Is Addiction Considered a Disease?

Addiction is a disease because it affects the health and well-being of the individual. Like other diseases, such as heart disease, the condition worsens without treatment. In addition, as addiction worsens, it can cause co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression.

What Causes Addiction in Veterans?

There is not a single cause for addiction in veterans or anyone else, for that matter. Anyone can develop an addiction from continued use of alcohol and drugs. One underlying contributing factor is how one feels when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For example, alcohol and many illicit and prescription drugs force an increase in various neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Both dopamine and serotonin lead to feeling good, pleasure, calmness, and happiness.

Furthermore, alcohol and other substances also alter GABA and slow the transmission of signals between the brain and other parts of the body. As a result, drinking or using drugs becomes a desired behavior. Unfortunately, this leads to the brain craving alcohol or drugs so the person can experience the pleasurable responses again.

Other factors can also increase the risk of veterans developing an addiction, including the following:

Exposure to Traumatic Events and Experiences

Some veterans experience traumatic events and experiences that they cannot process and deal with their emotions fully. Some of the more common types of trauma veterans can include terrorism, death, sexual abuse, and physical abuse.

Drinking and using drugs are common coping methods because they can make the person feel more “normal” when they cannot deal with the trauma. Unfortunately, as a result, they can develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

There Is a Family History of AUD or SUD

Another contributing factor that can cause addiction in veterans and other individuals is when there is a family history of AUD or SUD. For example, when someone’s parents drink or use drugs, that constant exposure leads to a higher risk of developing AUD or SUD themselves.

In addition, certain genetic traits get passed down, increasing the risks of AUD and SUD. For instance, when someone’s parent has AUD and passes down genetic traits to their children, their children can have a higher tolerance to alcohol.

As such, they have to drink much more to experience the effects of alcohol. Unfortunately, this can eventually lead to alcohol dependence and addiction.

The Military Environment

The military environment one experiences can influence and contribute towards AUD and SUD. For example, if most of the people in one’s platoon or company drink regularly to alleviate stress and “let off steam,” one could be encouraged to engage in this practice and eventually view it as a normal practice.

Furthermore, binge drinking can be a problem in the military as personnel do not always have free time to drink and socialize daily. So, when they do, they drink as much as possible, as fast as they can. Continued binge drinking can increase the risk of developing AUD.

Undiagnosed Mental Health Disorder

Veteran alcohol use can relate to having an undiagnosed mental health disorder. In the military, people learn to not show signs of weakness or vulnerability. This can be further reinforced, especially in young men raised with the same ideals.

When someone has ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or a personality disorder, sharing feelings may feel weak. So, instead of seeking help and getting a diagnosis for their condition, they turn to alcohol. Once they leave the service, they could also turn to drugs when alcohol is no longer effective.

Inability to Cope with Civilian Life

Some veterans have a difficult time returning to civilian life. They are used to sticking to a routine where they get up, fulfill their assigned tasks, and so on. However, after they return home, they will have lots of free time to figure out what to do next.

In addition, it is not uncommon for veterans to have relationship issues because they do not know how to relate to friends and family members. They are more used to the camaraderie they experienced in their platoon and company. Additionally, they did not have to share their feelings, so opening up can be very challenging. Sadly, if they have a drinking problem, it can lead to growing more reliant on alcohol to cope.

Addiction Treatment for Veterans in Murfreesboro, TN

If you are having difficulties after returning home from the military, you are not alone. At Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, TN, we are here to help with our addiction and co-occurring disorder treatment programs. Contact us today.

First Responder PTSD Symptoms You Should Know

Written by Jacob on October 21, 2022. Posted in Dual Diagnosis, Mental Health, PTSD.

First responders usually are the first on the scene of emergencies. They are exposed to stressful, life-threatening, and disturbing situations. While first responders are trained to handle these situations, they can still develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you or a loved one is a first responder, you should be aware of first responder PTSD symptoms.

How Likely is PTSD in First Responders?

First responders like firefighters, police officers, nurses, and EMTs are exposed to multiple traumatic events as part of their job. This exposure could even occur daily. For example, a firefighter might have to see someone die in a fire. A police officer might witness their partner being killed. An EMT could see someone severely injured in a car accident and realize there is nothing they can do to prevent them from dying.

As a result of repeated exposure, it can become difficult to process each event. It is in our nature to be empathetic when we see others in a distressing situation. First responders are trained to set aside their emotions and focus on doing their job. However, this can be quite challenging in traumatic situations.

In recent years, research suggests first responders live with an increased risk of PTSD. Over 80 percent of first responders are exposed to some form of traumatic experience, and 10 to 15 percent develop PTSD, according to medical journal database Science Direct.

As reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), research suggests that one in three first responders will develop PTSD during their careers. Out of all first responder careers, EMTs have the highest risk of a PTSD diagnosis.

How Is PTSD Diagnosed?

PTSD is diagnosed based on the symptoms the person is experiencing and other specific criteria, as follows:

Experiencing one avoidance symptom.
Experiencing two or more mood and cognition symptoms.
Reliving the experience at least once through dreams and flashbacks.
Having two or more reactive and arousal symptoms.

Additionally, the symptoms and criteria must occur for at least one month or longer to be considered PTSD.

First Responder PTSD Symptoms You Should Know

Avoidance symptoms are when the person avoids specific people, objects, places, or events associated with the traumatic event. They can also include attempting to avoid feelings and thoughts related to the event.

Mood and cognition symptoms are common after a traumatic experience and usually subside within a few weeks. They could include feelings of guilt, shame, self-blame, or self-loathing. In addition, a person could have problems recalling specific details about the event. Another symptom is losing interest in activities and hobbies one used to enjoy.

Reactive and arousal symptoms can become persistent and make it difficult to focus on work, eating, and relationships. They can make the person seem constantly angry and stressed. Other symptoms could include insomnia, constantly feeling tense, irrational outbursts of anger, and being constantly on guard.

Furthermore, reliving the experience through dreams and flashbacks could occur even while awake. A triggering event could occur, causing the flashback. During a flashback, the person can seem frightened, afraid, and withdrawn.

How To Treat PTSD in First Responders

PTSD treatment for first responders is similar to treating others with PTSD. Some effective treatment options include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This therapy helps first responders examine their negative thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT helps first responders address thought patterns, such as their view they must appear in control at all times or viewing situations as “all or nothing.”
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDM). This therapy allows the first responder to focus on specific emotions and feelings associated with particular parts of the trauma rather than relive the entire experience. It also helps replace negative responses with positive ones to help them move forward.

Why First Responders need PTSD Support Groups

Many first responders have problems acknowledging when they have PTSD. They learn to be tough no matter the situation they experience. Furthermore, any display of vulnerability goes against what they learned.

PTSD support groups for first responders are essential to allowing a safe space for them to talk about their experiences without judgment. Support groups can also be therapeutic and help them begin to address their trauma because they know they are not the only first responder dealing with PTSD.

In addition, many first responders turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with their PTSD. While they may appear outwardly fine, they are struggling inside. Using substances can seem like an acceptable solution to being able to feel more normal. Unfortunately, continued use leads to dependence and addiction.

As such, having access to support groups could potentially help first responders from developing addictions.

PTSD and Addiction Treatment in Murfreesboro, TN

First responders can rely on Tulip Hill in Murfreesboro, TN, to provide the help they need when they are struggling with PTSD and addiction. We offer personalized dual-diagnosis treatment programs to treat both disorders in a supportive and caring environment. Take the first steps to overcome your trauma and addiction by contacting us today.