Traumatic events may end, but they’re not easily forgotten.
In fact, an estimated 70 percent of people in the United States have experienced a traumatic event—and up to 20 percent of these people go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. That works out to about 13 million U.S. adults.
There are two ways of dealing with the effects of trauma. One is to seek therapy and work through it. The other is to numb it.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
While it’s natural to feel afraid after a traumatic situation, most people will recover from those feelings. When fear and anxiety doesn’t go away, it’s called post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms include flashbacks, bad dreams and frightening thoughts. A person with PTSD might also be easily startled, frequently feel on edge, have difficulty sleeping and also experience angry outbursts.
PTSD Painkiller Use
The reality is that not everyone who has PTSD is aware that they have the disorder. What’s more, not everyone who knows they have PTSD seeks help.
The problem is that untreated PTSD doesn’t feel good. So it’s not surprising that someone struggling with it would turn to painkillers for relief. In addition to relieving physical pain, painkillers are an opioid—just like heroin—that can provide an overall sense of euphoria and well-being.
As we all know by now, painkiller use can quickly spiral into abuse—and that’s when problems begin to stack up. Now you’ve got PTSD and addiction to deal with.
Hope and Healing at The Raleigh House
If you struggle with both PTSD and addiction, you’ll need to be treated for both conditions at the same time. That’s called dual-diagnosis rehab—and it’s offered at The Raleigh House where all residents are screened for co-occurring conditions such as PTSD, anxiety and depression.
At The Raleigh House, our first goal is to make our residents feel safe and comfortable. You’re then assigned your own master’s level therapist who will work with you to come up with a plan for rehab—and to rebuild your life. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about the painkiller addiction treatment program at The Raleigh House.
