Treating PTSD and Addiction in Florida Veterans

Veterans often deal with lasting mental health issues from their time in the military. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 7 out of 100 veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[1]

PTSD is a mental health condition that develops after someone has experienced something traumatic. If you have PTSD, you might experience flashbacks, nightmares, mood swings, intrusive thoughts, and intense distress when you are reminded of a traumatic memory.

Oftentimes, when people do not receive treatment for their PTSD, they begin looking towards drugs and alcohol to cope with their symptoms. According to the VA, more than 2 out of 10 veterans with PTSD also struggle with addiction.[2]

If you are a veteran who struggles with co-occurring addiction and PTSD, help is available. Dual-diagnosis treatment programs that specialize in treating veterans can provide you with comprehensive and clinically proven services to help you heal from both conditions.

How are PTSD and Addiction Treated in Florida Veterans?

Co-occurring PTSD and addiction among veterans in Florida must be treated at the same time to ensure one condition does not lead to a relapse in the other. Thankfully, dual-diagnosis rehab programs like Archstone Behavioral Health can offer treatment for mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously.

Treatment involves:

Assessment and Individualized Treatment Planning

When you begin treatment at a dual diagnosis rehab center in Florida, you will undergo an initial assessment. These assessments gather information about your physical and mental health as well as your history of substance abuse.

The information you provide the medical team will then be used to create an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Your treatment plan will include what types of therapies you would benefit from, whether you need medical detox, how long your treatment program should be, and more.

Medical Detox

Once your treatment plan is created, you can begin medical detox. Detox services help you safely and comfortably overcome the withdrawal symptoms caused by your addiction. By using medications and providing 24/7 medical monitoring, detox ensures that you are stable and healthy throughout the entire withdrawal process.

Trauma-Informed Therapy

After detox, you will begin to focus on the emotional and behavioral aspects of recovery from PTSD and addiction. Typically, you will engage in individual therapy a couple of times per week, allowing you to open up to your therapist about issues you have faced in the past and triggers that may have led to your substance abuse.

Examples of therapies used to treat addiction and PTSD among Florida veterans include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Contingency management (CM)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• 12-step facilitation therapy
• Family behavior therapy

Thankfully, treatment programs for veterans suffering from PTSD and addiction in Florida will use trauma-informed therapy, ensuring you receive compassionate support and an environment that allows you to feel comfortable opening up about difficult and traumatic experiences.

Group Counseling

In addition to individual therapy, you will engage in group counseling. Group counseling can help you recover from both PTSD and addiction by allowing you to see that others are going through similar issues. Additionally, you can receive advice and support from your peers, helping you create a recovery community to rely on for years to come.

Holistic Treatments

PTSD and addiction can affect everything, including your emotions, mind, body, and soul. Addiction and PTSD treatment centers for veterans in Florida use holistic therapies to help you recover, aiming to treat each of these aspects for a whole-person approach.

Examples of holistic treatments used for PTSD and addiction in veterans include:

• Yoga and meditation
• Mindfulness and breathing techniques
• Massage and acupuncture
• Nutritional counseling
• Exercise therapy
• Art and music therapy

Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Treating PTSD involves a mix of strategies that help manage and ease the challenging feelings and thoughts that come with it. Therapy can teach ways to handle scary thoughts, nightmares, and the feelings associated with PTSD. Some therapies, like CBT or EMDR, help change how the mind reacts to those distressing memories.

For some, doctors might suggest medications to ease the anxiety or help them sleep better. However, these medications work best when used together with therapy.

Additionally, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress-relief techniques such as yoga or meditation contribute to managing symptoms and overall well-being.

Most importantly, it’s important that Florida rehab centers foster safe, supportive, and compassionate environments that allow veterans to open up about their challenges so they can truly embrace the healing process.

Aftercare Planning

Lastly, you will work with your therapist to create an aftercare plan to ensure that you continue managing your PTSD and addiction effectively. Aftercare plans include support services and tools that will help you remain sober outside of your treatment facility.

Oftentimes, aftercare plans include the following tools and services:

• A list of triggers to work through
• A list of coping mechanisms to use when you experience a trigger
• Continued attendance at therapy and group counseling
• Recommendations on local support groups to join
• Referrals to outpatient rehab or sober living programs
• Access to alumni support groups
• Case management services like legal, vocational, or medical assistance

These services are designed to keep you motivated and accountable in your recovery from both addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Sticking to your aftercare plan will ensure that you maintain long-term recovery and live a fulfilled life.

Find Treatment for PTSD and Addiction for Veterans in Florida Today

If you or a loved one are a veteran who struggles with PTSD and addiction in Florida, Archstone Behavioral Health is here to help. With our trauma-informed treatment program, we can provide you with the tools and support you need to maintain long-term recovery. From admissions to discharge, our team of master’s-level clinicians and treatment specialists are alongside you every step of your journey to recovery.

To learn more about our treatment program for veterans struggling with PTSD and addiction in Florida, contact us today.

References:

1. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): How Common is PTSD in Veterans, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp
2. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): PTSD and Substance Abuse in Veterans, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/related/substance_abuse_vet.asp