Trauma & PTSD

PTSD Treatment In Los Angeles, CA

PTSD Treatment

Treating PTSD and Addiction

If you’re like many people, it may not surprise you that there is a connection between PTSD and addiction. It’s not always clear how one condition can lead to another, but sometimes, it’s pretty evident.

If you’re struggling with either condition, it’s essential to seek treatment. Our PTSD treatment in Los Angeles, California, can help you or your loved one recover.

client in therapy for PTSD treatment in Los Angeles

Risk Factors and Causes of PTSD

What is PTSD?

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health condition that potentially develops after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event.

Causes of PTSD

Although there is no single cause of PTSD, several types of trauma can lead to its occurrence, including:

Experiencing combat or violence
Being caught in a natural disaster, like a hurricane, tornado, flood, or fire
Facing violent personal assaults or crimes such as mugging, rape, torture, or kidnapping
Suffering from accidents like car crashes, plane crashes, and train wrecks
Childhood abuse or neglect, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse
Experiencing a major injury
Witnessing violence or harm fall another person

PTSD Statistics

It’s estimated that around 3.6% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older (9.2 million people) have PTSD in a given year.

Women are more likely than men to experience PTSD, with 10% of women developing the disorder compared to 5% of men.

Get Help Right Now

Call Us 24/7: (855) 652-9048

Verify Benefits Now

Types of PTSD Disorders

What Are the Signs of PTSD?

PTSD affects people differently, and some common signs are:

Psychological Signs of PTSD

Catching yourself reliving the event in your head involuntarily
Replaying the traumatic experience over and over again in your dreams
Accidentally thinking about the event when you don’t mean to
Going to great lengths to avoid people, places, and things that make you think of what happened

Physical Signs of PTSD

Headaches
Chest pain
Rapid breathing
Sweating
Dizziness

Behavioral Signs of PTSD

Self-destructive behavior
Aggression
Hypervigilance
Sleep problems

The Treatment Program

Can PTSD Cause Addiction?

PTSD and addiction are often comorbid, meaning they occur simultaneously. In fact, it’s estimated that as many as 1 in 3 people with PTSD also struggle with addiction.

There are a few reasons why PTSD and addiction tend to go hand-in-hand. People who have PTSD may use drugs or alcohol to:

Numb themselves to the pain they’re feeling
Escape from uncomfortable memories and flashbacks
Find relief from insomnia and other sleep problems
Manage anxiety and depression
Cope with aggressive impulses

If you have PTSD, it’s vital to seek out treatment from a qualified PTSD treatment center. If you’re also struggling with addiction, there are specialized programs that can help you address both conditions simultaneously.

During our PTSD treatment in Los Angeles, you can heal the wounds of your past and build a bright future.

Don’t Wait Any Longer… Find Harmony

Request a 100% Confidential Callback

Treating Co-Occurring Disorders

How to Treat PTSD and Addiction

While not every treatment for PTSD and addiction will work the same for everyone, several still have been shown to be effective.

Some options for co-occurring addiction and PTSD treatment in Los Angeles include:

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment for PTSD and addiction typically lasts 28-30 days. During this time, you’ll receive 24-hour care from a team of medical professionals. During a residential stay, you can also engage in group and individual therapy sessions.

Inpatient treatment can be an effective option for people who are struggling with severe symptoms or who have relapsed in the past.

Outpatient Treatment

Typically, outpatient treatment for PTSD and addiction lasts 3-4 months. During this time, you’ll participate in group and individual therapy sessions a few times each week.

You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with a psychiatrist or other medical professional to manage any medication you may be prescribed.

Outpatient treatment can be an effective option for people struggling with milder symptoms or who have a robust support system.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a treatment option that combines medication with therapy and other support services.

MAT can be an effective option for people who are struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, such as personality disorders.

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a type of treatment that provides a step down from inpatient care. IOPs typically last 8-10 weeks.

Generally, these programs can be an effective option for people struggling with moderate symptoms or who need more support than what’s available in traditional outpatient treatment.

Partial Hospitalization Program

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a type of drug rehab that provides a step down from inpatient care.

Typically, PHP programs last 4-6 weeks. A partial hospitalization rehab can be an effective option for people struggling with moderate to severe symptoms.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a standard treatment for both conditions. CBT helps people change how they think and behave.

A therapist could, for instance, help individuals with PTSD by having them reflect on their negative thoughts about themselves.

For example, a CBT therapist may help an individual with an addiction identify and change the thought patterns contributing to their addictive behaviors.

Furthermore, they can develop coping mechanisms for dealing with symptoms by teaching them how to better deal with stressful situations.

Exposure Therapy

Another approach to treating PTSD is called exposure therapy. Overall, this trauma therapy treatment involves slowly and repeatedly exposing a person to the things that cause their symptoms.

This type of therapy aims to help people learn how to cope with their triggers and eventually reduce their fear of them.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Another form of exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), involves a person moving their eyes back and forth while thinking about or imagining their trigger.

In general, this movement is thought to help the brain process the trauma so that it’s less distressing.

Get Started

group therapy during PTSD treatment in Los Angeles

Begin PTSD Treatment in Los Angeles, CA

Our staff at Harmony Place provides comprehensive treatment for addiction and PTSD. We believe in a holistic approach to addiction and PTSD treatment, which means we address addiction’s physical, mental, and emotional aspects. At Harmony Place, we offer inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, as well as PHP and IOP.

Our cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational enhancement therapy are just a few of the many evidence-based treatments we offer. And we have experience treating co-occurring disorders like PTSD and addiction.

If you or someone you love in Woodland Hills is struggling with PTSD and addiction, please contact us to learn more about our comprehensive drug rehab in Los Angeles.