Skip to content

READ ABOUT OUR CLINICAL OUTCOME STUDY

Enrollment:   866.457.7590
Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Search:
Red Oak Recovery
Young Adult Rehab in North Carolina
Red Oak Recovery
  • About Us
    • Letter from Our Director
    • Treatment Plan
    • Therapeutic Outcome Study
    • Testimonials
    • Campus Team
      • Leadership Team
      • Clinical Team
      • Treatment Staff
      • Operations Team
      • Holistic Services
      • Culinary Nutritional Arts
      • Administration
      • Medical Team
      • Enrollment and Marketing Team
    • What To Look For In A Treatment Center
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
    • Our Women’s Treatment Program
      • Women’s Substance Use Treatment
    • Our Adolescent Treatment Program
    • Addiction Therapy Services
      • Adventure Therapy
      • Behavioral Therapy
      • Nutritional Therapy
      • Experiential Therapy
      • Group Therapy
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Psychotherapy
      • Wilderness Therapy
      • Recovery Management
    • Family Services
      • Family Therapy
      • Family Therapy Program
      • Family Counseling
    • Individual Counseling
    • Clinical Rehabilitation
    • 12 Step Addiction Recovery
    • What Is Holistic Therapy?
    • Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Alcohol Rehab Program
    • Heroin Rehab Program
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
    • Grief Counseling
    • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
      • Co-Occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Disordered Eating Treatment
    • Mental Health Treatment
    • Anxiety Treatment Program
    • Depression Treatment Center
    • Trauma Treatment
    • Family Program
    • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Meth Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
  • Enrollment
    • Client Application Form
    • Insurance Policies
    • Insurance Verification
    • Referring Professionals
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Photo Video Tour
  • Careers
  • About Us
    • Letter from Our Director
    • Treatment Plan
    • Therapeutic Outcome Study
    • Testimonials
    • Campus Team
      • Leadership Team
      • Clinical Team
      • Treatment Staff
      • Operations Team
      • Holistic Services
      • Culinary Nutritional Arts
      • Administration
      • Medical Team
      • Enrollment and Marketing Team
    • What To Look For In A Treatment Center
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
    • Our Women’s Treatment Program
      • Women’s Substance Use Treatment
    • Our Adolescent Treatment Program
    • Addiction Therapy Services
      • Adventure Therapy
      • Behavioral Therapy
      • Nutritional Therapy
      • Experiential Therapy
      • Group Therapy
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Psychotherapy
      • Wilderness Therapy
      • Recovery Management
    • Family Services
      • Family Therapy
      • Family Therapy Program
      • Family Counseling
    • Individual Counseling
    • Clinical Rehabilitation
    • 12 Step Addiction Recovery
    • What Is Holistic Therapy?
    • Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Alcohol Rehab Program
    • Heroin Rehab Program
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
    • Grief Counseling
    • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment
      • Co-Occurring Disorders and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
    • Disordered Eating Treatment
    • Mental Health Treatment
    • Anxiety Treatment Program
    • Depression Treatment Center
    • Trauma Treatment
    • Family Program
    • Drug Addiction Treatment
      • Meth Addiction Treatment
      • Cocaine Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Addiction Treatment
      • Marijuana Addiction Treatment
  • Enrollment
    • Client Application Form
    • Insurance Policies
    • Insurance Verification
    • Referring Professionals
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Photo Video Tour
  • Careers

The Connection Between Alcoholism and PTSD

You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Addiction
  3. Alcohol Addiction
  4. The Connection Between Alcoholism and…
Alcohol Addictionalcoholismmental illnessPTSDyoung man drinking and suffering from alcoholism and ptsd
Logo
Added By Red Oak Recovery
Logo
Red Oak Recovery

Meet The Editorial Team

Published: February 18, 2019
Updated: May 7, 2021

People can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a variety of reasons. This disorder often occurs after someone goes through an extremely stressful, traumatic experience like witnessing a violent crime or serving on the battlefield. Unfortunately, alcoholism and PTSD often happen at the same time. When someone does not get treatment for PTSD, they may use alcohol to self-medicate.

How Alcoholism and PTSD Work

Extremely stressful events like losing a loved one or being near an explosion can cause instant, long-term changes to the brain. PTSD changes the parts of the brain responsible for logic, emotional regulation, and memories. When someone undergoes these changes, their mind continuously produces excess stress hormones.

In general, the individual will experience symptoms like avoiding situations that remind them of the trauma. They may suffer from changes to their physical or emotional reactions. Intrusive memories of the experience may disrupt their normal life. In addition, the individual may notice an increase in negative thoughts and emotions.

While everyone is different, there are a few common signs that people can look for. Individuals may notice symptoms such as:

  • Depression and paranoia
  • Panic attacks
  • Nightmares and insomnia
  • Thrill-seeking behaviors
  • Emotional outbursts
  • Self-injury

How Are Alcoholism and PTSD Connected?

Unfortunately, alcoholism and PTSD often occur at the same time. An estimated one out of four adults with a mental disorder also suffers from substance use. For many people, drugs and alcohol are a way to self-medicate for the side effects of PTSD.

When someone drinks a lot of alcohol, the brain releases a chemical known as dopamine. This chemical hits certain receptors in the brain to temporarily reduce psychological distress. For a brief period of time, the individual’s symptoms go away.

Unfortunately, alcohol will never get rid of the symptoms for long. Once the individual finishes their drinking session, the symptoms will come back. In most cases, the symptoms will be stronger than before because alcohol causes side effects like decreased mood, headaches, and irritability.

Alcoholism and PTSD cause a destructive cycle. The human body quickly gains a tolerance to alcohol. Before long, the individual needs more and more alcohol to achieve the same effects. Because of this, an addiction can develop extremely quickly. When this happens, individuals need to find the right addiction treatment programs to start their recovery.

Finding Treatment for Alcoholism and Mental Health Disorders

At a dual diagnosis treatment center in North Carolina, clients can get help for their addiction and their underlying disorder. When someone self-medicates with drugs or alcohol, they need to treat their mental disorder at the same time as the addiction. Otherwise, they may feel tempted to use again when their PTSD symptoms reappear. Through the right treatment program, clients can get support with options such as:

  • Trauma, anxiety and depression treatment
  • Hybrid programs with a focus on the outdoor wilderness
  • Family counseling and therapy
  • Organic and experiential therapies
  • Dual diagnosis programs
  • Eco-therapy and gardening

Realizing that you want to become sober is the first step in overcoming your addiction. With the right rehab center, you can begin your journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Find out how Red Oak Recovery can help by calling us today at 866-457-7590.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Categories: Alcohol Addiction, alcoholism, mental illness, PTSDBy Red Oak RecoveryFebruary 18, 2019
Tags: addiction treatment programsalcoholism and PTSDdual diagnosis treatment center in North Carolina

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:My Husband Is an AlcoholicNextNext post:Are Men’s Drug Rehab Centers in Raleigh, NC Right for Me?

Related posts

a young man begins effective treatment for ptsd to improve his quality of life and mental health
What Is the Most Effective Treatment for PTSD?
March 21, 2023
a birds eye view of new york city as the sun finishes rising
New York City Alcohol Rehab Center Alternative
March 17, 2023
a young man starts to wonder if he has alcohol dementia as a result of his chronic problem drinking
What Is Alcohol Dementia?
March 1, 2023
a young man seems upset with himself for how much alcohol he has had at a work party
What Is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?
February 13, 2023
a man begins to struggle with the negative side effects of his alcohol abuse
Negative Side Effects of Alcohol Abuse
February 1, 2023
a veteran enters treatment for his ptsd and learns how to overcome his ptsd triggers
How to Overcome Your PTSD Triggers
February 18, 2019
Red Oak Recovery NC Rehab Center full logo 250x75
REDEFINING THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

CALL US TODAY 866.457.7590

Explore our programs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery® Treatment Programs
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Men’s Rehab Center Program
  • Women’s Rehab Center Program
  • Women’s Substance Abuse Treatment Center
  • Family Therapy Program
  • Family Addiction Counseling
  • Clinical Rehabilitation for Young Adults
  • 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program
  • Holistic Healing Services
  • Addiction Therapy Services
  • Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Rehab Center Program
  • Alcohol Rehab Center Program
  • Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center
  • Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment Center
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
  • Adderall Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
  • Men’s Heroin Rehab Center
  • Men’s Alcohol Rehab Center
Contact Red Oak

631 Willow Creek Rd
Leicester, NC 28748

P: 866.457.7590

F: 828.372.4213

admissions@redoakrecovery.com

hr@redoakrecovery.com

TwitterLinkedinInstagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery® Mental Health Treatment Programs
  • Young Adult Rehab Programs
  • Mental Health Treatment Center
  • Grief Counseling Program
  • Anxiety Treatment Center
  • Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Center
  • Depression Treatment Center
  • Disordered Eating Treatment Center
  • Anorexia Treatment Center
  • Bulimia Treatment Center
  • OCD Treatment Center
  • Trauma Treatment Center
  • Adjustment Disorder Treatment Center
  • Behavioral Health Services
  • Adjustment Disorder Treatment Program
  • Mood Disorder Treatment Program
Red Oak Recovery® Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Addiction Treatment Programs
  • Men’s Rehab Program
  • Women’s Rehab Program
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Center
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment Center
  • Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center
  • Drug Addiction Treatment Center
  • Heroin Addiction Treatment Center
  • Cocaine Addiction Treatment Center
  • Opioid Addiction Treatment Center
  • Adderall Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
ACCREDITATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
NATSAP_Research Designated Program
Association for addiction professionals logo
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities logo
National association of therapeutic schools and programs
NAATP Member Logo Horizontal RGB
NCDHHS FOOTER3
lgbtq flag red oak recovery
The Willows At Red Oak Recovery Sm Logo
Foothills-at-Red-Oak-Recovery-Logo-500
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Red Oak Recovery
SEO and Web Design © Red Oak Recovery | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Asheville NC Rehab Center | The Willows at Red Oak Recovery | Foothills at Red Oak Recovery |

Contact us today to let us start supporting your family.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn