PTSD Can Lead to Alcoholism Among Trauma Workers
Trauma workers expose themselves to horrifying disasters regularly, and more than 50 percent develop varying degrees of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. This condition often leads to drug or alcohol abuse.
Fortunately, there are healthy ways to deal with PTSD. Psychotherapy and counseling can help victims understand their condition and address its challenges. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can teach patients new patterns of thought.
If you are a trauma worker who has an alcohol or drug addiction, you must find a rehab center that specializes in PTSD. At Serenity House Detox Florida, we’re committed to supporting those who struggle with addiction and trauma. To that end, we offer a wide array of treatment options. Please call Serenity House Detox Florida today at 866.294.5306 to learn more about our treatment programs.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an individual’s response to a deeply disturbing or distressing event. In most cases, it overwhelms the person’s ability to cope with the event, leading to feelings of helplessness. It can also diminish the person’s sense of themself and eradicate their ability to cope with specific emotions and experiences. Unfortunately, trauma affects everyone differently, so an event that appears traumatic to one person may not be traumatic to another person, even if they witnessed or were part of the same event. Trauma encompasses a wide array of situations, including:
- Natural disasters, such as a flood, fire, hurricane, or tornado
- Sexual or physical assault
- Witnessing or experiencing extreme violence
- The sudden death of a friend or a loved one
- Experiencing a war zone
Trauma workers are at a heightened risk of developing PTSD because they witness traumatic situations all too often. For instance, a foreign aid worker may see the aftermath of a natural disaster or a war. They may even experience some of these events first-hand. If they do not have the coping mechanisms in place to deal with these feelings, they may turn to substances to cope.
The Connection Between Trauma and Alcoholism
According to research about the connection between alcoholism and trauma, there is a positive correlation between traumatic events, developing PTSD, and alcoholism. In other words, those who have witnessed a traumatic event are more likely to develop PTSD. As a result of that PTSD, they may turn to drugs or alcohol to manage these emotions. In many cases, those who have PTSD due to a traumatic event struggled with long-term substance abuse, particularly alcohol dependence.
Some research indicates that the connection between alcoholism and trauma goes both ways. The more a person abuses alcohol, the greater the risk that they’ll experience a traumatic event. Increased alcohol use impairs a person’s senses and lowers their inhibitions, which could lead to risky behavior. However, many people use alcohol to cope with trauma. They feel that they cannot cope with their unexpressed thoughts and feelings without using the substance. It’s critical to seek trauma-informed treatment to address both the unresolved feelings and emotions as well as the addiction.
Seek Treatment at Serenity House Detox Florida
At Serenity House Detox Florida, we understand how challenging alcoholism can be for trauma workers and many others. However, also recognize that it is treatable. We offer a wide array of therapeutic options that help each person understand their trauma and cope with it in a healthy way. Our therapeutic options include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Yoga therapy
- Nutrition therapy
- Family therapy
Don’t let your trauma prevent you from living a life you can love. If you suffer from trauma and alcoholism in Florida, please contact Serenity Hosue Detox Florida today at 866.294.5306, or contact us online.
