WHEN | Wednesday, June 28, 2023 @ 1 pm
WHERE | Zoom Webinar
REGISTRATION | Zoom Registration Here 
CONTINUING EDUCATION | This webinar will offer 1 CE Credit

Presented by Susan Riley, LCPC/CADC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor at Grow Wellness Group

While PTSD is commonly associated with war, anyone who has undergone trauma can experience residual symptoms from the distressing event after it has ended. This discussion will explain the role of PTSD in substance use that results in a co-occurring disorder and its effects. Further, we will outline the signs of co-occurring PTSD and substance use, the need for awareness and readiness for change in our clients, and available levels of care for those afflicted with these conditions. Further discussion will include:

• What do levels of care from inpatient hospitalization, outpatient programming and down to outpatient therapy look like?
• Why would a client go to inpatient vs. outpatient programming vs. outpatient therapy/medication management
• How can we, as mental health providers, stay current with knowledge and practices in the field of PTSD & Substance Use?

A variety of traumatic events can lead to PTSD, and identifying the event that triggered symptoms is an important part of any effective treatment plan. This will also lead to a more thorough understanding of the trauma so future or worsening symptoms can be prevented or lessened with proper therapy or other treatment options. Because traumatic events have a lasting impact, people with PTSD often self-medicate to cope with their symptoms. Ultimately, this type of drug and alcohol use can lead to a substance use disorder.

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People who’ve suffered childhood trauma experience a wide range of side effects, both psychological and behavioral. It’s not uncommon to hear that someone who has suffered a traumatic experience now struggles with addiction. Too often, trauma leads to alcoholism or drug misuse. Anyone who has a mental health condition and a substance use disorder has a dual diagnosis — this includes those with severe anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia. To treat a dual diagnosis of PTSD, a treatment facility must be able to address both the addictive cycle and the underlying trauma that caused the addiction, which could include an analysis of all trauma-related triggers.

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During a traumatic event, many people feel intense fear, which can trigger the stress response, also known as the “fight-or-flight” response. When your body activates the stress response, survival becomes the primary goal. After the threat has passed, the body can calm down again and resume typical functioning. Unfortunately, in some cases, the stress response doesn’t get switched off following a traumatic event, or it malfunctions in such a way that a person continues to feel threatened or afraid. Often, PTSD symptoms start to appear several months after a traumatic event. In some cases, a person with PTSD might not develop signs and symptoms until years later. The symptoms must last for longer than one month and need to be severe enough to interfere with daily life to qualify as PTSD.

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