Managing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Sober Living

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) often occur simultaneously, each contributing to a high level of stress. Those who have encountered traumatic events may develop PTSD. To cope with the effects of PTSD, many individuals turn to an addictive substance, which can lead to the development of SUD.

Understanding how PTSD and SUD interact in sober living environments and how best to manage them both is key to making the most out of this experience. We want you to gain maximum benefit from sober living by learning the necessary skills to manage each of these disorders in your everyday life.

Understanding PTSD and SUD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that develops when an individual encounters a shocking or potentially dangerous event, leaving a lasting impact on their perception of life. This disorder affects an individual’s ability to differentiate reality from past fears, causing their fight-or-flight response to act inappropriately.

The symptoms of PTSD often include encountering intrusive memories, avoidance of triggers, negative changes in mood and cognition, and increased arousal and level of reactivity. These effects can have a significant impact on someone’s daily life by making it difficult to function normally.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic disease that occurs from the prolonged pattern of relying on substances. This condition tends to impair the reward system of the brain, leading to compulsive drug-seeking to achieve a dopamine rush. Individuals with SUD may continue using drugs or alcohol even though they face negative repercussions. Once the cycle of addiction is activated, it can be incredibly difficult to break, as the substances remain a high priority in the brain.

The Connection Between PTSD and SUD

PTSD and SUD are often connected, with one increasing the likelihood of the other. According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 50% of individuals struggling with PTSD also are managing a SUD diagnosis. These people tend to have experienced more traumatic events than their non-SUD counterparts and could develop PTSD as a result.

The connection between PTSD and SUD is complex. Some may turn to drugs or alcohol for comfort while others experience PTSD as a direct result of their substance abuse. No matter the underlying cause, having both conditions together can have a devastating impact on an individual’s ability to maintain sobriety and independence in sober living environments.

The Impact of PTSD and SUD on Sober Living

Sober living environments offer individuals in recovery a safe, supportive atmosphere that encourages sobriety. While these settings can be effective for maintaining sobriety and working toward a more independent lifestyle, those suffering from PTSD may find it more challenging to maintain their sobriety or independence in this setting.

PTSD can cause an intense emotional and physical reaction that may increase cravings for substance use. It may also induce feelings of helplessness, making it difficult to sustain motivation to maintain sobriety. PTSD may induce avoidance behaviors that make it difficult to engage in activities that are required for sober living. It may also hinder someone’s ability to open up to others and create new connections, as it may be difficult to trust others.

Even in supportive and structured environments, an individual’s likelihood of relapse increases as adult responsibilities build. The withdrawal symptoms associated with SUD may be challenging to manage, and this is also true in a sober living setting. It is essential to find a proper balance in one’s sober living lifestyle, as the stress of adulthood responsibilities can easily hinder one’s progress.

Managing PTSD and SUD in Sober Living

Sober living is a supportive environment designed to help individuals maintain sobriety and independence after discharge from a treatment facility. Unfortunately, managing PTSD or SUD in sober living can be challenging due to these disorders’ potential to interfere with daily functioning. Using these techniques can help you to make the most out of your sober living experience and develop the skills needed to manage the effects of these disorders moving forward.

Recognize the Signs of PTSD

You may not know whether PTSD led to the onset of your substance use. When looking at your initial reason for using substances and the beginning of your addiction, it is important to assess whether a traumatic experience may have been involved. Reviewing the undeniable signs of PTSD can help you to determine if this is a disorder you may be dealing with.

Utilize Your Relapse Prevention Plan

If you are coming from a treatment center, you likely have taken the time to put together a relapse prevention plan. At the moment, this may seem like a waste of time, but this plan can become essential in your recovery. Try to consistently review this plan to ensure you are prepared to manage a potential opportunity for relapse that comes your way. If you have not made a relapse prevention plan, discuss this with our staff and we will help you to create one. It is important to update this plan as needed to ensure it fulfills your needs moving forward.

Enhance Your Coping Skills

Coping skills are vital for managing PTSD and SUD while in sober living. These strategies and techniques can help you to manage your stress and decrease the chance of relapse. There are a number of coping skills you likely have in your recovery toolbox. You will likely continue to add more as you continue on your journey. Experiment with different coping mechanisms and find which methods work best for you. You can discuss with other residents the different coping skills that can be used in specific situations. Perhaps this will give you further insight into what may work for you.

Avoid Triggers

Triggers are events, people, or situations that can cause intense emotional or physical reactions. Individuals with PTSD and SUD often find that triggers increase their risk for relapse. It is essential to identify what your triggers are and work to avoid them as best as possible when managing symptoms in sober living. For instance, if someone or something triggers you, try your best to stay away from them or develop coping strategies for managing them effectively.

Create a Support System

Establishing a support system is an essential aspect of recovery. This could include family, friends, and peers in sober living. Finding people who understand your struggles and provide emotional support is extremely beneficial when adjusting to life outside of treatment. You will likely find that other residents in your sober living building will resonate with many of your hardships and become a good support network. These relationships can often carry on beyond sober living, leaving you with a long-term support system.

Practice Self-Care

Self-care can include getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, engaging in physical activity, practicing mindfulness techniques, and engaging in activities that you enjoy. Engaging in self-care is often highly emphasized through recovery, but it is for a good reason. Self-care allows you to take matters into your own hands and give yourself the love that you deserve. By working toward self-love and acceptance, the opinions of others become less essential for your recovery.

Participate in Group Therapy

Group therapy can be an excellent tool for managing PTSD and SUD while in sober living. This form of therapy offers individuals a safe space to share and process emotions alongside others who share similar experiences. This format also helps provide practical strategies for managing these disorders within sober living settings. If you are struggling to get to know some of the other residents, group therapy sessions can be a great way to start building those relationships in a safe and confidential environment.

Create a Routine

Having a routine can provide structure and stability in your sober living experience. This can be incredibly helpful for individuals with PTSD, as it reduces the factor of the unknown. A routine may include things like getting up at the same time each day, attending support group meetings, and engaging in self-care activities. Utilizing a schedule and maintaining a routine can also help ensure you are living a balanced lifestyle.

Understand the Emotional Effects of PTSD

SUD can have a major impact on your ability to control your emotions, but PTSD drastically heightens this concern. PTSD tends to take a drastic toll on the brain’s ability to recognize danger. If you find that you struggle with this disorder, you might interpret situations as dangerous and fall back onto the use of substances to cope with the high emotional stress that arises. Focusing on treating your PTSD will greatly improve your ability to overcome this stressful cycle that leads to addiction.

Engage in Therapies That Address Trauma

Consider engaging in therapeutic practices that focus on treating trauma outside of your sober living environment. Sober living requirements tend to focus on the substance use aspect, but this may not be as beneficial in addressing the roots of your trauma. Reach out to our staff if you feel you would benefit from engaging in additional therapy focusing on healing your trauma. Healing trauma requires patience and dedication as you work to rewire your neural pathways to no longer associate things with a false presumption of danger.

To understand a little more about this process, think of yourself as a tree. Your roots are planted into the earth. A certain portion of the earth represents the traumatic events of your past you’re grasping onto. When wind, rain, or any unexpected factor stirs things up and affects your roots, you find that you are reacting to the event as if it was a traumatic experience all over again. You become unable to recognize the difference between your memories and reality.

To overcome this, you have to re-route your roots. You need to grasp onto new memories and alter the natural response associated with the traumatic memories. This allows you to regrow from a new surface, setting yourself up to thrive.

Reach Out for Help

Managing PTSD and SUD can be challenging, especially as you adjust to a new living environment. If you encounter any problems, please reach out to our staff on-site. We are always happy to assist you and provide you with advice in managing your obstacles. Managing these disorders requires patience, persistence, and plenty of support if you want to make the most out of your sober living journey. Utilize the suggestions in this article to set yourself up for success.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) often occur together. These disorders tend to reinforce each other, having a combined effect on your sobriety journey. It is essential to isolate these disorders and ensure you are engaging in therapeutic practices that assist you in managing both. By utilizing your relapse prevention plan, enhancing your coping skills, avoiding triggers, creating or building your support system, engaging in self-care, participating in group therapy, using a structured routine, and understanding the emotional effects of these disorders, you can set yourself up for success through your sober living experience. To learn more, reach out to Real Recovery Sober Living at (727) 290-9156.