Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Substance Abuse Treatment Near You in New Jersey
Experiencing a traumatic event can put a person at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can also increase the likelihood of substance use. People with both PTSD and a substance use disorder (SUD) can access integrated treatment at Rubicon Recovery Center. Serving individuals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, we offer drug and alcohol addiction treatments along with dual diagnosis care for those with co-occurring mental health disorders and SUDs. Learn more about our dual diagnosis substance use and PTSD treatment near you in New Jersey.
Key Takeaways
- Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health disorder that develops when a person witnesses or experiences a traumatic event.
- Symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
- Patients with PTSD often have substance use disorders as well, often because they will self-medicate with substances like alcohol, opioids, or cannabis.
- Insurance coverage for PTSD treatment will vary based on the patient’s specific plan, but it is often covered at least partially under federal mental health parity laws.
- Rubicon Recovery Center offers dual diagnosis care for patients with PTSD and SUD, with evidence-based therapies, holistic methodologies, and 3 levels of care.
What Are PTSD Symptoms?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health disorder that can develop when a person experiences or witnesses an extremely stressful, shocking, or life-threatening event. Triggers of PTSD include combat exposure, sexual assault or rape, physical assault, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and more.
The main symptoms of PTSD include:
- Intrusive memories of the event, including nightmares and flashbacks
- Avoiding people, environments, thoughts, or feelings related to the traumatic experience
- Negative changes in thinking and mood, such as emotional numbness, pessimism, or feeling detached, guilty, or angry
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions, including startling easily, being irritable, breathing rapidly, and more
Since these symptoms can have a major impact on a person’s daily functioning and quality of life, it’s important to seek professional treatment. When a person with PTSD also has an SUD, the need for specialized dual diagnosis care is essential.
Understanding the Link Between PTSD and Addiction
Individuals with PTSD may also have substance use disorders. According to the National Center for PTSD, around 45% of U.S. adults with PTSD also abuse drugs or alcohol. Most often, a person is first diagnosed with PTSD and will use substances to self-medicate or cope with symptoms. However, substance use can also occur before a person develops PTSD.
While many people with PTSD self-medicate with alcohol or drugs like opioids to feel better or distract from negative symptoms, this substance use can aggravate PTSD. It may result in:
- Worsening symptoms such as sleep disruptions, anger, and anxiety
- Greater negative effects on career performance, physical health, and personal relationships
- Higher risks of severe depression and suicide
- A cycle of dependence and emotional distress
In the past, co-occurring PTSD and SUD would be treated sequentially, addressing one first and then the other. The modern approach is to treat both conditions concurrently using an integrated approach and a coordinated care team. This helps ensure one condition doesn’t worsen while the other improves and prevents conflicting medical advice that can complicate treatment.
How Do We Treat PTSD at Rubicon Recovery Center?
Rubicon Recovery Center partners with our sister center, Rubicon Mental Health Center, to provide dual diagnosis care for individuals with PTSD and a substance use disorder. As long as a patient comes into treatment primarily for an SUD, we can also treat their mental health disorder. We use both evidence-based and holistic therapies to treat the whole person, not just the diagnoses. Treatments we may use include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Individual therapy
- Family counseling
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapies, such as breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation
Our programs follow a three-fold disease model that addresses patients’ physical, mental, and spiritual health, not just surface-level symptoms or trending modalities. By treating both conditions simultaneously, we help improve long-term outcomes and lasting recovery.
What Are the Levels of Care for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
At Rubicon Recovery Center, we offer patients three levels of care to meet them where they are. This format allows us to accommodate patients with varying levels of need. Our programs include:
- Partial Care program (Partial Hospitalization Program / PHP): This is our highest-level program, which typically lasts 30–45 days. Patients attend sessions for 6 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): This is our mid-level program, which generally lasts 10–12 weeks. Patients attend sessions for 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week.
- Outpatient Program (OP): This is our lowest-level program, which is typically only for current patients who need to step down from IOP or PHP. Patients attend sessions for 2 to 3 days per week, for an hour a day, and the program length varies based on the patient.
Before treatment begins, we perform a comprehensive clinical assessment on each patient to ensure they’re placed in the right program for their diagnoses and treatment goals.
What Are the Benefits of Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment?
At Rubicon Recovery Center, we understand that patients with PTSD need a trauma-informed approach to care. This helps to acknowledge the widespread impact of trauma on mental health and substance use, promoting principles of safety, transparency, empowerment, and choice during the treatment process. Benefits of our trauma-informed addiction care include:
- Personalized care plans that are tailored to the patient’s diagnoses, symptoms, treatment goals, etc.
- Evidence-based therapeutic interventions that treat both PTSD and substance abuse
- Holistic therapies that promote balance, stability, and overall well-being
- A compassionate team of licensed addiction counselors, mental health professionals, case managers, and support staff
- Long-term support after the program ends, including aftercare planning, continued counseling, relapse preventionstrategies, and more
For more information about treatment at Rubicon Recovery Center, check out our alumni testimonials.
Does Insurance Cover PTSD Treatment at Rubicon Recovery Center?
Federal mental health parity laws require that private health insurance providers treat mental health conditions on par with physical health conditions. This means most insurance plans will cover at least a portion of the cost of mental health/substance use treatment. However, the coverage will depend on your specific plan and benefits. At Rubicon Recovery Center, we accept most major insurance providers, such as:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Government Employees Health Association (G.E.H.A.)
- Meritain Health
- UnitedHealthcare
- TRICARE East
We also offer a quick and easy insurance verification process, where you can either fill out our online form or call 908-274-0015. One of our knowledgeable professionals will check your coverage and explain it to you, so you’re not left surprised later.
Find Help for PTSD and Substance Use Disorder Near You in New Jersey
When you’re struggling with PTSD and a substance use disorder, it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, help is available at Rubicon Recovery Center. We specialize in dual diagnosis care for individuals with co-occurring disorders, helping to heal the whole person. Serving individuals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, we provide convenient outpatient programs that offer greater flexibility than inpatient options. To learn more about our SUD and PTSD treatment near you in New Jersey, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD Treatment
What are the signs of PTSD?
The symptoms of PTSD are often classified into four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. Patients may experience flashbacks, nightmares, self-destructive behavior, mood swings, and more.
Does PTSD cause substance use?
Not directly. However, individuals who experience traumatic events have a higher likelihood of turning to substances to self-medicate.
Can PTSD and addiction be treated together?
Yes, PTSD and addiction should be treated together using an integrated treatment plan and coordinated care team. This helps prevent conflicting advice and the worsening of one condition while treating the other.
Does insurance cover PTSD treatment?
It depends on your insurance provider and benefits, but PTSD treatment is often covered at least partially because of federal mental health parity laws.
How long does PTSD treatment take?
The treatment length is dependent on the patient, their needs, their treatment goals, and other factors. Our Partial Care program (Partial Hospitalization Program / PHP) typically runs for 30-45 days, while the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) often lasts for 10 to 12 weeks.
Will I need medication to treat my PTSD?
You might. We provide medication management for individuals who need mental health medications, as well as medication-assisted treatment for certain substance abuse disorders.
What substances are often abused by individuals with PTSD?
Substances that are often abused by individuals with PTSD include alcohol, opioids like painkillers, cannabis, and central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines.
Does Rubicon Recovery Center offer medication-assisted treatment?
Yes, we offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is designed to reduce cravings and withdrawals for individuals with alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder.