KANSAS CITY, June 16, 2024 – June is National PTSD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), its effects, and the treatments available to those who suffer from it. This observance is particularly significant in light of the high prevalence of PTSD among individuals with substance use disorders (SUD). According to the National Library of Medicine, up to 45% of patients with SUD experience comorbid PTSD, underscoring the critical need for effective, integrated treatment approaches.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as military combat, sexual or physical violence, natural disasters, or severe accidents. It can affect anyone, not just veterans, and its symptoms can include nightmares, flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. When PTSD coexists with SUD, the complexity of treatment increases, necessitating specialized approaches that address both conditions simultaneously.
National and international guidelines advocate for trauma-focused treatments for PTSD due to their higher effectiveness compared to non-trauma-focused approaches.
A Twitter (X) post by @EMDRIA, an association of over 16,000 EMDR practitioners and researchers committed to upholding the highest standards in EMDR therapy, directs readers to an article on their website about how EMDR assists in PTSD therapy.
Among the trauma-focused treatments, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has shown promise. According to the EMDR International Association, EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. During EMDR therapy, patients focus on a back-and-forth movement or sound while recalling distressing events, which helps reprocess the memory and reduce its emotional impact.
Research from the National Library of Medicine has demonstrated EMDR’s effectiveness in treating PTSD. This evidence suggests that trauma-focused therapies can reduce PTSD symptoms without worsening substance use outcomes. This is crucial because there is often a concern that triggering intense emotions related to trauma during therapy might lead to relapse in substance use. However, the study also indicated that effective PTSD treatment can diminish SUD symptoms by addressing the negative affective states associated with PTSD, which often drive substance use as a coping mechanism.
June 27th will mark PTSD Awareness Day, commemorating the efforts to create awareness about PTSD. According to an article from SAMHSA, this day was established in 2010 in honor of Staff Sergeant Joe Biel, a National Guard service member who suffered from PTSD and died by suicide after serving two tours in Iraq. In 2014, the entire month of June was designated as PTSD Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing this condition.
A Facebook post by Peach Tree Health highlights statistics from the National Center for PTSD and provides information on how individuals struggling with PTSD can find help. The statistics are hyperlinked directly to the National Center for PTSD’s website.
Throughout the month, various organizations and initiatives focus on educating the public about PTSD symptoms and available treatments.
A Facebook post by SAMHSA shares information and resources on PTSD in honor of National PTSD Awareness Month. The post includes a hyperlink directly to SAMHSA’s article on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Research from the National Library of Medicine indicates effective treatments for PTSD include psychotherapies like Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and EMDR. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 6% of the population will experience PTSD at some point, with around 12 million adults in the United States affected annually.
For individuals and families affected by PTSD, numerous resources are available:
- SAMHSA’s treatment locators and helplines offer confidential, 24/7 support.
- The Disaster Distress Helpline provides immediate crisis counseling related to traumatic events.
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers guidance on discussing trauma with children.
Raising awareness and understanding can significantly strengthen support for individuals living with PTSD, promoting the adoption of effective treatments such as EMDR. These therapies offer promising avenues for enhancing the quality of life for those managing both PTSD and substance use disorder.
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