PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)

PTSD was formally recognized in 1980, though descriptions of it go back centuries. To be diagnosed today, a person needs exposure to a traumatic event plus four clusters of symptoms lasting at least a month: intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance of reminders, negative shifts in mood and thinking, and heightened reactivity (being on edge, trouble sleeping, irritability).

PTSD very often shows up alongside addiction, depression, and anxiety. Substance use is frequently how people cope with trauma symptoms, and lasting recovery usually means treating the trauma directly — not just focusing on sobriety. This is a core reason why dual-diagnosis capability matters so much in residential programs.

Leading treatments include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, prolonged exposure therapy, and cognitive processing therapy. SSRIs are commonly prescribed as well. Newer approaches like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy show promise but are still developing.