Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Substance Use
Integrated, evidence-based treatment with holistic care in the Hollywood Hills.
What Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Is
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that develops after exposure to traumatic experiences such as abuse, violence, accidents, natural disasters, or combat. It is marked by symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, emotional numbness, and heightened startle responses. According to the National Center for PTSD (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023), about 6% of the U.S. population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, with higher rates among veterans and survivors of interpersonal trauma. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) explains that PTSD involves disruptions in the brain’s amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, which regulate fear, memory, and emotional control. Renowned trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, emphasizes that trauma fundamentally alters both brain and body chemistry—keeping the nervous system locked in a state of chronic survival even long after the threat has passed.
How does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder impact life and lead to substance use?
PTSD can profoundly affect mental, emotional, and physical health, often making daily life feel unsafe or unpredictable. Individuals may struggle with insomnia, irritability, emotional detachment, or difficulty concentrating, while intrusive memories or hypervigilance can interfere with work, relationships, and personal stability. Many turn to substances such as alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs to numb emotional pain or manage anxiety. Research from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) indicates that nearly 46% of individuals with PTSD also develop a co-occurring substance use disorder, as self-medication becomes a coping mechanism for emotional distress. However, substance use ultimately worsens trauma symptoms and can lead to dependency, depression, or increased impulsivity. Untreated PTSD has also been linked to higher rates of hospitalization, self-harm, and suicide, highlighting the urgent need for integrated, trauma-informed treatment.
How does Bliss Recovery treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
At Bliss Recovery, PTSD treatment focuses on addressing both the psychological and physiological effects of trauma through a comprehensive, trauma-informed approach. The program combines evidence-based psychotherapies with holistic healing practices to restore calm, resilience, and emotional balance. Clients receive individualized treatment that may include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Brainspotting—a powerful, neuroscience-based technique that helps process deep emotional trauma stored in the body by using specific eye positions to access and release distress. These clinical therapies are complemented by holistic modalities such as yoga, meditation, sound baths, and nutritional counseling, all designed to regulate the nervous system and reconnect the mind and body. When clinically indicated, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) may include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft) or paroxetine (Paxil), as well as prazosin for trauma-related nightmares and gabapentin for anxiety and sleep regulation. Bliss Recovery’s team of licensed psychiatrists, therapists, and clinicians specialize in trauma-focused care, guiding clients toward emotional safety, long-term healing, and renewed empowerment in recovery
