Mental health & substance use
PTSD
& substance use.
When the effects of trauma remain.
The Lake’s primary focus is substance use disorder treatment. Co-occurring mental health and behavioral concerns are addressed alongside that care.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can affect a person’s sense of safety long after a traumatic experience. When alcohol or drug use is also a concern, there is more than one part of the experience to understand.
Start a conversation
Understanding PTSD
More than the memory of an event
People can have many reactions after trauma, and not everyone develops PTSD. PTSD involves symptoms that persist and interfere with daily life. A person may continue to feel stressed or frightened even when they are no longer in danger.
Experiences can include intrusive memories or nightmares, avoiding reminders, feeling constantly on guard, and changes in mood or connection with others. PTSD is not limited to combat experiences. A qualified mental health professional can assess whether symptoms meet the criteria.
The co-occurring picture
Making room for both concerns.
PTSD can coexist with substance use, depression or anxiety. Understanding the relationship between these concerns helps keep the clinical picture from being reduced to a single symptom or behavior. Specific treatment needs and the appropriate setting depend on individual assessment.
Explore co-occurring disordersA useful starting point
Bring your questions.
A conversation does not require you to have the right label. These are useful topics to discuss with a qualified clinician, rather than a checklist for diagnosing yourself.
- What would help a clinician understand how the experience affects your life now?
- How are sleep, feeling on guard or avoiding reminders affecting daily routines?
- What concerns about alcohol or drug use would you like to discuss?
Whether The Lake is an appropriate setting depends on each person’s clinical needs and assessment. Ask about your circumstances and what support may fit.