Drug Rehab New York City Begins It's Summer PTSD
Drug Rehab New York City has begun its summer mental health and wellness campaign to correspond with the National PTSD Awareness Month...
Drug Rehab New York City Begins It's PTSD and Dual Diagnosis Outreach Campaign in New York, New York to Coincide with PTSD Awareness Month
Drug Rehab New York City has begun its summer mental health and wellness campaign to correspond with the National PTSD Awareness Month in order to promote trauma resolution and sober recovery programs.
Drug Rehab New York City is kicking off a summer long outreach campaign to raise awareness about the dual diagnosis of PTSD and addiction, and how victims of this illness can now find relief from their symptoms at local drug treatment centers and alcohol rehabs. PTSD effects thousands of Americans in the United States each year. In June, the National Center for PTSD begins its awareness campaign to target veterans and the many others effected.
"As Americans, every day of the year should be focused on assisting those who have served this nation so bravely," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "But in June, we take special care in focusing on those with PTSD."
Individuals suffering from this disorder often turn to drugs and alcohol to alleviate their symptoms. The mental health community refers to the presence of both illnesses as, "dual diagnosis." Those living with PTSD and alcoholism in the New York City metropolitan area are neither alone or without resources. Due to changes in the Affordable Care Act, there are now multiple avenues available to veterans for mental health and addiction treatment. Not only can they access programs through VA hospitals, but they can use their insurance or medicaid to seek assistance in the various drug rehabs, addiction treatment centers and other hospitals specializing in alcoholism and substance abuse. Today, PTSD programs are found in drug treatment centers and alcohol rehabs all across the country. Thanks, in large part, to research funded by the US military, the doors to dual diagnosis treatment for drug dependency and addiction issues have been opened; offering more people the ability to receive therapy for their symptoms of PTSD. From New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services:
"Forty-four percent of the 2007 non-crisis discharges from New York State-funded substance use treatment programs involved patients with co-occurring mental health disorders (OASAS Client Data System, 2009)."
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has been categorized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a mental health disorder. While the focus of PTSD has recently been on our nation's veterans, it is far more common and widespread than that. Any individual who has endured a traumatic event or an act of repeated aggression is at risk for developing PTSD. Though people with PTSD make up only a small portion of all violence and trauma victims, the symptoms of this disorder are so extreme that treatment is considered to be the difference between life and death. Symptoms include: anxiety, insomnia and sleeplessness, hallucinations and traumatic flashbacks, as well as, depression, suicidal and/or violent beliefs.
The stigma associated with mental health disorders, such as PTSD, is one of the many reasons people use drugs and alcohol as an outlet for suppressing their feelings rather than reaching out for help at VA hospitals. Due to the large rates of Alcoholism in PTSD patients, Drug Rehab New York NY has made it one of the focal points of its campaign.
The New York campaign for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and dual diagnosis addiction awareness will supply information about the disorder, as well as drug addiction and dependency, alcoholism, substance abuse, and the risk of addiction. It is crucial that the target population be made aware of the dangers behind the use of alcohol or drugs to self-medicate. By educating the public about what PTSD is and what it is not, veterans and trauma victims will become less stigmatized. With a better understanding in the community about this condition, more veterans will come forward and ask for help. Extreme cases will always make the news because the public is more intrigued by stories of vets that have harmed others, rather than vets that are harming themselves. From Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
"In the 5 years from 2005 to 2009, more than 1,100 members of the Armed Forces took their own lives, an average of 1 suicide every 36 hours."