On September 11th, 2001, the world was shaken by the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. If you were old enough to remember 9/11, it is one of those days that will be forever engrained in your memory. It was heavily televised – live for the most part – so whether you were in New York City or miles away watching horrified as the towers came down, it was an event that greatly affected everyone. As we recognize the day for the fourteenth year, we had to ask, how do events like this effect substance abuse and what can we do about it?
The Aftermath of Substance Abuse
During 9/11, those who were directly exposed as well as those who returned to Ground Zero on rescue missions suffered and continue to suffer from terrible side effects such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and depression. When someone has to manage these serious psychological conditions they are often so affected by what happened to them that they turn to substances like alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana just to be able to cope. What’s more is that even though it happened so long ago, for most people it feels like it was just yesterday, and PTSD symptoms and relapses tend to reemerge around the anniversary of a trauma.
PTSD and Depression Effects after 9/11
Leading a normal life can be such a battle after experiencing a traumatic event like 9/11 and the best thing for the those who suffer from PTSD or a relapse is simply to be surrounded and supported by friends and family.
The Discovery House is trauma informed and specializes in co-occurring disorders like PTSD and depression. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction caused by a traumatic experience, our treatment specialists will meet you where you are in your journey and help you toward a foreseeable path to recovery.
To learn more about The Discovery House visit www.TheDiscoveryHouse.com or call (855) 203-7930.