Comparison of Acute Stress Disorder vs PTSD

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is common in trauma survivors. The same is true for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In discussions about acute stress disorder vs PTSD, there’s frequently a mention of chemical dependence. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

Processing Emotions and Memories Overwhelms You

Trauma may involve surviving an assault or childhood abandonment. You may be a combat veteran. No matter what happened, the emotions and memories of the event haunt you to this day. How does knowing about acute stress disorder vs PTSD help you today?

In most instances, ASD is the mind’s immediate response to the trauma. Blood pressure comes up, your fight or flight mechanism triggers, and adrenaline floods your system. Your heart races and breathing speeds up. The focus is now on handling the situation.

In contrast, PTSD occurs weeks, months, or years after the event. You suddenly experience parallel sensations. Similarly, you have the fear and sudden clarity of impending doom. However, it’s hitting you in the middle of the day, at dinner, or at bedtime.

Acute Stress Disorder vs PTSD

When you first struggle with ASD, receive treatment immediately. Your psychological health received a severe hit. Treatment now might prevent future episodes of PTSD. Most importantly, failure to receive care can tempt you to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.

The emotions and memories won’t go away. Because you don’t know how to handle them, you try to numb yourself. This action carries forward from acute stress disorder vs PTSD as well. You increase drug use as your body builds a tolerance.

Is it possible to avoid drug abuse by getting help for ASD? Yes. It’s worth noting that not every person with PTSD experiences ASD. Therefore, you may still be at risk of substance abuse with untreated trauma.

Dealing with Chemical Dependency

It doesn’t matter how you got here. The reality is that you’re using to numb yourself. Most importantly, it’s not working out for you. There are health concerns.

Besides that, the stress response and substance abuse are destroying relationships. Because you can’t see a way out, whether its acute stress disorder vs PTSD, you know it’s time to get help. Rehab offers PTSD as well as acute stress disorder treatment programs. Similarly, you get help for drug abuse.

Start with detox, a process in which you rid your body of the drugs you’ve been using. Medication-assisted treatment helps with pain relief, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Next, you move to clinical therapy. Modalities include:

• Trauma therapy, which enables you to process emotions and memories in healthy ways
• Cognitive behavioral therapy that gives you coping skills to stop negative patterns
• Family counseling as a way to rebuild relationships and reopen avenues of communication
• Anger management, which helps you deal with strong emotions
• Group therapy, which introduces accountability to peers as well as support
• Individual therapy that provides a safe setting for opening up and processing memories

Learn more about the intricacies involving acute stress disorder vs PTSD. Finally, put yourself in a position to heal. Beaches Recovery experts are ready to help. Call us at 866.605.0532 now.