Minneapolis’ Preferred PTSD Treatment Center

Learn about PTSD & treatment offered at our rehab center

Post-traumatic stress disorder, which is often also referred to by the abbreviation PTSD, is a serious and potentially devastating mental health disorder that develops after a person has experienced or witnessed one or more traumatic events. People who have PTSD may experience symptoms such as nightmares, recurrent involuntary memories of the incident or incidents, psychological distress when reminded of the incident or incidents, feelings of detachment, and dissociative reactions.

PTSD can cause a person to change his or her behaviors in order to avoid reminders of the trauma, and many people with PTSD abuse alcohol or other drugs as a means of dealing with their psychological turmoil. Of course, the combination of posttraumatic stress disorder and substance abuse can significantly worsen a person’s physical and mental health, and can complicate the effort to get the professional help that can improve the afflicted individual’s life. Substance abuse, substance use disorders, and co-occurring PTSD can lead to a destructive cycle of self-defeating behaviors, with the PTSD symptoms prompting more intense substance abuse, and the substance abuse exacerbating the PTSD symptoms.

At Burkwood Treatment Center we understand how posttraumatic stress disorder can impact a person’s life. We have considerable experience working with men and women who are struggling with a substance use disorder and co-occurring PTSD, and we have developed specialized programming that provides comprehensive solutions for people whose chemical dependency is accompanied by PTSD.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment for co-occurring PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder can inflict significant distress not only on the life of the afflicted individual, but also on the lives of his or her loved ones. If someone you care about has developed PTSD, then you already know how difficult this experience can be. What you may not realize is that you can play an essential role in getting your loved one the help that he or she so desperately needs.

• First, it is vital that you educate yourself about the many ways that PTSD can affect a person’s thoughts, actions, and decisions. Understanding what your loved one is experiencing is an important first step in providing him or her with meaningful support.
• Also, you will need to educate yourself about how a substance use disorder may affect and be impacted by PTSD. Again, the better you understand the scope and nature of the problem, the more prepared you will be to offer effective guidance.
• Next, identify the types of treatment that have helped others who were experiencing similar challenges, and identify programs that appear to be prepared to meet your loved one’s needs. Talk to mental health experts, consult with support group organizations, and visit websites of reputable organizations to get the information that you need.
• You will need to talk to your loved one about his or her struggles, your concerns, and the information you have gathered about treatment. Take the time to learn how to conduct a productive conversation on these difficult topics. If at all possible, get help from trusted friends or family members.
• Be prepared for denial, pushback, and even anger, but do not allow the conversation to devolve into an argument. Allow your loved one to express himself or herself, and continue to remind him or her that your goal is not to blame or antagonize, but to work together to find solutions that will improve the quality of his or her life.
• When your loved one has agreed to get treatment, provide whatever logistical support you can to ensure that he or she follows through on this decision. Providing transportation, making appointments, cooking meals, and arranging for childcare can free your loved one up to focus on getting help and getting healthier.

Your loved one will need your support before, during, and after he or she completes residential treatment. Recovery is a long-term effort, especially for individuals who have been struggling with substance abuse, chemical dependency, and PTSD. Leave no doubt in his or her mind that you are ready, willing, and able to provide whatever support he or she needs.

Why consider treatment for co-occurring PTSD at Burkwood Treatment Center

Untreated PTSD can have a profoundly negative impact on a person’s life. Depending upon the nature and severity of his or her symptoms, an individual who struggles with untreated PTSD may find it difficult or virtually impossible to maintain healthy relationships, perform to potential at work, and otherwise meet the responsibilities that are a part of living a healthy and productive life. If a person with PTSD begins to abuse alcohol or other drugs, the likelihood that he or she will experience lasting harm increases exponentially. PTSD and a co-occurring substance use disorder can lead to family discord, separation and divorce, job loss and unemployment, deteriorating physical and mental health, diminished self-esteem, social isolation, and a wide range of additional self-defeating behaviors, including aggression, violence, self-harm, and suicide. Yet with the effective professional treatment, both the compulsion to engage in substance abuse and the distressing symptoms of PTSD can be alleviated, and individuals who previously struggled with these devastating conditions can resume their pursuit of healthy, productive, and satisfying lives.

Types of treatment for co-occurring PTSD offered at Burkwood Treatment Center

Burkwood Treatment Center, a renowned provider of residential addiction treatment, has been helping men and women achieve healthier and sober lives for more than 20 years. Located in scenic Hudson, Wisconsin, this center specializes in providing individualized care for adult men and women who are struggling with the complex disease of addiction and a co-occurring disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder.

With a high counselor-to-participant ratio and interventions that are proven to help people reach their treatment goals, Burkwood supplies the care that is needed to overcome addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions, such as PTSD. The staff of dedicated professionals, which includes individuals who are trained in the 12-Step philosophy and trauma-based interventions, provides ongoing support as the road to recovery is navigated. Furthermore, only the most appropriate treatment methods are chosen to be part of a participant’s treatment plan so as to elicit the most favorable treatment outcomes for each individual. The following are among the many types of treatment that may be incorporated into a participant’s personalized plan of care:

Medication management services: When the symptoms of PTSD are severe and cannot be successfully managed through the use of therapy and healthy coping skills, a participant may require certain medications. At Burkwood, a contracted psychiatrist is available to meet with participants, determine if medication is appropriate, and prescribe medication when a participant requires pharmaceutical intervention. Our helpful mental health technicians and compassionate nursing staff closely monitor the progress of each participant, and are available to also offer support throughout the treatment process.     

Individual therapy: Individuals who are battling an addiction and a co-occurring anxiety disorder are more likely to achieve their recovery goals when they are able to talk through their experiences and emotions with a qualified therapist or counselor. At Burkwood, individual therapy sessions are offered once per week for each participant. These sessions can be a time when men and women can work with a counselor to learn new skills, set new goals, and process their recovery in a healthy manner.   

Group therapy: Counselor-led groups that cover a variety of topics relevant to recovery are an important facet of care at Burkwood. We believe men and women are more likely to recover from addictions and learn to manage the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder when they have the support and guidance of their peers, and we are proud to offer forums in which participants can work together towards achieving recovery and healing. The following groups are examples of the sessions that are offered on a daily basis for the duration of participant’s time with us:    

• Advanced guided imagery group
• Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) speaker meetings
• Recovery advocate psychoeducational group
• Gestalt/analogy-based therapeutic plays
• Goals group
• Primary group
• Didactic activity group
• Big Book Study
• Banking
• Community meetings
• Meditation group

MAAEZ Program: To familiarize our participants with the 12-Step philosophy, Burkwood offers the Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier, or MAAEZ, Program. This program features a treatment model that occurs in a group format, and helps the men and women we treat adapt to working through the 12 steps of recovery. Our staff is expertly trained in facilitating this type of treatment, and is available to provide the support that can help our participants successfully recover from an addiction and the symptoms of PTSD.

Way of Life System: At Burkwood, we understand that receiving treatment for an addiction and co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder can be a trying, yet transformative experience. For this reason, our center employs the Way of Life System to help guide our participants through the therapeutic process. This method of care is unique to Burkwood, utilizes several treatment modalities and disciplines, and helps men and women transition through each phase of their recovery. Audio guides complement the manual that is used for the Way of Life System, and those who partake in this programming are ultimately able to healthily manage their emotions and feelings and reach their treatment goals while in our care.

Family therapy: Understanding that our participants’ addictions and co-occurring PTSD have likely affected their relationships with those closest to them, Burkwood is able to facilitate family therapy sessions when they are needed. These sessions can be a time when those we treat, their friends, family members, or other loved ones come together to repair the damage addiction has caused, and become united in the front against substance abuse.     

Recreational activities: Burkwood is situated amid wondrous natural beauty, and we want our participants to be able to benefit from our picturesque surroundings. When a man or woman is entrusted into our care to overcome an addiction and PTSD, he or she is afforded opportunities to participate in church services and recreational activities, such those listed below:

 

• Opportunities to exercise at the Knowles Center
• Nature outings at Willow River State Park
• Gender-specific yoga
• Movies

The aforementioned methods of care can be part of a participant’s transformative experience at Burkwood. Upon admission to our center, our staff works closely with those entrusted into our care to determine which types of treatment will be best suited to meet the needs of the men and women who choose to heal with us. If a participant’s needs change during the therapeutic process, his or her treatment plan can also be revised to reflect new goals for recovering from an addiction and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The care supplied by Burkwood is highly individualized, and we strive to make the process of recovery one that is unique to each participant. This level of customization extends to our discharge planning process, as we take into account each participant’s needs and goals when determining which aftercare services are best suited to continue the progress made during treatment.

If you or your loved one would like to learn more about our types of treatment and how our interventions can help those looking to recover from addiction achieve their goals, do not hesitate to contact us. At Burkwood, we are here for you, and we can guide you towards the sober and healthy life you deserve to be living.