Acute stress disorder (ASD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Often resulting from exposure to violence, accidents, or natural disasters, it’s an intense reaction to trauma that can include feelings of horror, helplessness, and physiological stress responses.
Unlike post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is diagnosed when symptoms persist beyond a month, acute stress disorder typically appears within the first month after a traumatic experience. Individuals with ASD may experience a range of symptoms that affect daily life.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder
ASD can severely impair an individual’s ability to function, impacting both mental and physical well-being. Anxiety isn’t just a feeling—it’s a natural “fight or flight” response with real physiological effects. It triggers the release of adrenaline and puts the body and brain on high alert.
Common effects of ASD include:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Faster, shallower breathing
- Heightened alertness, hypervigilance
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Fatigue
- Increased mental illness symptoms
- Sleep problems
- Avoidance of trauma-related stimuli
- Flashbacks
- Dissociation
Over time, chronic stress is a risk factor for long-term health problems like depression, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Stress also tends to increase mental illness symptoms and can contribute to substance abuse issues.
The Impact of Acute Stress Disorder on Addiction
Individuals with ASD may turn to substances like alcohol, opiates, and cocaine to cope with overwhelming stress and anxiety. This can create a cycle in which initial use provides relief, but ongoing use exacerbates stress levels and worsens ASD symptoms. These impact the brain’s stress response, increasing the intensity and deepening the reliance on drugs or alcohol. This combination can also worsen the signs of addiction.
Dual Diagnosis: ASD and Complex Addiction
Dual diagnosis treatment refers to simultaneous acute stress disorder treatment and substance use disorder rehab. Addressing both conditions is crucial, as substance use disorders and ASD often complicate one another.
Acute stress disorder (ASD) contributes strongly to the addiction cycle. When individuals experience ASD, they often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate, seeking immediate relief from overwhelming stress and trauma. Depressants like opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol are commonly used to temporarily relax the central nervous system, reducing anxiety. However, the relief is temporary.
As ASD persists, addiction can quickly develop, trapping individuals in a cycle where drugs or alcohol are needed just to feel “normal.” Rather than addressing the underlying history of trauma through therapy, this cycle amplifies stress and worsens ASD symptoms. Dependence and withdrawal from drugs and alcohol create additional stress, leading to more substance use and perpetuating the cycle.
Using Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Treatment to Heal Stress
At Del Arroyo Recovery Center in Los Angeles, California, we offer integrated, evidence-based treatment specifically designed for individuals facing both acute stress disorder (ASD) and addiction. Our dual diagnosis treatment approach addresses the complex relationship between ASD and substance abuse, providing therapy options that treat them together.
Understanding that mental health symptoms from ASD can drive substance use, we create a safe and supportive environment where clients can begin to heal from both the traumatic event and the addiction. Through tailored, evidence-based mental health treatment practices—such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and holistic therapies—we help clients build healthier coping mechanisms and move toward lasting recovery.
How Does Dual Diagnosis Differ From a PTSD Treatment Program?
A key distinction between acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the timing and nature of symptom onset. ASD occurs immediately following a traumatic event, typically within the first month, whereas PTSD is diagnosed when symptoms persist beyond that period.
Because these are unique mental health disorders, treatment approaches vary as well. For acute stress disorder treatment, therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are often effective, allowing individuals to process the trauma soon after it occurs. In contrast, PTSD treatment may involve more extensive, long-term strategies.
Assessment and Substance Abuse Treatment Program Planning
Inpatient clients at our Los Angeles treatment center start with a medical detox. Staff monitor individuals while they are weaned off of drug use, and they may be given medications to ease withdrawals.
We also perform an initial physical and mental health assessment to determine a baseline and identify any co-occurring conditions. This includes specific evaluations for acute stress disorder (ASD) alongside addiction. The dual assessment helps us create tailored treatment programs that address the unique relationship between ASD and substance use.
Our drug and alcohol addiction specialists then select the most effective evidence-based treatments, which may include:
Our Therapeutic Approach
- Psychotherapy: Professional therapy sessions help address trauma-related symptoms using techniques like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
- Family therapy: Clients and loved ones can work through issues with a professional therapist, and families can learn how to provide healthy support.
- Medication assisted treatment: When needed, medications help manage ASD symptoms like severe anxiety or insomnia.
- Peer support: Regular 12-step addiction program meetings allow clients to discuss their progress and receive social support from peers in drug abuse
A personalized dual diagnosis program ensures that both ASD and drug abuse are addressed, creating a strong foundation for lasting drug and alcohol addiction recovery.
Take the Next Step at Our Southern California Rehab
At our Los Angeles area drug addiction treatment center, our highest goal is long-term addiction recovery success. Addressing both acute stress disorder and substance use in treatment is essential for lasting recovery. Del Arroyo Recovery Center in Los Angeles provides comprehensive, evidence-based care for individuals dealing with addiction and ASD, as well as other issues like mood disorders.
The combination of acute stress disorder and drug addiction can be complex, but our experienced addiction specialists can help. If you or someone you care about is experiencing ASD and substance abuse, contact our Agoura Hills, CA addiction recovery center today to get started with a personalized treatment program.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapists in Agoura Hills, CA
Contact us today to learn more about our Los Angeles-area individualized addiction treatment programs and explore your options.