June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the impact of trauma—and how it often lives beneath the surface of addiction and mental health struggles. At Welwynn, we often work with professionals who’ve learned to suppress, compartmentalize, or rationalize their pain in order to keep going. But that unprocessed trauma can show up in other ways—like alcohol or substance use, chronic anxiety, or emotional numbness.

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. While many associate PTSD with military combat, trauma comes in many forms: childhood abuse, medical emergencies, relationship violence, serious accidents, or even chronic high-stress environments. In fact, many professionals—CEOs, physicians, attorneys, and executives—carry trauma they’ve never fully acknowledged, let alone addressed.

How Trauma and Substance Use Are Connected

When the brain is stuck in survival mode, people may turn to substances for relief—to feel less, to sleep, to escape. Over time, this self-medication can become dependence or addiction. That’s why trauma and addiction often go hand-in-hand.

You might see this play out in symptoms like:

• Insomnia or hypervigilance

• Emotional numbing or disconnection

• Panic attacks or intrusive memories

• Using alcohol or substances to “take the edge off”

• Difficulty trusting others or maintaining relationships

Treating PTSD and Addiction Together

One of the biggest myths in recovery is that you have to treat one thing at a time. But trauma and addiction are intertwined—and both deserve attention in treatment.

At Welwynn, we use trauma-informed care in all of our programs, whether you’re in our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or continuing care. We help clients explore their experiences safely and at their own pace, using therapeutic approaches like:

• CBT and DBT to manage emotional regulation

• EMDR or somatic therapies to process trauma

• Mindfulness and yoga to reconnect with the body

• Peer and family support to rebuild trust and connection

You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone

If you’ve been pushing through, numbing out, or telling yourself “I should be fine,” you’re not alone—and you’re not weak. High-functioning professionals are often praised for their resilience, but true strength is in seeking support when you need it.

This month, we invite you to reflect:
Have I given myself space to heal?
Am I coping, or am I avoiding?

Help starts with a confidential, no-cost screening with our team. We’re here to support you—with discretion, compassion, and respect.