Key Takeaway:
Every June, the nation pauses to recognize PTSD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining a light on one of the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed mental health conditions in America. Post-traumatic stress disorder does not discriminate. It touches veterans, survivors of violence, first responders, accident survivors, and everyday people who have lived through moments that left invisible marks. If you or someone you love is carrying that kind of weight, you are not alone, and help is closer than you think.
What Is PTSD and How Common Is It?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Symptoms can include recurring flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, and difficulty connecting with the people around you. According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 7 to 8 out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives, and an estimated 13 million Americans are living with it in any given year. Despite how widespread it is, PTSD is still widely undertreated, often because of stigma or a lack of awareness about what effective care looks like.
In 2014, the federal government designated the entire month of June as PTSD Awareness Month, building on the recognition of June 27 as National PTSD Awareness Day. The goal is simple: spread the message that PTSD is real, PTSD is common, and PTSD treatment works.
The Link Between Trauma and Addiction
For many people living with PTSD, substances become a way to cope with what feels unmanageable. Alcohol, opioids, and other drugs can temporarily quiet the noise of trauma, making it harder to recognize the underlying wound that needs to heal. Research consistently shows that unresolved trauma is one of the most significant risk factors for developing a substance use disorder. This connection is exactly why treating both conditions together, rather than separately, produces the best outcomes.
At Crest View Recovery Center in Asheville, NC, we understand this cycle deeply. PTSD Awareness Month is so important and our approach begins with the belief that addiction is rarely a standalone condition. It is most often a response to pain that has not yet found a healthier path.
Trauma-Informed Care at Crest View Recovery Center
Crest View Recovery Center is a Joint Commission-accredited addiction and dual diagnosis treatment center nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Our team of licensed therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists is trained in trauma-informed care, meaning every aspect of your treatment plan is designed with your history in mind.
We offer a comprehensive range of evidence-based therapies that 23 want to emphasize for PTSD Awareness Month that address trauma and addiction at the same time:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps clients identify and reframe negative thought patterns tied to trauma and addiction
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Builds skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness
- Individual and Group Therapy: Space to heal in both one-on-one and community settings
- Holistic Therapies: Including yoga, meditation, acupuncture, nutrition therapy, and art therapy
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Integrated care that addresses PTSD and substance use together
Our reality-based therapy model is what sets Crest View apart. Rather than removing clients from the world, we prepare them for it, building the life skills and coping strategies needed to sustain long-term recovery once treatment ends.
A Setting Designed for Healing
There is something powerful about where you heal. Crest View Recovery Center is located in Asheville, NC, surrounded by the beauty and calm of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This environment is not accidental. Nature has long been recognized as a healing force, and our wilderness therapy and outdoor experiential programs bring that force directly into the treatment experience. For those living with PTSD, having a safe, peaceful, and structured space to begin recovery can make all the difference.
Our modern, apartment-style housing is gender-specific, comfortable, and designed to feel like a home rather than an institution. Clients can even bring their pets, a small but meaningful detail that helps many people feel grounded during a vulnerable time.
Who We Serve
Crest View Recovery Center provides care for adults across all backgrounds, including:
- Veterans and active-duty military members living with combat-related PTSD and substance use
- Survivors of sexual violence, physical assault, or childhood trauma
- First responders managing occupational trauma
- LGBTQ+ individuals seeking affirming, inclusive care
- Young adults and older adults navigating co-occurring disorders
Our programs span the full continuum of care, including Day Treatment (SACOT), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), standard outpatient programming, and extended aftercare planning. No matter where you are in your journey, there is a level of support available to meet you there.
This PTSD Awareness Month, Choose to Reach Out
PTSD Awareness Month is a reminder that healing is not just possible; it is within reach. The research is clear: evidence-based treatment leads to meaningful symptom improvement for the majority of people who receive it. You do not have to white-knuckle your way through trauma alone, and you do not have to keep using substances just to get through the day.
At Crest View Recovery Center, we stand for healing and hope. Our compassionate team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to help you take the first step.
Start your recovery journey this PTSD Awareness Month: crestviewrecoverycenter.com/start-your-recovery
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