Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more than a memory problem. It’s a deep, nervous system injury that affects how you think, feel, relate, and cope. Whether your trauma stems from combat, abuse, loss, an accident, or prolonged emotional harm, you deserve care that’s compassionate, evidence-based, and trauma-informed.
At Amity San Diego, we offer clinically integrated PTSD treatment for adults navigating both trauma and co-occurring issues like addiction, anxiety, or depression. Our team is trained in trauma-specific modalities, and we treat PTSD not as a weakness — but as a real, treatable condition that deserves understanding and skillful support.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition that develops in response to a traumatic event or series of events. It can arise immediately after trauma or surface months — even years — later. Many people living with PTSD carry intense emotional pain, hypervigilance, nightmares, shame, and avoidance, often without realizing it’s rooted in unprocessed trauma.
Symptoms may include:
Flashbacks or intrusive memories
Nightmares and disturbed sleep
Avoidance of reminders or people
Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
Anxiety, irritability, or unexplained anger
Trouble concentrating
Difficulty trusting others
PTSD can exist alongside addiction, depression, panic attacks, or chronic physical symptoms — making dual diagnosis PTSD treatment in San Diego critical for long-term healing.
Our Approach to PTSD Treatment
At Amity San Diego, we treat PTSD as part of a clinically integrated PTSD recovery plan. Many of our clients arrive with trauma-related symptoms tied to their substance use — either using substances to numb distress or experiencing worsened trauma due to addiction.
Our trauma-informed care model includes:
Individual therapy using evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, CBT, and DBT
Group therapy to foster connection and reduce isolation
Somatic and mindfulness practices to help regulate the nervous system
Medication management when clinically appropriate
Co-occurring disorder treatment for depression, anxiety, or substance use
We move at your pace — never forcing disclosure or rushing the healing process. Your safety, dignity, and agency are always prioritized.
Dual Diagnosis: When PTSD and Addiction Overlap
Many people with PTSD turn to alcohol or drugs to cope. Over time, that self-medication can lead to dependence — and further disconnect from the root of the pain. That’s why Amity’s dual diagnosis treatment for PTSD in San Diego is so important.
We treat both trauma and substance use disorders together, never isolating one from the other. Our clinicians collaborate across disciplines — psychiatry, therapy, medical care, and wellness — to ensure your recovery addresses every layer of your experience.
The Importance of Treating PTSD and Addiction Together
When someone lives with both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a substance use disorder, healing can’t happen in isolation. These conditions are often deeply connected — trauma fuels substance use, and substance use intensifies trauma symptoms. Trying to treat one without addressing the other often leads to setbacks, relapse, or worsening emotional distress.
That’s why dual diagnosis treatment for PTSD is essential. It creates a unified approach that addresses both the pain of the past and the coping behaviors developed to survive it. Without this kind of integrated care, many individuals find themselves stuck in a loop — trying to manage flashbacks, hypervigilance, or anxiety with substances that ultimately worsen their condition.
At Amity San Diego, we offer a trauma-informed, dual diagnosis model that treats the whole person. Our approach is grounded in empathy and evidence, helping clients break the cycle and begin building a more stable, empowered future.
Key Benefits of Dual Diagnosis PTSD Treatment
1. Trauma-Informed Recovery:
Care is rooted in understanding trauma’s impact on the brain and body — and how it contributes to substance use patterns.
2. Symptom Relief:
Therapeutic tools and medications can ease PTSD symptoms like nightmares, panic, avoidance, or emotional numbness — without relying on substances to cope.
3. Safer Coping Strategies:
Clients learn how to manage distress in healthier ways, including grounding techniques, mindfulness, and emotional regulation skills.
4. Personalized Healing Plans:
Treatment is adapted to each person’s trauma history, triggers, and goals — allowing for progress at a pace that feels safe and sustainable.
5. Reduced Risk of Relapse:
By treating trauma and addiction simultaneously, clients are less likely to fall back into old patterns when symptoms resurface.
6. Stronger Emotional Support:
Integrated care offers access to clinicians and peers who understand the challenges of trauma recovery — creating a space of validation, not judgment.
Dual diagnosis care doesn’t just treat symptoms — it helps people reclaim safety, trust, and self-agency. For those living with PTSD and substance use, this kind of support can be life-changing. With the right help, healing is not only possible — it’s within reach.
Programs That Support PTSD Recovery
Clinically integrated PTSD treatment at Amity San Diego is available within our structured outpatient programs:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) — Full-day clinical care including therapy, trauma support, and wellness activities
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) — Flexible part-time care designed for those reintegrating into work, school, or family life
Alumni and Aftercare Support — Continued engagement and relapse prevention resources after formal treatment ends
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with symptoms for years, we offer a treatment environment that feels safe, personal, and empowering.
Who We Treat
We provide clinically integrated PTSD treatment in San Diego for:
Adults with single-event or complex trauma
Individuals with chronic PTSD and substance use disorders
Veterans and first responders
Survivors of domestic abuse, childhood trauma, or sexual assault
LGBTQ+ individuals seeking trauma-informed, inclusive care
No matter your background or story, you’ll be treated with respect, without judgment — and with the clinical integrity your healing deserves.
You Deserve Relief — And Recovery
PTSD is not your fault. You are not “too much,” “too sensitive,” or “beyond help.” You are carrying pain that needs care — not criticism.
At Amity San Diego, we provide a trauma-informed path to healing that addresses not just symptoms, but root causes. You don’t have to relive your trauma to heal from it — but you do deserve a team that knows how to help you move forward.
Verify Your Insurance
We understand that navigating the financial aspects of treatment can be challenging. Amity San Diego is here to help. Our team works with many insurance providers to make treatment as accessible as possible. Click below to verify your insurance and learn more about your coverage options. Our admissions team will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
