Sometimes people deal with both opioid use disorder (OUD) and post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the same time. When this happens, life can feel confusing, stressful, or overwhelming. The good news: you’re not alone, and help is available.

Symptoms of OUD and PTSD: 

OUD and PTSD share a lot of symptoms. You might:

• Feel anxious or “on edge”
• Have trouble falling or staying asleep
• Feel angry or irritated easily
• Have a hard time focusing on school or tasks
• Feel numb, sad, or shut down
• Avoid people, places, or situations that trigger emotions
• Pull away from friends or activities you used to enjoy
• Have intrusive thoughts, memories, flashbacks, or cravings

If any of this feels familiar, it doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you—it means you’ve been dealing with a lot.

These symptoms can get in the way of how you function or participate in activities. The first step to finding out if you might have PTSD if you are using opioids is to have a medical professional evaluate you.

Learn more about OUD and PTSD, and view a screening tool in the Newsletter.

If you have any questions, call us or search online for a provider.