June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to better understand how trauma and PTSD can affect sleep, stress, relationships, safety, and recovery.
For people living with opioid use disorder, PTSD Awareness Month can also be a chance to see how trauma and recovery may connect. Trauma symptoms can affect sleep, mood, decision-making, cravings, and the ability to keep up with daily routines. When opioid use disorder (OUD) and trauma symptoms overlap, support should address more than the opioid use itself.
Why PTSD Awareness Month Matters for Opioid Use Disorder
PTSD can develop after a traumatic event. Symptoms can include nightmares, feeling on guard, avoiding reminders, anger, guilt, numbness, or trouble sleeping.
A person may need professional support if symptoms last more than one month and affect daily life, work, school, relationships, or health (NIMH, 2024; SAMHSA, 2025).
For people with OUD, trauma symptoms can make recovery feel harder because stress, triggers, and cravings may overlap.
What Trauma-Informed OUD Care Looks Like
Trauma-informed care means the care team understands that past experiences can shape how someone responds to stress, routines, authority, medical visits, and counseling.
In OUD treatment, this may include:
- Clear steps so you know what to expect
- Respectful communication without judgment
- Medication options that help reduce cravings and withdrawal
- Counseling that builds coping skills over time
- Support with transportation, housing, work, healthcare, or family needs
- A steady outpatient structure that supports daily responsibilities
How Mat Can Support Stability During Periods of Stress
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uses FDA-approved medication alongside counseling and support services to treat OUD.
MAT can support people by helping to:
- Reduce withdrawal symptoms
- Reduce cravings
- Create a more stable daily routine
- Make it easier to attend counseling and appointments
- Support long-term recovery planning
The 2023 VA/DoD PTSD guideline includes treatment of PTSD with co-occurring conditions as a major area of guidance, which reinforces the need to look at mental health and substance use concerns together (VA/DoD, 2023).
What to Ask During PTSD Awareness Month
You do not need a diagnosis before asking for help. PTSD Awareness Month can be a good time for you or a loved one to notice patterns and ask some practical questions about symptoms, treatment, and care.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before calling a provider or treatment program, write down:
- What symptoms have been hardest lately?
- Are sleep, anger, fear, or numbness affecting daily life?
- Do certain places, people, dates, or memories trigger cravings?
- Are you using opioids to cope with stress or emotional pain?
- Have you had withdrawal symptoms, concerns about returning to opioid use, or safety worries?
- What would make the first appointment feel more manageable?
Questions to Ask a Treatment Program
When you reach out, think about asking:
- Do you offer methadone, buprenorphine, or both?
- What happens at the first appointment?
- How long should I plan to be there?
- Is counseling part of treatment?
- Can you help with transportation, housing, employment, or healthcare referrals?
- Do you accept Medicaid, Medicare, commercial insurance, VA coverage, or self-pay?
At BAART Programs, your first appointment may include intake paperwork, a medical assessment, counseling, and dosing. Initial visits may take around 2 to 3 hours.
When to Reach Out for Support
Consider reaching out if trauma symptoms are affecting your sleep, recovery, relationships, work, or sense of safety.
You may also want support if:
- Cravings increase after stress or conflict
- You are worried about going through withdrawals
- You have returned to opioid use after a trigger
If you are in immediate danger or may hurt yourself or someone else, call or text 988 right away.
How BAART Programs Can Help
BAART Programs provides care that is compassionate, structured, and respectful. For someone dealing with co-occurring trauma symptoms and OUD, that combination can help support long-term progress and stability.
To get started, contact us today, or find your nearest location.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense. (2023). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/cpg_ptsd_management.asp
- National Center for PTSD. (2025). Help Raise PTSD Awareness. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/awareness/index.asp
