For many people, PTSD and substance use do not exist separately. One feeds the other in a cycle that standard addiction treatment alone rarely breaks. Freeman Recovery Center treats both conditions simultaneously across its full continuum of care, from medically monitored detox and residential treatment at the Burns, TN campus to PHP, IOP, and telehealth-based dual diagnosis programming at the Dickson outpatient facility. If you or someone you love is navigating trauma and addiction at the same time, FRC has same-day admissions available and can walk you through next steps today.
When Trauma Is the Root and Substance Use Is the Response
People who experience post-traumatic stress disorder often describe feeling constantly on edge, unable to sleep, unable to stop replaying what happened to them. Alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other substances can temporarily quiet that noise, and that is exactly why self-medicating trauma is so common. Research consistently indicates that people with PTSD are significantly more likely to develop a substance use disorder than the general population.
The problem with treating only the addiction is that unaddressed trauma continues to drive the behavior. Relapse rates for people with untreated PTSD are higher because the underlying cause remains active. This is what makes integrated dual diagnosis treatment, where the PTSD and the substance use disorder are treated at the same time by the same clinical team within the same structured environment, the recognized standard of care for this population.
Freeman Recovery Center is built around this model. Every level of care at FRC is designed to address co-occurring conditions, not just the substance use on the surface.
Facts and Stats on PTSD and Addiction in Tennessee
In Tennessee, PTSD and addiction frequently occur together, creating complex challenges for individuals and families. About 5.2 million adults in the U.S. experience PTSD yearly, and Knox County alone reported 79 hospital visits for stress-related reactions in 2022.
The Tennessee Co-Occurring Disorders Collaborative highlights that 60% of families in the child welfare system deal with substance use problems, with at least half also dealing with mental illness. This underscores how common co-occurring PTSD and substance addiction are in the state. Fortunately, 205 treatment facilities in Tennessee provide care for clients who have both mental health and substance use disorders. This data shows the critical need for integrated, trauma-informed addiction treatment options to support effective recovery across Tennessee.
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How Freeman Recovery Center Approaches Dual Diagnosis PTSD Treatment
The clinical approach at Freeman Recovery Center starts with one central premise: trauma-informed care cannot be an afterthought. At FRC, trauma-focused modalities are woven into the structure of each level of care, not reserved for a specialized unit that some patients may or may not access.
What that looks like in practice varies depending on where a patient enters the continuum. Some arrive in acute physical distress from withdrawal, and the first priority is safe medical stabilization. Others come directly into residential or outpatient care, where the therapeutic work begins immediately. The path is built around the individual’s clinical needs, not a one-size-fits-all progression.
Trauma-informed therapy is present across all levels, including:
- Trauma-focused individual therapy incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps patients identify the distorted thought patterns that trauma creates and replace them with grounded, accurate interpretations of their experience
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which directly targets the emotional dysregulation and distress intolerance that PTSD and substance use disorders share as common features
- Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client-centered approach that supports patients in exploring their own motivation for change rather than being told what to do
- Individual therapy sessions tailored to each patient’s trauma history and substance use pattern
- Group therapy, where patients processing trauma alongside peers often find the first real reduction in the isolation that PTSD creates
- Family therapy to rebuild communication and trust with loved ones affected by both the trauma and the addiction
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Our Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers for PTSD
You can find 24/7 detoxification and inpatient rehab for co-occurring PTSD and substance abuse at Freeman Recovery Center at 1615 Highway 96, Burns, TN 37029, and you can also access PTSD-related substance abuse treatment through PHPs, IOPs, and outpatient services at 250 State St., Dickson, TN 37055 (open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday), combining flexible scheduling with structured care to help you build resilience and overcome substance misuse; call (615) 645-3677 to learn more about dual-diagnosis treatment options for PTSD and addiction in Tennessee.
Levels of Care for Co-Occurring PTSD and Substance Use Disorder
Freeman Recovery Center’s dual diagnosis PTSD treatment is available across multiple levels of care. The goal is to meet each patient where they are clinically and support them through the continuum as they stabilize.
Medically Monitored Detox
The Burns, TN campus houses FRC’s medical detox program. For patients who have been using alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids to manage PTSD symptoms, withdrawal carries real medical risk. The detox team provides 24/7 clinical supervision throughout the process, with a focus on keeping patients comfortable while substances clear their system safely. Detox alone does not address PTSD. It is the necessary first step that makes the therapeutic work possible.
Residential Treatment
Also located at the Burns campus, residential treatment for dual diagnosis at FRC provides round-the-clock structured care in an environment removed from the triggers and stressors of daily life. For patients with PTSD, that environmental separation is clinically meaningful. Residential programming at FRC includes individual therapy, group sessions, trauma-informed counseling, 12-step and non-12-step tracks, gender-specific group work, and optional participation in the Arise faith-based recovery track for patients who find spiritual grounding helpful in their process.
Program length in residential ranges from short-term stays of 7, 14, 21, or 30 days to longer treatment commitments of 60, 90, or 180 days. The appropriate length is determined by the complexity of each patient’s co-occurring presentation.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
PHP for dual diagnosis at the Dickson outpatient facility delivers intensive daytime clinical programming while patients live off-site, either at home or in one of FRC’s sober living homes in Middle Tennessee. For patients stepping down from residential after a period of acute stabilization, PHP maintains therapeutic intensity while beginning a gradual reintroduction to daily structure. Trauma therapy, group work, and psychiatric support continue at this level.
PHP is also available through Freeman Recovery Online for patients who need telehealth access due to distance, work schedules, or other barriers to in-person care.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
IOP for dual diagnosis at Freeman Recovery Center is designed for patients whose PTSD and substance use disorder are stable enough to manage more independence but who still need structured clinical support several hours per week. Evening IOP schedules are available for patients managing work, parenting, or school obligations alongside treatment. Sober living through FRC is an option for IOP patients who need stable housing to support their recovery during this phase.
Getting Into Treatment: What to Expect from FRC Admissions
The admissions process at Freeman Recovery Center is designed to move quickly. Same-day admissions are available, and the first step is a free, confidential assessment, either by phone at (615) 645-3677 or through the online assessment form.
For patients concerned about cost, FRC accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, TRICARE, and many others. Free insurance verification is available. For those without insurance coverage, sliding-scale payment options are available through Freeman Health Partners.
Why Treating PTSD and Addiction Together Matters for Long-Term Recovery
Treating PTSD and addiction in isolation almost always leaves the cycle intact. Patients who complete substance use treatment without addressing the trauma that drove their use frequently find themselves back in crisis, not because they lack willpower, but because the neurological and psychological impact of unprocessed trauma remains active.
Integrated dual diagnosis treatment disrupts that cycle by treating both conditions as connected, which they are. The goal is not simply getting someone sober. It is helping them understand what happened to them, why their nervous system responded the way it did, and how to build a daily life that does not require substances to tolerate.
More than 50% of the staff at Freeman Recovery Center are personally in recovery. That lived experience shapes how clinicians at FRC engage with patients dealing with trauma, because many of them have navigated similar territory. This is a documented part of how FRC operates and a reason alumni consistently describe feeling understood rather than managed during their time in care.
Take the First Step Toward PTSD and Addiction Recovery in Tennessee
Seeking help for dual diagnosis PTSD and substance abuse is a courageous first move. At Freeman Recovery Center, our compassionate team in Tennessee is ready to walk alongside you. We specialize in dual diagnosis treatment for PTSD, ensuring that both your trauma and your addiction are addressed through evidence-based, personalized care.
This is more than treatment—it’s a path back to yourself. Whether you’re looking for rehab for a loved one or struggling silently on your own, our PTSD dual diagnosis programs are built to support sustainable healing. With insurance-friendly options and dedicated admissions specialists, starting your recovery is easier than you think. Call us today or fill out our secure form to learn more about your coverage and take the first step toward a future free from PTSD and addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions About PTSD and Addiction Treatment at FRC
Can PTSD and addiction be treated at the same time?
Yes, and for most patients with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder, treating them simultaneously is associated with better outcomes than treating one condition first. Integrated dual diagnosis treatment, which is what FRC provides across its continuum, addresses both conditions within the same clinical framework, with therapists and medical staff trained in both.
What therapies are used for PTSD and addiction treatment at Freeman Recovery Center?
FRC incorporates several evidence-based approaches for this population. Trauma-focused individual therapy using CBT helps patients address the cognitive distortions that trauma produces. DBT targets the emotional dysregulation that PTSD and substance use disorders share. Motivational Interviewing supports patient-centered engagement with the recovery process. Individual therapy, group work, family therapy, and peer support complete the clinical picture.
Does Freeman Recovery Center treat PTSD and addiction together?
Yes. FRC’s dual diagnosis programming is built specifically for patients who have both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring psychiatric condition such as PTSD. Treatment is available across all confirmed levels of care, including detox, residential, PHP, IOP, standard outpatient, and telehealth through Freeman Recovery Online.
How long does dual diagnosis treatment for PTSD and addiction take?
Treatment length depends on the clinical complexity of each case. Some patients complete residential treatment in 30 days and continue through PHP and IOP over the following months. Others require 90 or 180 days of residential care before stepping down. PTSD specifically can require extended treatment because trauma processing takes time and should not be rushed. FRC’s admissions team can provide a realistic sense of what a treatment timeline looks like based on a patient’s specific history.
What is the admissions process for dual diagnosis PTSD treatment at Freeman Recovery Center?
The first step is a free, confidential assessment. Call Freeman Recovery Center at (615) 645-3677, email Admissions@freemanrecoverycenter.com, or complete the online form at freemanrecoverycenter.com/free-assessment/. Same-day admissions are available. The admissions team will review your clinical history, insurance coverage, and appropriate level of care before confirming placement.
Integrated Dual Diagnosis Rehab in Tennessee
Freeman Recovery Center treats both addiction and mental health issues with a dual diagnosis approach. Our programs address depression, PTSD, anxiety, trauma, and other co-occurring disorders through inpatient, PHP, and IOP treatment. Explore the resources below for more details on care and costs.
- Residential Dual Diagnosis Programs
- PHP Dual Diagnosis Care
- IOP Outpatient Programs TN
- PTSD & Addiction Recovery
- Anxiety Disorder & Addiction Treatment
- Mood Disorder Dual Diagnosis Rehab
- Depression & Substance Abuse Treatment
- Trauma-Informed Dual Diagnosis Therapy
- Schizophrenia Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- BPD & Addiction Care
- ADHD Dual Diagnosis Services
- Dual Diagnosis Program Costs
PTSD and Addiction Statistics in Tennessee
- The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services reports about 5.2 million adults in the U.S. will experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a given year.
- In Knox County, Tennessee, in 2022, there were 79 hospital visits for stress-related reactions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- According to the Tennessee Co-Occurring Disorders Collaborative, about 60% of families that have children in the child welfare system face substance use problems; at least half of those have a co-occurring mental illness.
- According to SAMHSA, 205 substance use treatment facilities in Tennessee offer treatment for clients with co-occurring mental health diagnoses and substance use disorders.
- Men are more likely than women to experience co-occurring disorders, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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