Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP, FASAM
When your brain can't let go: Understanding the PTSD-addiction connection
When your brain can't let go: Understanding the PTSD-addiction connection
When your brain can't let go: Understanding the PTSD-addiction connection
Monday 25th August 2025
Explore the link between PTSD and addiction with Dr. Casey Grover as he shares insights on trauma and recovery in this engaging podcast episode.
72 minutes
informative
empathetic
challenging
hopeful
About this podcast
Author:
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
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Episodes:
144 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!PTSD and Addiction: Unraveling the Connection
Episode Overview
- PTSD can drive addiction due to overwhelming emotions.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences predict addiction risk.
- Trauma impacts addiction beyond combat veterans.
- Pharmacogenomic testing aids personalized treatments.
- EMDR therapy offers hope in trauma recovery.
Let's honor the trauma that people have lived through, because developing addiction wasn't on anyone's bingo card.
In this insightful episode of the Addiction Medicine Made Easy podcast, Dr. Casey Grover delves into the complex relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction. With a background in emergency medicine, Dr. Grover provides both personal and clinical perspectives that illuminate the challenges faced by individuals dealing with these intertwined issues. The episode is a joint venture with the Kratom Sobriety Podcast, reflecting on how trauma impacts addiction and the various ways to address it. Dr.
Grover explains that PTSD is not exclusive to combat veterans; it can result from various trauma types, including 'big T' traumas and accumulated 'little t' stressors. These experiences often lead individuals to seek substances like Kratom to manage their symptoms. He shares his own journey with PTSD, stemming from years in emergency medicine, which offers listeners a relatable perspective.
A significant focus is on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale, which reveals how early trauma can increase the risk of addiction later in life. Families experiencing adverse childhood conditions often struggle with maintaining healthy lifestyles, exacerbating the potential for addiction. Dr. Grover touches on pharmacogenomic testing, a cutting-edge approach that tailors medication based on genetic profiles, improving treatment outcomes for those battling addiction.
He also discusses the controversial yet promising EMDR therapy for trauma recovery, emphasizing its potential in helping patients overcome lingering PTSD symptoms. Throughout the episode, Dr. Grover advocates for honoring the lived experiences of trauma survivors and encourages a holistic approach to addiction treatment, combining medical interventions with therapeutic support. His message is one of hope and resilience, reminding healthcare providers and listeners alike that treating addiction is a communal effort, requiring awareness and action.
The episode concludes with recommendations for further reading, including books like 'What Happened to You' by Oprah and 'The Body Keeps the Score,' which offer deeper insights into trauma and recovery. Dr. Grover expresses gratitude to the Montage Health Foundation and Central Coast Overdose Prevention for supporting his mission to educate and empower those affected by addiction.