A person struggling after a traumatic experience needs all the support and understanding they can get. The trauma may make them isolate themselves from family and friends. Fear of repeating the event also keeps them from fully participating in daily activities. Subsequently, they could benefit from trauma informed care.

Their way of coping with symptoms of trauma may include drugs or alcohol. Entering an addiction rehab facility is a start, but it is not enough. Generally, understanding the impact trauma has can lead to a more healing response to treatment.

What Is Trauma Informed Care?

female therapist consoling a crying woman in trauma informed careA history of trauma is common with drug and alcohol addictions. For example, a person may endure a single event or have repeated experiences over an extended period. Trauma informed care is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy to address the impact on a person’s life.

This type of treatment combines knowledge and understanding of the effects trauma has on a person’s life. They may have difficulty dealing with other issues or problems because of a traumatic experience.

Treatment requires tending to the whole person by taking past trauma into account. Furthermore, this approach expands the understanding of why a person uses certain coping mechanisms. Improving knowledge helps in creating an effective treatment plan.

Benefits of Trauma Informed Care for Addiction

Therapy that incorporates a person’s traumatic experience can improve treatment outcomes. Examples of benefits from therapy that focuses on their trauma include:

  • Learning about trauma
  • Decreasing symptoms that cause traumatic stress
  • Reestablishing safety boundaries
  • Identifying triggers of that set off unhealthy behaviors
  • Practicing ways to process their trauma
  • Developing healthy coping skills versus addictive habits

They learn more about what they are going through after the trauma. This type of care teaches them how to address their concerns in healthy ways.

How Trauma Informed Care Works with Addiction Recovery

Delving into what led a person to begin abusing drugs or alcohol is a primary aspect of recovery. Treating addiction through trauma informed care generally starts with assessing the person’s history and symptoms of trauma.

This process is essential to recognize the link between trauma and addiction. Therefore, both require proper treatment that focuses on the role trauma plays. Issues are addressed in a variety of ways such as talk therapy, medication, and holistic care.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Trauma and Addiction

Suffering from trauma and addiction may cause other mental health issues. It is not uncommon for the person to experience anxiety, become depressed or have mood swings. They will need care that addresses all their issues.

Rarely is recovering from trauma or addiction a simple matter. Detoxing is just the beginning before a person can move on with their life. Unpacking the issues of painful memories and consequences of addiction also takes time.

This time is well spent at a dual diagnosis treatment center. A person receives simultaneous treatment for their mental issues and also an addiction.

Of course, the primary goal of addiction treatment is setting the stage for lifelong sobriety. Trauma can distort personal issues and create shame, self-blame and trust issues. Furthermore, addressing these underlying issues during addiction treatment improves their recovery outcomes.

Break the Cycle of Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction is never chosen. It generally occurs as a desperate attempt to cope with a traumatic experience. Pillars Recovery offers a continuum of care that addresses the cross-effects of trauma and addiction.

We stress individualized care that addresses. Our treatment program offers several options for care including:

Using drugs or alcohol to cope with trauma does not make you a bad person. Stop letting it keep you from the life you deserve. Contact our addiction treatment center at 866.782.0247. At last, we can help you heal the pain and start on a firm path to recovery.