Trauma Therapy For Addiction Recovery

 Whether experienced from childhood or adulthood, trauma can bring profound effects to a person’s life. What are the symptoms of those suffering from trauma? What are the ways trauma can be resolved through therapy? Read to learn more.

Trauma comes in many forms. It could be due to neglect and abuse during childhood, or it can be a physical accident, domestic violence, or a lingering exposure to phobia that can alter a person psychologically.

 When left untreated, trauma can be a debilitating condition to someone’s life. It may inhibit them from pursuing daily activities or building healthy relationships. This is why trauma therapy is essential for people who cannot manage their mental health issues on their own.

What are the Causes of Trauma?

According to sources, the most common experiences that sufferers have gone through are:

• Childhood abuse and neglect
• Domestic violence
• Life-threatening accident
• Military combat
• Surviving a violent crime
• Natural disasters
• Death of a loved one

What are the Signs of Trauma?

to understand if you further or a loved one needs trauma therapy, it is important to know what are the psychological signs of trauma. Here are some of the common symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Experiencing Flashbacks

People who suffer the effects of trauma may relive or ruminate the past events in their head. Anything that reminds them of the traumatic experience may cause scary flashbacks, hallucinations, or nightmares. For example, a person that has PTSD might often experience insomnia due to nightmares about the events possibly happening again in their present life.

Avoidance of Places, People and Situations

Due to the flashbacks that sufferers of PTSD experience, they often avoid places, people, and situations even if it is not logical to do so. For example, if a child experienced bullying and physical violence inside a classroom, he may avoid going inside classrooms even if he were to change schools. Adults may also avoid talking to people who look similar to those who were abusive to them.

Easily Agitated

Another sign of PTSD is heightened sensations due to the flashbacks, delusions, and hallucinations. They may be hyper-vigilant and would say remarks which may seem illogical to others. For example, if a person is a survivor of an attempted crime inside her home, she may constantly look out her window, being extra cautious and warning her loved ones about an incoming intruder. These irrational fears become persistent and may prevent the person from living a normal life.

Substance Use Disorder

Another possible sign of PTSD is the use of illicit substances. Often, people who suffer from the effects of trauma need to find ways to cope. Others may try to seek therapy, but self-medication often leads to substance misuse and eventually abuse. People who suffer from PTSD may try to relieve themselves by taking excessive alcohol, painkillers, or other drugs to avoid the mental and emotional pain that is caused by the trauma.

 If you or a loved one is experiencing any or most of these signs, it is best to consult your doctor about possible options for trauma therapy. As we go further along, we will understand what trauma therapy is and how the process goes for individuals who are recommended for this treatment.  

What is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy is a set of strategies that are used to help PTSD sufferers cope with the emotional and psychological effects of traumatic events. There are several stages before one undergoes trauma therapy. Firstly, the patient needs to go through an extensive evaluation in order to understand the type and severity of their trauma, and what kinds of treatments are suitable for them.

 The next stage would be the treatment phase, where there are several strategies applied to help patients cope with their condition. This can be done through several strategies such as:

 Drug Detox and Rehabilitation

If a person suffers from both PTSD and substance use disorder, the problem will be initially addressed through a medically-assisted drug detox program and rehabilitation. Our rehab center offers many custom-type services that can help patients recover from substance use disorder as a first step to treating the psychological effects of trauma.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This is a type of talk therapy where individuals will be taught strategies that could help them change self-destructing thought patterns and replace them with useful ones to cope with trauma.

Diet and Dxercise

A part of successful intervention for many in addiction recovery is the incorporation of a healthy lifestyle. When people undergo trauma therapy, they are encouraged to have a nutritious diet that can help boost their mental function. Additionally, they are also provided with a physical activity regimen to follow, in order to reduce levels of anxiety or depression caused by PTSD.

Counseling and Support Groups

Patients who suffer from trauma or substance use disorder may also benefit from having a community who knows how to empathize with them. They can undergo one-on-one counseling, or going to support groups to unload their thoughts and feelings, and also to help and get help from others mutually.

Is Trauma Therapy for Me?

The information presented above about the signs and symptoms of trauma can help you understand if this therapy is suitable for you. It is best to consult your doctor if you think you or a loved one may be undergoing PTSD or substance use disorder due to trauma.

 There are rehabilitation centers such as Mountain Springs Recovery which will be able to assist you when it comes to trauma and substance use disorder problems. Our rehabilitation center consists of competent staff, modern facilities, and custom-fit programs which will help you achieve your physical and mental health goals.

Recovery is Just One Step Away

Do not let addiction and trauma take hold of you or your loved ones life. All it takes is a decision to reach out and you are on your first step to recovery.