When you have suffered a traumatic event or set of situations in your life, it is not automatically obvious to those around you. No one else may recognize what you are going through. When your trauma leads to a mental health and addiction issues, suitable treatment will steer you through the process of healing and recovery. Tackling trauma in addiction treatment will help you recognize and address the underlying issues that have led to your behavioral health issues and addiction.
What is Trauma?
You may have experienced a terrible event such as a crash or physical violence. Directly afterwards, you were probably in shock and feeling some denial around the event(s). Trauma is your emotional reaction to these events or situations. You might have erratic emotions, recurrences, and even physical indications like headaches or nausea. While these reactions are normal, many people have struggle to move on with their lives after a traumatic event.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains the key elements involved in trauma:
Event(s) – Events and circumstances may include the actual or extreme threat of physical or psychological harm (i.e. natural disasters, violence, etc.) or severe, life-threatening neglect.
Experience of event (s) – The individual’s experience of these events or conditions helps to define whether it is a traumatic event. A particular event may be felt as traumatic for one individual and not for another.
Effect – The long-lasting harmful effects of the event are a key element of trauma. These harmful effects may happen immediately or may have a postponed reaction. In some circumstances, the person may not realize the association between the traumatic events and the effects.
PTSD is Very Common
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a medical-psychiatric condition that can occur in people who have experienced or observed a traumatic event or who have lived through distressing circumstances. Although PTSD is generally related with military personnel or first responders, anyone can experience the signs after going through a particular trauma.
People with PTSD have strong, distressing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the event has finished. People with PTSD may dodge settings or people that remind them of the traumatic experience, and they may have powerful, adverse responses to something as mundane as a loud noise or a simple touch.
Addressing Trauma in Florida Addiction Treatment
When you have suffered trauma and have PTSD indications and/or substance use issues, confronting trauma in treatment is vital to your overall recovery. Trauma-informed addiction treatment services will combine an understanding of trauma and addiction during the course of Florida addiction treatment.
At Simple Path Recovery, our therapists are trained to recognize the various, complex connections between alcohol and drug use and traumatic events. Moreover, they are aware that survivors often use drugs to cope with the emotional distress that arises from trauma. Our therapists also understand that clients suffering addiction become more susceptible to revictimization through risks associated with addiction-linked behavior.
The best method is to concurrently address trauma and substance abuse together. Helping clients realize the range of possible connections between trauma and substance abuse is a key activity in effective addiction treatment. Individualized treatment must take into respect your record of drug abuse as well as the trauma you experienced that may have contributed to your substance use disorder.
Simple Path Recovery is a beach side, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as an intimate Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.
About the Author
Matthew Koenig is the principal of Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Website Design and SEO, primarily in healthcare and tourism concerns. Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.
