Although those suffering with trauma don’t always turn to alcohol, trauma could be a contributing risk factor in developing substance use disorder. Trauma and substance abuse treatment tend to go hand in hand because symptoms associated with trauma can lead to drug or alcohol use, and this frequently develops into an addiction. Seeking treatment for both addiction and trauma can be categorized as a ‘dual diagnosis’, meaning there is a co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness issue that calls for addressing two serious and often confounding problems.
Here at See Purpose, we want to provide you with the help you need to recover from any and all mental health problems, post-traumatic stress disorders, addictions and more.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma can be categorized as an emotional response to a terrible event that may have been physically or emotionally harmful or threatening. There are many different types of trauma that develop in various ways. Some people will develop trauma symptoms immediately after an event they find highly stressful, and some will develop long-term effects following the event. People may respond to traumatic events with emotional outbursts and can experience flashbacks, nightmares, extreme anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
In addition to the emotional reactions to trauma, there are also physical responses that can occur including headaches, digestive symptoms, fatigue, sweating and feeling on edge. This can bring on what’s called ‘hyperarousal,’ where a person is hyper aware of their surroundings making it very difficult to sleep or cope with everyday life. This often causes those suffering from trauma to turn to drugs or alcohol, and more often than not this develops into an addiction.
Are Addiction and Trauma Connected?
There are many different reasons as to why addiction and trauma are commonly interconnected. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 50% of people suffering from drug or alcohol addiction have a ‘dual diagnosis’ in the form of a mental health disorder that is directly related to their substance abuse. This means that nearly half of the people who are suffering from substance use disorder who use alcohol and/or drugs to self-soothe and ‘help’ decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, fear, anger, etc. may be trying to compensate for these emotions that stem from post-traumatic stress.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common co-occurring mental health disorders that develops alongside addiction. According to the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Illnesses Administration, 75% of people in addiction treatment programs have experienced trauma or abuse in their lifetime. It may not be obvious to the person suffering from substance abuse, however once evaluated and assessed at a treatment center, it becomes infinitely clearer to the addict that their addictive behavior stems from experience with trauma. Trauma and substance abuse are so commonly interwoven, and it is important to address both issues when undergoing therapy and treatment. Acknowledging and understanding that there are other mental issues going on in addition to the addiction is key to achieving a long-lasting recovery and maintaining a sober lifestyle.
How to Best Treat Addiction and Trauma
Dual diagnosis patients often respond to treatment differently than those suffering solely with addiction. In most cases, if someone with a personality disorder has an addiction, the personality disorders were present before the addiction even began, and drugs and alcohol served as a way to self-medicate. In order to achieve lasting recovery, it is extremely important that the personality disorder is treated along with the addiction by professionals who specialize in dual diagnosis.
Although related, addiction and trauma should be treated both separately and together. Components of trauma-focused treatment often include: grief or loss counseling, individual or group talk therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), peer support groups, exposure or desensitization therapy, pharmacotherapy, holistic treatments such as mindfulness techniques, relaxation therapy, yoga, meditation and acupuncture, and coping skill development such as emotional regulation and cognitive restructuring.
Treating underlying medical conditions along with an addiction requires a qualified team of medical professionals who have additional training and credentials that qualify them to treat patients under these circumstances. Our team at See Purpose wants to see you succeed and experience life-long sobriety, and in order to do so we stress the importance of treating you correctly the first time around.
Let See Purpose Help You Today
If you are still looking for a way to achieve long-lasting sobriety, we encourage you to reach out to our dedicated team at See Purpose’s drug rehab in Indiana. We are dedicated to helping you on your road to recovery, throughout the recovery process and even after your treatment to provide you with the tools you need to experience a successful long-term recovery. Don’t let addiction or trauma dictate your life any further, and come get help with See Purpose today.
