Sometimes used blithely as a joke, the word “trauma” has become so deeply embedded in our daily parlance that it has begun to lose some of its intensity. We talk about being traumatized by the weather, by a wrongly-prepared coffee, by a friend’s unkindness. But what really is trauma? Why is it so serious? And why does there seem to be a link between trauma and drug abuse?
Can we discover how to heal from trauma in a way that will have lasting effects? This could potentially be the most important discovery in this journey.
What Is Trauma?
The American Psychological Association defines trauma as “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, death of a loved one, war, and more.” It is important to note that types of trauma include acute trauma (such as the events listed above) and chronic trauma. Chronic trauma may be repeated exposure to a traumatic environment or set of events, such as racism, domestic violence, or poverty.
Many people who have undergone these horrible situations suffer from co-occurring trauma, or more than one traumatic experience at once. This can lead to a complex set of symptoms, including:
- Upsetting dreams or memories
- Feeling detached from others
- Inability to concentrate or make decisions
- Being easily startled or jumpy
- Avoiding people, places, or things related to the traumatic event or situation
- Stomach upset
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia and feeling tired
- Sweating
- Severe headache when recalling the event
- Numbness – inability to experience joy or love
- Depression
- Irritability and mood swings
- Getting easily agitated
- Inability to trust others
One of the most difficult effects of unhealed emotional trauma is substance abuse. In an effort to relieve the above symptoms, in seeking how to heal from trauma, many people turn to the numbing effects of drugs or alcohol.
The Effects of Childhood Trauma on Adults
Traumatic events and situations can happen to anyone at any time. Unfortunately, some of the most devastating examples are childhood trauma. If you are seeking how to heal from childhood trauma, you are not alone. Some statistics indicate that one in seven children in the United States experience abuse or neglect every year. Up to two thirds of children in some surveys report experiencing at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) before age 13.
If you are wondering how to contextualize your own childhood, consider taking an ACEs assessment to gain perspective on events from your past. Understanding the past can shed light on the present, from issues surrounding substance abuse to how childhood trauma affects relationships for adults.
Sometimes, children are affected indirectly by trauma their immediate or even distant ancestors have experienced. This phenomenon, called generational trauma, occurs frequently in populations with a history of experiencing traumatic events, such as Native Americans in the United States. In order to discover how to heal from trauma, people who suffer from generational trauma must address this specific wound.
It can be difficult to determine if you or a loved one are still suffering from a childhood experience, but some symptoms of childhood trauma in adults include:
- Relationship challenges–sufferers of childhood trauma may develop unhealthy attachments or avoid close relationships
- Emotional dysregulation–adults who have experienced childhood trauma are more prone to anxiety and depression
- Memory loss–whole chunks of time may disappear from memory as the brain works to repress the traumatic event
- Physical symptoms–childhood trauma can manifest in adulthood as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or even cancer
- Substance abuse disorder–the effects of childhood trauma can lead some people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol
Healing from Emotional Trauma and Substance Abuse
In looking at how to heal from emotional trauma, we must acknowledge the whole person–the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of past experiences. True healing from trauma, and true recovery from addiction, are best accomplished under trauma informed care.
Far from uncontrollable trauma dumping – the oversharing of personal experiences without awareness of the listener’s boundaries or comfort level – trauma-informed care takes place with mental health professionals who are trained to create safe, trusting environments. Trauma can be recalled, explored, and addressed carefully, without retraumatizing the patient. An awareness of triggering situations or words helps create a secure atmosphere in which the patient is able to face their trauma so they can begin healing from it.
Once trauma–often the root cause of addiction–is exposed and addressed, true recovery from unwanted behaviors and patterns can start.
Begin Your Journey at Sana at Stowe in Vermont
If you or a loved one are ready to begin the hard work of healing from trauma and addiction, consider a stay at Sana at Stowe in beautiful rural Vermont. Our evidence based treatment programs offer a variety of holistic services in a luxurious setting.
We at Sana understand the profound impact of emotional trauma and provide a hopeful roadmap for how to heal from trauma within the context of addiction recovery. We acknowledge that emotional wounds can be deeply ingrained and often contribute to substance use as a way to cope with difficult feelings and experiences. Our trauma-informed approach prioritizes creating a sense of safety, building trust, and empowering individuals to reclaim their emotional well-being as they navigate their recovery journey. Our aim is to offer guidance and hope, knowing that healing from emotional trauma is a vital step towards lasting sobriety and a more fulfilling life.
Experience the Peace you Deserve with Sana
As one of our former patients put it, “From the calls before admission, to the family meetings, to following up with us afterwards, we really feel cared for and incredibly supported.”
Additionally, Sana at Stowe offers medically-supervised detox and accepts insurance through in-network providers. So do not hesitate. Reach out to us today to start down the road to lasting recovery. Call Sana at (802) 553-3836 to speak with one of our licensed professionals. They are waiting for you to make the first steps to freedom.
