Being in a serious accident. Suffering from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Being bullied in school. Racism. Being the child of divorced parents. These are just some of the types of trauma that can leave lasting scars on an individual, scars that, if left unhealed, can become major causes of devastating addiction. Trauma and recovery from drug or alcohol abuse are intimately intertwined–many suffering from substance use disorder (SUD) are actually under a dual diagnosis of trauma-related mental health conditions and SUD. As they begin to seek healing, it is vital that they are under the care of practitioners who carefully consider which condition is more impactful and relevant in their dual diagnosis.
Dealing with the combined destructive effects of trauma and drug abuse or alcohol abuse–or any other kind of addiction–is difficult but deeply important. If you or a loved one is interested in exploring the link between trauma and recovery, and ready to take the next steps towards that recovery, read on.
What Is Trauma, and How Does It Affect Us?
“Trauma” is a word used often in contemporary times, sometimes glibly to refer to everything from being denied a date to finding a bug in your food. But what is trauma, really? According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, trauma is an event or ongoing circumstance that results in physical, emotional, or life-threatening harm. It can be classified as acute (a car accident, death of a loved one, sexual assault) or chronic (repeated exposure to harm, such as racism, bullying, or domestic abuse).
Though trauma can occur at any age, it can be clearly seen how childhood trauma affects relationships, decision making, mental health, and yes, addiction in adults. Commonly called ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), examples of traumatic childhood experiences that can have lifelong effects include:
- Divorce
- Death of a loved one
- Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- Neglect
- Natural disasters
- War or other violence
- Mental illness in the home
If any of these experiences seem familiar to you, consider taking an ACEs assessment to gain perspective on what in your childhood might be affecting you negatively today.
ACEs do not, unfortunately, only affect those who experience them directly. Generational trauma occurs when ACEs are passed from generation to generation, often mimicking inherited genetic traits. You may be bearing the scars of a parent or grandparent’s childhood trauma.
Trauma has different effects on everyone, but some common symptoms of childhood trauma in adults include:
- Relationship challenges: you may not connect well with others, or you may form unhealthy attachments with people who aren’t good for you
- Memory loss: because trauma actually affects the brain’s development, and because the brain may intentionally bury or forget a traumatic childhood experience, you may have stretches of your childhood that you cannot remember at all
- Physical symptoms: the heightened stress hormones can cause a variety of physical ailments, from obesity to heart disease to stroke
A Hopeful Word
Don’t take our word for it. Here is what a former patient has to say about the experience:
“My entire life I’ve helped people. When the wheels fell off because it all finally got to me it was the saddest time in my life. You all, every single one of you there from the chefs to the staff changed my life for the better. I owe you all everything which is why SANA is my new mission to help as many more people as I can.” —JF (Previous Patient)
Living with Trauma and Recovery
In an effort to mitigate these symptoms, many people who have suffered childhood trauma develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. This can range from so-called “trauma dumping”– oversharing of intensely personal experiences without considering the listener – to over-indulgence in drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. This can quickly turn into a reliance on the substance of choice, and then the ever-destructive cycle of addiction and trauma begins.
Sadly, the substance that was once looked to as a relief from trauma now becomes a source of it. Co-occurring trauma, or experiencing more than one traumatic event or situation simultaneously, is common with those whose trauma-ridden past has led them into addiction
But it is important to remember that even in the middle of complex trauma and addiction, there is hope. Trauma and recovery do not have to be mutually exclusive; you can find healing for your past, peace in your present, and hope for your future with trauma-informed care. This therapeutic practice maintains a primary goal of safety for the patient, whether that be in group or individual talk therapy, to avoid re-triggering the traumatic memory and building the trust and collaboration necessary for true healing to begin.
Experience Trauma-Informed Care at Sana at Stowe in Vermont
If you are looking for a supportive, safe, beautiful place to begin your road to recovery, please consider Sana at Stowe. Our residential treatment program provides the best luxury services to our patients so that their healing will have the best possible beginning.
We want those thinking about trauma and recovery to be empowered by our trauma-informed approach, one that helps individuals build resilience in their journey through addiction recovery. We understand that experiencing trauma can leave lasting impacts that can contribute to substance use. Addressing these past experiences in a safe and supportive environment, guided by the principles of trauma-informed care, can help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms, manage difficult emotions, and ultimately foster a stronger sense of self and agency. By focusing on strengths and promoting empowerment, trauma-informed recovery helps individuals not just overcome addiction but also build a more resilient and fulfilling life.
Our wellness and holistic services will surround you with everything you need for a successful, long-lasting recovery. To borrow the words of one of our previous patients, you too can “have hope and can see a path forward and an assurance that you can do it.”
So do not hesitate. Contact Sana at Stowe today to begin the journey to a more empowered, resilient life. Give us a call at (802) 553-3836 to head down the road to recovery.
