Trauma shapes the way people perceive the world, relate to others, and experience both physical and mental health. Whether someone faces a single, distressing event or endures prolonged exposure to adversity, trauma can leave deep, lasting imprints on the brain and body. To truly heal, individuals must understand the impact of traumatic events, how it manifests, and why it matters. This knowledge becomes especially crucial in dual diagnosis treatment, where unresolved trauma often intertwines with substance use and mental health disorders.
At Sana at Stowe, a luxury drug rehab facility nestled in the serene landscape of Stowe, Vermont, we understand the profound impact trauma can have and offer specialized treatment approaches designed to address both trauma and addiction in a comprehensive manner.
Trauma: More Than A Singular Event
Although the definition of trauma, according to the APA, is an emotional response to a terrible event, when considering the impact of trauma, it’s important to recognize that trauma isn’t just about experiencing a distressing event; it’s about the way the brain and body respond to that experience. Traumatic experiences can manifest in many forms, including:
- Acute: Results from a single, intense event such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster.
- Chronic: stems from repeated exposure to distressing situations, such as ongoing abuse or domestic violence.
- Complex: arises from multiple traumatic events, often beginning in childhood, which deeply affect emotional development
- Co-occurring Trauma: Trauma that exists alongside other conditions, such as substance use disorder or alcohol and PTSD.
Each type of trauma, including childhood trauma, can lead to long-term changes in behavior, cognition, and relationships, often pushing individuals toward unhealthy coping mechanisms.
The Impact of Trauma on the Brain and Body
To experience trauma fundamentally alters brain function. The amygdala—the brain’s fear center—becomes overactive, creating a constant state of hypervigilance. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation, struggles to maintain control. This imbalance can result in heightened stress, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and impaired impulse control.
How does addiction affect the brain? These neurological changes frequently lead individuals to seek temporary relief through substances. But how does addiction affect the brain? Alcohol and drugs offer short-term escape by dulling emotional pain. However, repeated use alters neurotransmitter levels, reinforces dependency, and perpetuates the trauma-addiction cycle.
The Connection Between Traumatic Experiences and Addiction
Researchers and clinicians widely recognize the connection between experienced trauma and substance use disorders. Individuals often develop maladaptive behaviors as a means of survival, using substances to regulate emotions or block out intrusive memories. At Sana at Stowe, we emphasize addressing both abusive behavior and addiction through integrated care. Our medically supervised alcohol detox ensures a safe and supportive environment for individuals withdrawing from substances while beginning emotional healing.
Understanding Trauma Bonds
Trauma doesn’t only impact individuals internally; it also affects their relationships. A trauma bond forms when someone develops an unhealthy emotional attachments to an abusive or toxic individual. Emotional manipulation, fear, and cycles of control and affection trap people in damaging dynamics.
When asking, “What is a trauma bond?” the answer often lies in recognizing how trauma creates loyalty to those who cause harm. For many victims there is dependence on the abuser and leaving abusive partners is daunting. At Sana at Stowe, we help clients identify these patterns in family members and abusive relationship interactions, and offer the tools needed to break free. Through therapy and support, we guide individuals toward relationships rooted in safety, trust, and mutual respect.
Pathways to Healing: A Holistic Approach at Sana at Stowe
Healing from traumatic memories and signs of trauma bond requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the mind and body. At Sana at Stowe, we offer a luxurious holistic treatment plan that combines evidence-based therapies with integrative wellness practices. Our treatment model for trauma survivors includes:
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
By integrating ACT with Nonviolent Communication techniques, we help patients develop mindfulness and emotional resilience. This approach encourages individuals to accept difficult emotions rather than avoid them, fostering long-term recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
CBT and DBT form the backbone of our skills-based treatment. These evidence-based approaches teach clients to identify unhelpful thoughts, manage emotional reactivity, and build positive coping mechanisms. We emphasize the importance of coping skills for drug addiction, guiding clients toward sustainable behavioral change.
Family Involved Treatment
Recognizing that a trauma bond relationship and addiction affect not just the individual but their entire support system, we incorporate family involved treatment into our recovery programs. Educating and involving loved ones in the healing process helps strengthen relationships and build a supportive network for long-term sobriety.
Complex PTSD Residential Treatment
For an abused person experiencing severe trauma-related symptoms, complex PTSD residential treatment at Sana at Stowe provides an immersive healing environment. Our high staff-to-patient ratio ensures personalized care, fostering a sense of safety and trust essential for recovery.
Expressive and Integrative Therapies
Trauma can reside in the body, making non-verbal modalities essential. We offer expressive therapies such as art, music, and movement to help clients process emotions in creative, embodied ways. Additionally, integrative treatments like acupuncture, mindfulness, and yoga enhance physical balance and nervous system regulation.
Accessible Luxury in a Healing Setting
Sana at Stowe sits amid Vermont’s natural beauty, offering a serene, secluded space ideal for recovery. Clients experience the luxury of high-quality amenities paired with the emotional comfort of personalized, trauma-informed care. Located near the Burlington, Vermont Airport, our facility is easily accessible for individuals across New England and beyond.
Our team partners with in-network insurance providers, including TriCare, to make care more accessible—especially for veterans and their families. We believe everyone deserves access to compassionate, evidence-based treatment and to find healing from the effects of trauma.
Finding the Right Support at Sana at Stowe
For those seeking substance abuse recovery, finding a facility that prioritizes trauma-informed care is essential. Sana at Stowe offers luxurious, evidence-based treatment in a picturesque Vermont setting, providing a retreat-like experience for those on the path to recovery. Conveniently located near Burlington, Vermont Airport, our center is easily accessible for individuals traveling from across New England and beyond.
So, what is trauma and why do trauma bonds occur? By addressing the root causes of addiction and mental health struggles, Sana at Stowe empowers individuals to heal from trauma in a compassionate, luxurious, and supportive environment. If you or a loved one is struggling, know that personalized, comprehensive care is available at Sana at Stowe, where lasting recovery is possible. Call us today at (802) 317-7727.
