Intro to Trauma and Addiction Therapy
Many men and women who struggle with substance abuse and dependence simultaneously suffer from unresolved trauma, also known as co-occurring disorders. There are many different types of trauma, including childhood trauma, community violence, bullying, intimate partner violence, disasters, physical trauma, medical trauma, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, terrorism and violence, and complex trauma. Let’s focus on the relationship between complex trauma and addiction, and we will explore potential treatment options.
What Does Complex Trauma Mean?
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network:
Complex trauma describes both children’s exposure to multiple traumatic events—often of an invasive, interpersonal nature—and the wide-ranging, long-term effects of this exposure. These events are severe and pervasive, such as abuse or profound neglect. They usually occur early in life and can disrupt many aspects of the child’s development and the formation of a sense of self.
Complex trauma typically occurs at the hands of the child’s primary caregiver, which almost inevitably leads to a range of serious issues that occur later on in life. For example, a person who experienced complex trauma during childhood will have a difficult time maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. He or she might struggle with abandonment issues and might find it difficult to genuinely trust anyone. Many children who experience this type of trauma reach for drugs and alcohol during adolescence and young adulthood to cope with lasting symptoms. If you have been suffering from untreated complex trauma and addiction, there is help available.
How to Treat Complex Trauma and Addiction?
When it comes to treating complex trauma and addiction there is some overlap. For example, both treatment for complex trauma and addiction treatment requires intensive therapy. At Agape Treatment Center, we utilize numerous evidence-based therapies as part of our comprehensive trauma therapy dual diagnosis program. We utilize traditional psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Therapy focuses on helping the client identify and address uncomfortable feelings and work through past trauma in a safe and supportive setting.
Clients learn how to process the trauma they experienced and how to cope with symptoms of complex trauma healthily. In some cases, Medication Assisted Treatment also serves as a beneficial tool when it comes to treating complex trauma and addiction. At Agape Treatment Center, we might prescribe antidepressant medication or anti-anxiety medication to a client who is struggling with a psychological issue that is tied to unresolved trauma.
Certain medications might help speed up the recovery process, or allow a respite from psychological symptoms so that lasting healing can occur. We always treat our clients on a highly individualized basis. Because no two traumatic experiences are the same, no two programs of recovery should be identical.
Dual Diagnosis Trauma and Addiction Help
At Agape Treatment Center, we offer comprehensive dual diagnosis recovery services to men and women who have been struggling with addiction and complex trauma. Our program of recovery was carefully designed by a team of dedicated professionals with extensive experience in the fields of mental illness and substance abuse. In addition to providing traditional therapeutic services, we offer trauma-informed care that helps our clients overcome the lasting effects of past traumatic events and go on to lead healthy and substance-free lives.
We understand how difficult it can be to face past abuse – we know that the idea of addressing trauma can seem both intimidating and overwhelming. Rest assured that we are available to walk you through every single step of the process, offering compassionate support whenever necessary. To learn more about our comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment program or about the trauma-informed services we provide, reach out today.
The only thing standing between you and a lifetime of authentic happiness is the fear of the unknown. Trust us when we say that once you give recovery a fighting chance, you will begin to live a life that is beyond your wildest dreams. Just give our confidential helpline a call, day or night.
