Trauma-Informed Care.

Trauma-Informed Care in Addiction Treatment

Stress is part of life. While most people can manage their daily stressors, some stressful events can leave a lasting impact on a person’s mind and body.

Trauma is an emotional response to an intensely stressful event. People with untreated trauma may be more likely to develop substance use disorder. Those with trauma and substance use disorder (SUD) require specialized treatment programs to address both conditions. 

This article will explore trauma-informed addiction treatment programs. You will learn:

• The symptoms of trauma
• The connection between trauma and substance abuse
• What to expect in trauma-informed addiction treatment programs
• Where to find comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment

If you or someone you love struggles with trauma and substance use, you are not alone. Find effective, trauma-informed addiction treatment at Blue Star Recovery. Contact our intake team to learn more about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional and physical response to a frightening or highly stressful event. Traumatic events include single events or prolonged exposure to intensely stressful situations. 

When people experience a single instance of intense stress or prolonged exposure to highly stressful events, they may develop lasting emotional and physical effects. 

Some examples of experiences that may be traumatic include:

• Experiencing childhood neglect or abuse
• Being the victim of a crime or community violence
• Surviving a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, hurricane,
• Serious accidents
• Severe injuries or medical issues
• Living in a war zone
• Experiencing or witnessing interpersonal violence
• The death of a loved one

These and other events may cause changes in the brain and body. These changes may have a lasting impact on a person’s health and well-being.

Where does it come from?

Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Trauma

People who have experienced trauma may not be readily able to identify the source of it. They may live with unexplained symptoms. In other cases, people may have vivid memories and complex feelings about a specific event. 

People who have experienced trauma may live with disruptive symptoms that include: 

• Intrusive memories of the traumatic event
• Avoidance of people, places, or things related to the event
• Changes in their thoughts and beliefs
• Changes in how they feel and react

Here is a deeper look at the long-term symptoms of trauma by type. 

What is the Connection Between Trauma and Substance Abuse?

People who experience trauma may have symptoms that overwhelm their coping skills. Some people turn to drugs or alcohol for relief from the physical and emotional pain of trauma. 

Using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism is a form of self-medication. Self-medicating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or the effects of trauma can lead to physical dependence or substance use disorder. 

People who live with substance use disorder (SUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)require comprehensive trauma and addiction treatment. Mental health and medical professionals may use a trauma-informed approach to providing treatment for co-occurring disorders. 

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach to healthcare and social services that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and prioritizes safety, trust, and empowerment in treatment. Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?” trauma-informed care shifts the focus to “What happened to you?”

This approach is especially important in addiction treatment, mental health care, and services for survivors of abuse, ensuring that individuals receive compassionate and effective support.

Principles of Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment

Many medical and mental health providers implement trauma-informed treatment when working with people with substance abuse and mental health treatment. Here are some of the principles of trauma-informed care.

People typically receive intensive trauma therapy in addiction treatment. This type of therapy can help people to identify and process trauma, allowing people to move forward.

Find Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with substance use disorder or trauma, you are not alone. Reach out to the Blue Star Recovery specialists to learn more about our trauma-informed addiction treatment programs. 

References:

International Journal of Emergency Medicine: Trauma-informed care (TIC) best practices for improving patient care in the emergency department

National Institute of Health (NIH): Understanding the Impact of Trauma

American Psychological Association (APA): Trauma