Throughout the years, research has shown that trauma is often a major contributor to the development of addiction and mental health conditions.
Unresolved trauma can both cause and complicate these issues, becoming deeply intertwined with an individual’s perception of self. As addiction or mental health conditions worsen due to trauma, an individual may also be put in positions where he or she is vulnerable to more traumatic experiences.
To unravel addiction and effectively treat mental health issues, trauma must be resolved in a compassionate therapeutic setting. Once trauma has been dealt with, a person can begin to fully heal and thrive again.
Why Does Trauma Resolution Matter in Addiction Treatment?
Trauma is very common among those who struggle with addictive behaviors:
One 2010 study reveals that trauma exposure in early childhood is known to “significantly increase the risk for a number of psychiatric disorders in adulthood.” It also states that nearly 60% of young adults with PTSD develop substance use issues as a result.
In another case, a study of 343 women in treatment for addiction and PTSD says that 90% of those women reported at least one type of childhood abuse or neglect.
Finally, a 2013 study found that among those with substance use disorders, 96.5% had experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.
Many other studies have shown the connection between trauma and addiction, and research has also shed light on how treating trauma can improve a person’s ability to heal from addiction and mental health conditions.
We focus on trauma-informed care at BeWell Recovery because we believe that healing trauma is essential to untangling the complex thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to a person’s addiction and mental health struggles. We utilize a multidisciplinary team and a long-term recovery approach consisting of individual and group therapy sessions, collaborative care, and family system practices. We also practice an individualized form of trauma care, safely incorporating evidence-based practices that support an individual in his or her journey to wholeness and sustainable recovery.
Trauma-informed care is commonly misconstrued as disclosing of traumatic storylines or even re-triggering the psyche. That is not a model we utilize at BeWell. We’re committed to finding safe pathways into the psyche so that trauma can be resolved and individuals can find holistic healing. We recognize that a variety of compassionate approaches and proven therapeutic methods may be needed to resolve trauma, and this process may not fully take place within the traditional window of a 30-day stay at a residential treatment center. Because of this, we’re committed to long-term, collaborative care that is supportive of the individual’s unique recovery process.
We also customize our treatment plans to help clients meet their own recovery goals. Clients meet with an individual therapist for up to five sessions a week, and these sessions may consist of an in-depth look into the psyche and nightmares or skills-based development of urge and craving management techniques.
Our programs are designed for collaborative care that does not end when the client discharges. This model of care includes comprehensive goal setting and planning for when the client leaves treatment. We believe the journey only begins in residential treatment and should be supported after residential treatment ends.
The BeWell team develops a safe environment for open communication between providers, family, and other resources of care in our clients’ lives while they are under our care and well after they discharge.
Throughout an individual’s treatment, our team model healthy boundaries and provide integrative, wrap-around care. Our evidence-based practices and multiple therapeutic relationships help to break the bonds of trauma that are harmful to ongoing wellness.
Learning to Enjoy Life Again in Recovery
Our experiences of trauma don’t often go away on their own. Instead, they color our view of the world and can even expand and cause greater harm to us as time passes. With support, guidance, safety, and therapeutic approaches, those who have been trapped by trauma can break free and begin to enjoy life again.
In addition to being key to initial recovery, trauma resolution is also instrumental in preventing relapse. With a greater understanding of the experiences that have shaped their lives, a changed perspective, and a new path to follow, individuals can actively avoid relapse triggers. They can overcome obstacles with new coping skills and rely on a healthy support system. They can rediscover their authentic selves, have healthy relationships, and learn to love their lives without feeling compelled to use substances.
Help for Trauma and Addiction at BeWell Network
BeWell Network is a family of evidence-based treatment centers. We help individuals suffering from addiction find the path to recovery, offering customized treatment experiences for the restoration of the mind, body, and spirit. If you or a loved one is seeking therapy for trauma and addiction, please call (866) 317-8395 or get in touch with our team today. We can assess your situation and recommend treatment options, verifying your benefits for free. We have a no-hassle billing process and are committed to providing treatment designed specially for you.
