Today, we talk about trauma more and more outside of the therapist’s office. For those in recovery, the relationship between trauma and addiction may become obvious. Family and loved ones, however, may not understand the impact of trauma on drug abuse and other addictions. Trauma therapy is an integral part of addiction recovery and can help people have trauma-informed discussions with loved ones.
If you’re in recovery and need mental health support, call Baltimore Detox Center today. Our programs provide trauma therapy to help people from all walks of life recover. Reach us at [Direct] to learn more about our trauma therapy programs.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma occurs when a person or group of people undergo a life-threatening event. Studies show that trauma lives in the body and post-traumatic stress occurs when the body doesn’t fully process trauma in real-time. When a person is triggered, and their body has not processed trauma, they will feel like their life is in danger. In these cases, something others would consider mild or safe feels life-threatening to the person triggered. Some triggers include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Muscle tension
- Minor injury
- Car accidents
- Viewing a traumatic event in person, on film, or online
- Physical, emotional, and psychological pain
- Memories of a traumatic event
- Places, people, or things associated with a traumatic event
During a traumatic experience, the body releases chemicals like adrenaline. These chemicals help the body fight, flee, or feign dead. This rush of chemicals can help a person stay alive during a life-threatening moment. However, when trauma is triggered, the brain will release these chemicals and send a person into a traumatic episode. For many people, self-medicating with drugs, alcohol, and process addictions is a way to self-soothe traumatic episodes.
Symptoms of Trauma Trigger Response
If you or someone in your life is experiencing trauma triggers, the following may occur:
- Dissociation
- Emotional numbness
- Hyperarousal
- Exhaustion
- Mood Swings
- Anxiety
- Erratic behavior
When a person is triggered, their behavior can shift rapidly. It’s important to remember that trauma and trauma response is not logical. During a traumatic episode, the brain tells the body it is in danger, even if it isn’t. This can be very scary for the person experiencing trauma and those around them. A reputable trauma therapist can help address triggers and give a client exercises to help their body process unresolved trauma.
Trauma and Addiction
Trauma and addiction have a complex relationship. Many addictions stem from unprocessed trauma, but many people may also undergo trauma during substance abuse. Whether or not we consciously remember the traumatic event, the body remembers. This mysterious connection between the body and traumatic events can make it hard to recognize trauma and addiction triggers. This is why psychological support is integral to addiction recovery. When a person can recognize trauma triggers and begin to physically process past trauma, they can fully heal.
Psychologists are still learning about trauma every day. If you or someone in your life experiences trauma triggers, it’s important to remember that we all experience trauma differently. What one person may experience as traumatic, another may not. This can make trauma challenging to treat and understand. It can also make it hard for us to empathize with those experiencing a traumatic trigger. Open conversations about the relationship between trauma and addiction can help someone in recovery and their loved ones better understand their own lives and the lives of those around them.
Find the Trauma Therapist for You at Baltimore Detox Center
Mental health is a key to addiction recovery. People in early recovery may not know their trauma triggers. They may also struggle to understand their own behavior. Unprocessed trauma can be isolating and confusing. I can overwhelm, confuse, and make a person feel like they have no control over their life. Trauma therapy can help. If you or someone in your life needs trauma therapy for addiction recovery, call Baltimore Detox Center. Our comprehensive detox and recovery programs can help you unpack the relationship between trauma and addiction. Call us at [Direct] today to learn more about our programs and get your life back on track.
