kathy ireland® Recovery Centers

Trauma

The staff at kathy ireland® Recovery Centers provide holistic and compassionate care to individuals in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Trauma can impact the treatment process. If you have a history of trauma please understand we have policies and procedures to ensure you feel safe and secure during treatment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a history of trauma increases your likelihood of developing:

  • Substance use disorders
  • Mental health disorders
  • Risk-taking behaviors

We understand that past trauma can make it more challenging to trust our team to guide you through the treatment process. All of our locations use psychotherapy, peer support, trauma-informed care, and other methods to create a comfortable and secure environment where you can get the help you need to heal.

Our Trauma-Informed Approach

Trauma can have long-term effects on your daily life. The clinicians at kathy ireland® Recovery Centers Centers use a trauma-informed approach to ensure you feel safe during treatment for substance use disorder. We also respect any cultural and religious traditions that may enhance and improve your treatment experience.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), “trauma can significantly affect how an individual engages in major life areas as well as treatment.” A trauma-informed approach involves recognizing trauma responses and taking steps to decrease adverse effects on treatment. We practice a trauma-informed approach to care by doing the following:

  • Collaborating using open and honest communication
  • Providing trauma education to normalize empathetic care
  • Tailoring treatment plans to accommodate trauma-related needs

The Connection Between Trauma and SUD

The connection between trauma and substance use disorders is complicated and involves multiple factors, including the following:

  • Substance use disorder or substance misuse increases the risk of experiencing a traumatic event
  • Living through a traumatic event increases the risk of developing a substance use or mental health disorder
  • Substance use disorder and trauma-related issues can develop independently

According to Mental Health and Substance Use: Dual Diagnosis, “General population surveys have documented that approximately 75% of individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) have experienced trauma at some point in their lives.”

Trauma and Substance Abuse Treatment
Trauma

Common Trauma-Related Mental Health Disorders

Trauma-related disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occur with substance use disorder. According to Clinical Psychology: A Publication of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association, “over one-third (34.4%) of individuals meeting criteria for PTSD also met criteria for at least one SUD, most commonly alcohol use disorders.” Other common mental health disorders related to trauma and stress include: 

  • Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
  • Adjustment Disorder
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Panic Disorder (PD)
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Risk Factors For Developing SUD

We use therapy and other support services to lower your risk and provide tools to help you cope with any existing symptoms or side effects of trauma, which can increase the risk of relapse. Multiple factors can lead to the development of SUDs and trauma-related disorders, including:

  • Childhood abuse or neglect
  • Domestic violence
  • Family history of mental health or substance use disorders
  • Experiencing a stressful life event like the death of a loved one or a severe injury
  • Experiencing or witnessing violence or assault

Substance use disorders are more likely to occur in individuals who have experienced trauma if they do not have a reliable support system and healthy home environment.

Support
Trauma

Health Effects of Chronic Stress

Significant side effects of trauma include chronic stress, which can considerably impact your general physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For individuals with a history of trauma, everyday events can feel overwhelming. Stress responses caused by trauma can lead to the following:

  • Weight fluctuations
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Migraines, headaches, and body aches
  • Heart disease or stroke
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Insomnia and other sleep issues
  • Difficulty with concentration and memory

Part of the treatment we offer at kathy ireland® Recovery Centers includes life skill development, mindfulness techniques, and essential coping skills to help you manage stress in a healthy, productive way. Some methods you can use to decrease stress during treatment and continuing recovery include:

  • Eating regular and nutritional meals
  • Following a healthy sleep cycle
  • Practicing coping skills, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques
  • Using peer support to increase self-confidence
  • Attending individual, group, or family therapy to increase self-awareness and self-efficacy

How We Can Treat SUDs Involving Trauma

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that is especially useful for treating individuals with a history of trauma. Other individual and group therapies we offer include:

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Aftercare and Long-Term Recovery

The effects of trauma can interfere with recovery and require continued therapy over months or years to manage symptoms. At kathy ireland® Recovery Centers, your case manager will provide referrals and resources to help you continue healing once you complete your treatment program, including:

  • Referrals to doctor offices, therapists, next-step treatment programs, and sober living communities
  • Information about local self-help groups and peer-led advocacy organizations
  • Private, community-based, and federal resources for housing, job placement, and recovery support

At kathy ireland® Recovery Centers, we understand the effect that trauma can have on treatment and long-term sobriety.

We offer a range of treatments, including psychotherapy, medication-assisted treatment, and skill development, to give you the tools you need to successfully navigate recovery after experiencing trauma.

Learn more by calling us today: (603) 619-1132.

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