For a significant number of women, substance addiction goes hand in hand with a personal history of trauma. Women are more likely than men to go through certain kinds of traumatic experiences. In recovery, women may also have different treatment needs. The right trauma treatment program makes it possible for you to overcome trauma and regain your sobriety.
Women’s Recovery supports your treatment goals with a specialized trauma program. This program recognizes the deep connections between trauma and addiction. With our help, you can begin to process and cope with your traumatic experiences. In turn, you’ll find it easier to break your reliance on drugs or alcohol. To learn more ways to overcome past traumas, reach out to a specialist by calling 833.754.0554.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is a natural human reaction that becomes unhealthy over time. In the short term, this reaction helps protect you from the effects of overwhelming experiences such as:
- Sexual or physical assault
- Childhood neglect or abuse
- Major disasters
- Sustained verbal or emotional abuse
- Going through a divorce
- The death of a loved one
- Combat
- Life-threatening illness
- Terror attacks or mass violence
Most of the time, trauma fades as you gradually recover your well-being. However, its effects may also linger and disrupt your ability to function.
Trauma and Addiction
To cope with their situation, some people with lingering trauma turn to drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, this practice can lead to serious substance problems. That reality helps explain the connection between trauma and addiction.
The same connection can also be created in other ways. For example, existing addiction can make you more sensitive to the effects of traumatic events. If that happens, you may not fully overcome trauma without seeking help.
Drug and alcohol abuse can also make you more likely to experience trauma in the first place. That’s true because people with substance problems have increased odds of doing risky or dangerous things. In turn, frequent risky behavior boosts your chances for trauma exposure.
Trauma Treatment
If you are affected by both substance problems and trauma, you need help for both issues. Treating trauma increases your prospects for successful drug and alcohol recovery. Furthermore, treating drug and alcohol problems can improve your ability to overcome trauma. There are multiple ways to address trauma and substance problems at the same time, including:
- Trauma-focused behavior therapy, or TF-CBT: This therapy recognizes that trauma reactions can trigger bouts of substance abuse. It works to help you spot these reactions when they occur. It also enables you to undo harmful trauma reactions.
- Trauma release exercises, or TREs: TREs are combined with therapy or counseling that allows you to discuss your traumatic experiences. The activities make it possible to release the muscle tension associated with trauma and put your body at ease.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR: EMDR is a technique that uses rapid eye movement to help your brain “unlearn” its damaging trauma reactions. The method also enables you to create healthier responses. More effective processing of trauma brings a sense of relief.
Your treatment plan may also include medication or therapy for addiction or specific mental health issues.
Learn More About How You Can Overcome Trauma
Need more information on how to overcome the effects of trauma? Contact Women’s Recovery today. We’ll be happy to explain how the process works. We’ll also explain how we combine trauma treatment and addiction treatment to maximize your recovery. Our gender-specific services will help you break the bonds of trauma and addiction.
Call us at 833.754.0554 to learn more about our high-quality treatment options. You can also reach out to us through our convenient online form. Women’s Recovery is committed to meeting your unique needs.
