The Identifiable Ties Between Trauma and Addiction

June is PTSD Awareness Month, so it’s important to spread awareness about the impacts of trauma. This includes the ties between trauma and addiction, as many people who struggle with substance use disorder have also struggled with trauma. The causes of addiction are many, but one of the most common is a history of trauma. The impacts of trauma can be severe, even sometimes leading to the development of mental health issues like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dealing with the impacts of trauma can be a challenge. So, many people who struggle with experiencing trauma turn towards drugs or alcohol to numb the pain, leading to a cycle of use and the eventual development of addiction.

It can be helpful to understand more about the relationship between trauma and addiction in order for people who struggle with both to learn more about the available resources and treatment that may be helpful to them.

Identifying What Trauma Is

Trauma is an experience an individual may face that can present a number of difficult and debilitating symptoms to a person’s life. Trauma triggers the fight or flight response, which is a defense mechanism to high stress and fear levels, that allows for the release of specific hormones. This can help a person to react in a dangerous situation so they are better suited for survival. However, sometimes, people who have experienced trauma have a long-term reaction to trauma which involves the body’s fight or flight response to react all the time, leading to a number of debilitating side effects. One of which being the neglect of knowing the difference between actual danger and situations or things that aren’t actually dangerous at all.

This is why, often, people who develop PTSD may not be able to move on with their lives – constantly being sucked back into the time period they have experienced a traumatic event. And, living with debilitating symptoms as the result of not being able to move forward from traumatic events.

Experiences of Trauma

There are a number of things that can be classified as traumatic. And, every person may experience trauma differently. So, while some people may be able to experience trauma and eventually move on with their lives, others may experience trauma and eventually develop PTSD. Some examples of traumatic experiences that can lead to PTSD include:

  • living through a natural disaster
  • being the survivor of a vehicular accident
  • surviving childhood abuse
  • sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
  • being diagnosed with a chronic illness
  • experiencing a life-altering injury
  • witnessing or being the victim of a violent crime
  • war combat
  • losing a loved one or loved ones suddenly

Trauma and Addiction

In many cases, the effects of PTSD and living through traumatic events can be debilitating. These symptoms can negatively affect relationships, careers, and social lives. They can also lead to negative feelings of hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and despair. So, many people who develop PTSD may look for an outlet in order to manage these symptoms. This outlet is often the numbing effects of drugs or alcohol. Over time, using addictive substances can lead to dependency and a cycle of addiction.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Delray Center for Recovery

When a person is living with two mental health issues, like PTSD and substance use disorder, this is known as dual diagnosis. It’s important for people living with two or more mental health issues to get help for them simultaneously. This improves the chance of sustainable recovery. Delray Center for Recovery offers dual diagnosis treatment in order to address multiple mental health diagnoses. Find out more about our dual diagnoses program available at our outpatient Delray Center treatment facility on our website.


Trauma Resolution Center in Delray Beach

Suffering a great trauma in your life can be a bad experience for anyone and cause long term damage. If you have experienced this and are looking for trauma resolution center in Delray Beach, The Delray Center for Healing can help. We understand that sometimes these things happen and due to this fact, what we provide is exactly what you are looking for. Emotional trauma is defined as any distressing experience that causes emotional shock and may have long-lasting psychological effects.

A few examples of this include the death of a loved one, being in some kind of major catastrophe, or any kind of wartime military engagement. Trauma resolution is accomplished when the painful memory or event no longer triggers anxious reactions or distorted thoughts. With this left untreated it could eventually lead to suicide which has been the case for some people. This is why seeking out trauma resolution center in Delray Beach is so important. Some of the ways this can be treated is through individual and group therapy. Talking about your trauma is important in treatment because this is something you do not want to keep bottled up inside of you. It helps to share your experience so that you may start the healing process.

For over ten years we have helped people suffering from trauma get back to a normal life and continue on without having to go through the pain and suffering related to what they experienced. If you or a loved one would like more information on trauma resolution center in Delray Beach please give us a call. You don’t have to suffer any longer there is a better way.