Addiction and trauma often go hand-in-hand. Treating one without the other is often unsuccessful. Understanding the connection between the two is crucial to treat both effectively. Addiction is complex and can be challenging to understand. It’s usually intertwined with other mental health conditions, making it even more complicated. Trauma is a significant factor in addiction. Many people who suffer from addiction have also experienced some sort of trauma in their lives. Treating addiction and trauma can be challenging, but it’s essential to understand the connection between them to treat both effectively.
There are a variety of treatment options available for addiction and trauma. At Texas Recovery Center, we offer patients eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, also known as an EMDR therapy program, as a treatment option for trauma. This program is designed to help patients process and heal from trauma. We also offer a variety of other addiction treatment services, including detoxification, group therapy, and individual counseling. Our goal is to help our patients heal from the inside out. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and trauma, we can help. Call us at 844.230.5931.
The Connection Between Addiction and Trauma
Addiction and trauma are often interrelated. Many people who suffer from addiction have also experienced some type of trauma, whether physical, emotional, or sexual. The trauma can be something that happened to them personally or something they witnessed happen to someone else. Witnessing a traumatic event can be just as traumatizing as experiencing one firsthand.
People who have experienced trauma often turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the pain. They might self-medicate in an attempt to numb the hurt or make the memories go away. Unfortunately, this only leads to more problems down the road. The substances they’re using only act as temporary relief. They don’t actually address the root of the problem. When the effects of the drugs or alcohol wear off, the person is left feeling even worse than before.
This can create a vicious cycle in which the person experiences trauma, turns to substances to cope, feels even worse afterward, turns to substances again to numb the pain, and so on. It can be difficult to break out of this cycle without help. That’s why it’s so important for people struggling with addiction and trauma to get treatment for both issues simultaneously.
Treating Addiction and Trauma
There are a few different approaches that can be effective in treating addiction and trauma simultaneously. As mentioned earlier, EMDR therapy is one of those treatment options. This therapy involves recalling memories of the traumatic event while simultaneously receiving bilateral stimulation, such as by watching a light move back and forth or listening to tones alternating in each ear. The theory is that this will help “unlock” any frozen memories that are causing distress and allow them to be processed in a more healthy way.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another common form of treatment for both addiction and trauma. This therapy helps people identify unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors and replace them with healthier ones. CBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often comorbid with addiction.
At Texas Recovery Center, we offer both EMDR and CBT treatment options for our patients. Reach out to our team to find out what type of treatment option could be suitable for you.
How Treating Addiction and Trauma Is Beneficial
Proper treatment includes treating both addiction and trauma. Treating one without the other can lead to a relapse. Understanding the connection between addiction and trauma is essential to treat both effectively. When you come to Texas Recovery Center for treatment, we will design a personalized treatment plan for you that considers both your addiction and your trauma. We believe treating addiction and trauma at the same time can be beneficial for a few reasons:
- Helps break the cycle of addiction
- Addresses the root cause of the addiction
- Provides relief from the symptoms of trauma
- Helps improve overall mental health and well-being
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and trauma, Texas Recovery Center can help.
Treating Addiction and PTSD with Texas Recovery Center
Know that you’re not alone if you’re battling addiction or trauma. Many people have experienced both things in their lives. There is hope for recovery, but it’s important to get treatment for both issues simultaneously. EMDR and CBT are two promising forms of treatment that can help you heal from your past and live a healthy, happy life moving forward.”
At Texas Recovery Center, we offer EMDR and CBT treatment options for our patients. We understand the connection between addiction and trauma, and we will design a personalized treatment plan for you that considers both your addiction and trauma. Call our team today at 844.230.5931 to learn more about our treatment options for addiction and trauma.
