Trauma Informed Care

Trauma Informed Therapy Programs for Addiction

Not all addiction rehab programs treat all types of addiction or the issues surrounding them. Different demographics and varying situations can all present unique challenges for therapists. Addiction can often stem from trauma, which is why a trauma therapy program can be extremely helpful for those suffering from addiction-related to trauma. Specialty treatment programs can address the specific mental health issues related to trauma and addiction.

Recovery Connection is committed to connecting patients with the resources they need to make an informed decision about addiction treatment. Many times people will prefer a local intensive outpatient program so they can continue with their lives, while others might prefer to get away to a warm, welcoming state like Florida to recover as an inpatient. Recovery Connection can help both find what they need, just give us a call at 866-812-8231.

How Can a Trauma Therapy Program Help Addiction?

Many people suffering from addiction also have a history of trauma. Sometimes it can be a single event, or an ongoing situation over a long period of time, whether current or in the past. Treatment through a trauma therapy program usually begins with assessment of the patient’s history and symptoms of trauma. Since one of the main aspects of treating addiction includes delving into the issues that led individuals there, treatment of trauma goes hand in hand with detox and other medical treatment of addiction.

A high-quality trauma therapy program recognizes the link between addiction and trauma and how they impact each other. Such a program may specialize in treating patients with PTSD, complex trauma and similar issues. Treatment focuses on the role that trauma plays in mental health, addictions and compulsions, and addresses it in a variety of ways, including therapy and counseling.

Trauma Therapy Program With Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Patients suffering from trauma and addiction may also exhibit symptoms of other mental health issues, including:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression

Recovering from addiction is rarely a simple matter of detoxing and then moving on, but rather addressing and treating the mental health issues that are usually at the core of addiction. With dual diagnosis treatment, patients receive treatment for both their addiction and their mental health issues. Since trauma can often severely affect mental health, a dual diagnosis approach is necessary to treat patients with this history.

A trauma therapy program may focus on personal issues such as shame, spirituality, inability to trust, self-blame and other issues. All of these aspects can be affected and distorted by trauma. Since the goal of addiction treatment is to set the stage for a lifelong path of sobriety, many of these underlying issues must be treated along with the disease of addiction.

LGBT Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Because specialty treatment programs for addiction seek to address the unique issues that various demographics and situations face, patients falling into these categories may want to seek these treatments to enhance their chances for recovery. One such category is treatment programs specifically for the LGBT community. The LGBT community tends to have a higher risk for drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health and trauma-related issues. This often stems from regular prejudice and discrimination faced in everyday life.

Some research shows that LGBT patients are more likely to leave treatment if the program doesn’t have a component of LGBT addiction treatment options. Some issues addressed by such a program include identity acceptance, coming out, mental health issues, integration and establishing a support network.