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Trauma and Addiction Concurrent Treatment

At Freedom from Addiction, we approach treatment through trauma-informed care. We work with patients to understand the reasoning behind their addiction, and to find the root cause. Alcohol and drugs are symptoms of trauma. To help our patients best, we take a step back and look at trauma through emotional-based recovery programs, one-on-one therapy sessions, and medical detoxification.

Understanding Trauma and Addiction

Trauma is a cause of addiction. Many patients struggle with addiction because of childhood trauma. Addiction became a coping mechanism to navigate overwhelming emotions or situations. Trauma and addiction are connected.

70% of adolescents in this survey who received substance abuse treatment had a history of trauma
Up to 59% of young adults who experience trauma will develop substance abuse problems
Where trauma and substance abuse are concerned, women who experienced sexual abuse were more likely to use cocaine and marijuana. Men who experienced physical abuse were more likely to use cocaine and heroin, but women were more likely to use cocaine and marijuana. Men who experienced emotional abuse were more likely to use heroin, but women were more likely to use cocaine.
Over one million Canadians feel their drug use has harmed their lives

Symptoms of Trauma

Trauma can manifest in a variety of emotional, physical, and psychological ways. Here are common symptoms individuals may experience after traumatic events:

Anxiety
Flashbacks
Difficulty managing emotions
Agitation or irritability
Low self-esteem
Eating disorders
Difficulty concentrating
Avoidance of or obsession with the traumatic event
Problems connecting with others
Problems with intimacy and social relationships

This isn’t a complete list. Patients who have suffered childhood trauma or traumatic events might exhibit other symptoms as coping mechanisms or responses. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of trauma and substance abuse to help those around you.

The Connection Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction

Childhood trauma and addiction are directly related. When a person experiences childhood trauma, their brain must adapt to cope with the negative stimuli. The brain grows new neurons or changes existing ones to help the person function, despite an event that changes their perception of the world. This brain capability is called plasticity, which is how childhood events stay with a person and affect them well into adulthood.

The brain has learned and changed based on an event and begins to send different messages to the body in response, hence why one traumatic event can change a person entirely. Childhood trauma and addiction are connected because the structure of the brain changes in ways that affect cognition and behaviour.

The brain now has higher levels of cortisol (stress hormones), which affect normal brain development. We know it’s critical to address trauma in our patients so the brain can relearn healthy development.

The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care in Addiction Recovery

We believe in focusing on the solution, not the problem. This means we’re not simply helping patients detox, we’re also exploring the trauma through evidence-based mental health treatment to determine the cause of their substance abuse problems, which can allow for better recovery.

If trauma remains unresolved, the brain still feels the need to cope. Due to the traumatic experiences and how they reshaped the brain, it won’t cope in healthy ways. Trauma-informed care addresses the impact of trauma on a patient’s life, including the increased risk of addiction.

Trauma-informed care is a safer method of addiction recovery. It creates a space to safely explore and discuss triggers and sensitivities to reduce the likelihood of re-traumatization. This method addresses the root cause of the problem, instead of only the visible symptoms. Patients are more likely to recover if they understand the “why.”

A trauma-informed care approach also empowers the patient, giving them the ability to participate in the healing process through collaboration, one-on-one therapy sessions, and more. We pay attention to how physical, emotional, and mental states are all connected. We can’t adjust physical health without healing mental and emotional states.

Most importantly, trauma-informed care reduces the chances of re-traumatization or addiction in the future. Our patients learn how to resolve their trauma so it doesn’t lead them to substance abuse again.

Our Comprehensive Concurrent Treatment Programs

People struggling with substance abuse usually struggle with other mental health problems. At Freedom from Addiction, our concurrent treatments include the following listed below.

Medical Detox

Patients dealing with substance abuse participate in our medical detox service. Medical professionals manage dangerous withdrawal symptoms as individuals undergo substance abuse treatment. They’ll receive tailored care and medication support to alleviate discomfort and ensure a safer, more comfortable path to healing.

Drug Addiction Treatment

We provide support and guidance for patients to enter drug addiction treatment. We help with the following substances:

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Patients suffering from trauma and substance abuse receive a personalized alcohol addiction program, where experienced experts help guide them through a recovery journey to support long-term sobriety. Our team will help our patients through difficult withdrawal symptoms with continuous monitoring and professional support.

Mental Health Treatment

We offer an extensive range of programs designed to help address mental health issues, improve coping mechanisms, and allow clients to rationally deal with negative thinking without turning to drugs or alcohol. We use a combination of modalities for each patient as everyone recovers differently: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), solutions-focused therapy, psychotherapy, narrative therapy, and more. There’s a blend of both individual and group therapies:

Long-Term Recovery Support

We don’t expect addiction and trauma recovery to be quick. That’s why we offer long-term recovery support for lasting resources and tools our patients can access. Through addiction and trauma, some patients lose the ability to do daily, fundamental tasks. In these cases, patients can participate in the Life Skills Education program to become self-sufficient and independent again.

To further assist patients in their recovery journey, we provide Relapse Prevention education. This helps patients understand how and why relapse happens, and how to avoid it in the future. When familiar behaviours and patterns arise, Relapse Prevention education can help.

After a patient has completed an addiction treatment program with us, they can still lean on Continuing Care for support. We equip patients with the tools they need and offer care that goes behind the in-patient period. Continuing Care is vital in long-term success.

Receive Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Treatment at Freedom from Addiction

For the best chances of recovery and relapse prevention, we focus on reasons people have resorted to temporary relief or self-medication, not only the fact that they have. Patients will have immediate access to treatment; their recovery journey can begin today. Reach out for non-judgmental, professional care to begin the road to sobriety.

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