Despite many people not knowing so, there is an undeniable link between trauma and addiction. Traumatic experiences can completely shake an individual’s sense of self as well as their understanding of the world around them. Further, the effects of trauma can be long-lasting. When trauma is left untreated, it can impair an individual’s well-being, making them more vulnerable to the development of mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs).
An Introduction to Trauma
It is not uncommon for people to think that trauma only affects war soldiers or others that have survived active combat. While this misconception is understandable, it paints an unhealthy and inaccurate view of trauma. The truth is that trauma can affect anyone and everyone. Professional treatment is often required to treat trauma and its long-lasting effects. Learning about what trauma is and the lasting consequences it can have on an individual’s well-being is often the first step in healing.
On the one hand, many individuals may know that they have endured a life-threatening event or circumstance but have never identified the event as traumatic. Once a person can identify that they have experienced trauma, they will be able to connect potentially traumatic events to any emotional or behavioural issues they may be experiencing and, ultimately, begin to heal from them.
On the other hand, there are a plethora of individuals that regularly engage in substance use without knowing why they are unmotivated or unable to achieve lasting sobriety. These individuals may lack the knowledge that addiction often results from unresolved trauma. In this case, professional treatment can help individuals address and overcome their trauma and its long-term consequences to enable lasting sobriety and healing.
As mentioned previously, trauma affects everyone. Therefore, understanding trauma and the effects that it can have on an individual’s brain, body, and overall being is necessary.
What Is Trauma?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma as an event or circumstance that causes physical, emotional, and/or life-threatening harm. Further, the event or circumstance causes lasting, adverse effects on an individual’s:
- Mental health
- Physical health
- Emotional health
- Social well-being
- Spiritual well-being
Examples of Trauma
It can be helpful to become familiar with different types of traumatic events to better understand what situations may contribute to trauma. While trauma can undoubtedly occur from a single event, it can also occur from multiple events that happen over time.
Some examples of traumatic events include:
- Neglect
- Physical, verbal, psychological, or sexual abuse
- Natural disasters
- Community school violence
- Witnessing or experiencing interpersonal violence
- Refugee and war experiences
- Military family-related stressors, such as deployment or loss
- The sudden death of a loved one
- Hospitalization
- Being diagnosed with a chronic illness
- Bullying
- Experiencing spiritual or religious abuse
It is important to understand that these examples only scratch the surface of events that can be categorized as traumatic. Still, these examples are some of the most common experiences of trauma. Those that have experienced any of these types of traumatic events may experience long-lasting consequences as a result. Oftentimes, however, individuals are not aware that their past experiences of trauma are contributing to their current symptoms of substance use, stress, or other mental health condition.
Childhood Trauma
Another type of trauma that is often kept in the shadows is childhood trauma. Childhood trauma, also known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), are traumatic events that occur during adolescence. Individuals are uniquely affected by childhood trauma because adolescence is one of the most vulnerable developmental periods of life.
The Role of a Nurturing Home Environment
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “The early years of a child’s life are very important for his or her health and development.” Parents play a vital role in the life of a developing child. When a child is raised in a nurturing environment, they learn how to identify and communicate their needs appropriately. Further, the child can safely explore new ways of creativity and pleasure with the guidance provided by their caregiver.
The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
In contrast, when a child is raised in a chaotic or otherwise traumatic environment, they may experience delayed, slowed, or impaired development. ACEs can interfere with a child’s nervous system, causing them to live with symptoms of fear or worry at extremely young ages. Further, these experiences can lead to learning problems, chronic health problems, and an increased risk of legal problems as the child grows older as a result of untreated trauma.
It is vital to recognize that the effects of trauma are long-lasting. An article from Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America explains, “Childhood traumas, particularly those that are interpersonal, intentional, and chronic are associated with greater rates of PTSD, PTSS, depression and anxiety, antisocial behavio[u]rs and greater risk for alcohol and substance use disorders.” This is because trauma directly affects developmental processes, including brain development.
The Short-Term Effects of Trauma
One of the most important things to understand about trauma – both childhood trauma and beyond – is that it produces subjective effects. This means that every person will experience, react, and respond to trauma differently.
Immediate Reactions
A publication by SAMHSA titled “Understanding the Impact of Trauma” will serve as the basis for understanding the subjective effects of trauma. The publication first explains that immediate reactions to trauma vary depending on several factors, including:
- How the event was perceived
- The accessibility of natural supports and healers
- Their coping and life skills
- The responses of the larger community
Further, it provides examples of initial reactions that are common when an individual has experienced trauma. Initial reactions include:
- Exhaustion
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Numbness
- Dissociation
- Physical arousal
- Agitation
- Sadness
These reactions are normal and often resolve themselves with time and through the aid of peer support. Many individuals who experience trauma are highly resilient and have a variety of coping tools at their disposal to effectively recover from it and its effects.
Delayed Reactions
Unfortunately, there is also the possibility of experiencing delayed responses to trauma. Delayed responses often occur when trauma is severe and/or when an individual experiences a lack of social support. The publication highlights the following examples of delayed responses to trauma:
- Persistent fatigue
- Sleep disorders
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Depression
- Avoidance of emotions
- Fear of recurrence
- Uncomfortable physical sensations
When the immediate and short-term effects of trauma are not properly resolved, they can develop into various long-term effects and consequences.
The Long-Term Effects of Trauma
There are a plethora of long-term effects that may surface as a result of trauma.
Emotional Dysregulation
First, when trauma is left unresolved, it can likely lead to emotional dysregulation. Individuals who survive trauma may experience difficulties with emotional regulation, especially when attempting to navigate feelings of anxiety, sadness, guilt, shame, and more.
Additionally, survivors of trauma are vulnerable to traumatic stress. The aforementioned publication by SAMHSA explains, “Traumatic stress tends to evoke two emotional extremes: feeling either too much (overwhelmed) or too little (numb) emotion.” Numbing is characterized by detachment of thoughts, behaviours, and memories.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that may develop in individuals with unresolved trauma. This condition is marked by a dysregulated nervous system, specifically the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. Those with PTSD will continue to feel frightened, stressed, and anxious, even when there is no threat present.
Other Mental Health Disorders
Leaving trauma and associated symptoms of emotional dysregulation untreated can increase an individual’s risk of developing various mental health disorders in addition to PTSD. Some common mental health disorders that often result from untreated trauma include:
- Depression
- Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders
- Personality disorders
- Mood disorders
- SUD
Physical Symptoms
In addition to producing psychological symptoms, unresolved trauma can also produce long-term physical symptoms. Trauma is a known risk factor for chronic health conditions. The publication by SAMHSA highlights the following physical disorders and symptoms that may result from unresolved trauma:
- Somatic complaints
- Sleep disturbances
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Cardiovascular problems
- Neurological problems
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Respiratory problems
- Dermatological disorders
- Urological problems
Self-Medicating Trauma
Another consequence of unresolved trauma is the potential development of destructive behaviours through self-medicating practices. Self-medicating practices attempt to deal with the long-lasting physical and emotional pain that lingers from unresolved trauma. Oftentimes, people do not realize that they are using self-medicating practices until they are in treatment to treat addiction and other self-destructive behaviours.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Use Disorders
The most common way people self-medicate trauma and its effects are through the use of alcohol and other drugs. An extreme amount of pleasure can derive from substance use, leaving many to believe that it can help resolve their pain. However, the use of alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate can present a wide range of consequences and concerns.
First, using substances to self-medicate does not fix the underlying issue. Instead, it worsens the existing problem. The pleasure and relief that may be experienced from substance use are only temporary. When the effects of alcohol and drug use fade, the individual is still left with the lingering effects of their trauma. Additionally, the individual will likely also experience increased tolerance and associated withdrawal symptoms, increasing their risk of addiction and SUD.
Clinical cases of self-medicating are not uncommon. Professional treatment is required to overcome the effects of substance abuse and SUD. In treatment, individuals must also work to overcome their trauma to ensure lasting sobriety and recovery.
Self-Destructive Behaviors
Another way that people self-medicate trauma is through self-destructive behaviours and behavioural addictions. Self-destructive behaviours are any behaviours that pose potential harm to the individual engaging in them.
Some examples of self-destructive behaviour include:
- Self-harm and self-injury
- Suicidal ideation
- Impulsive and/or risk-taking behaviours, such as having unprotected sex
- Violent behaviours
- Binge eating or restricting eating
- Self-defeating mindsets
Behavioural Addictions
Additionally, the development of behavioural addictions is also common. Behavioural addictions are any habits that change into an obligation. Any behaviour has the potential to develop into a behavioural addiction.
Some common examples of behavioural addictions that individuals may adopt in an attempt to self-medicate trauma include:
- Gambling addiction
- Sex addiction
- Shopping addiction
- Digital addictions
- Food-related addictions
Treatment for behavioural addictions is often similar to treatment for substance abuse and SUD. Individualized treatment approaches are often the most effective. Rather than treating a person’s diagnosis, individualized treatment programmes are designed and tailored to fit every individual’s unique needs and recovery goals.
Treating Trauma and Addiction With PCP
Taking the step to participate in a treatment programme for untreated trauma or substance abuse is something to be celebrated. It is important to understand that everyone seeks treatment and recovery at their own pace. However, family and friends can enable quicker treatment entry and engagement for a loved one by helping them recognize their symptoms and their potential for having unresolved trauma.
Rehab Today by PCP – Perry Clayman Project offers a plethora of private rehab clinics and treatment services across the UK for individuals struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. No matter the severity of SUD or trauma, individuals can feel comfortable knowing that they are in the right hands for securing lasting treatment and recovery with PCP.
Undergoing Detox
The first step for many individuals seeking recovery from addiction and co-occurring trauma is detoxification (detox). Detox is a medically-assisted process of ridding remnants of alcohol and other drugs from the body. This process must be carried out before treatment can begin because the effects of these substances can continue to linger, causing uncontrollable cravings and withdrawal.
Contrary to what individuals may believe, there are a number of reasons why professional detox is recommended when compared to at-home detox. First, professional detox can provide necessary medical assistance to reduce any potential complications from happening during the withdrawal process. Withdrawing from moderate to severe cases of substance use can produce life-threatening complications without professional aid. This is why it is crucial to utilize detox services.
Detox can also provide psychological assistance for individuals, which can be incredibly important for enabling treatment participation. Treatment staff can curate an individualized treatment plan for clients during detox so they can have a better understanding of what to expect as they transition into long-term substance use treatment.
At PCP, we offer both alcohol and drug detox programmes for clients. While programmes vary in duration based on the unique needs of a client, detoxification typically takes 10-14 days. Medications are often prescribed to reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and to ensure that clients remain as comfortable as possible throughout the process.
Entering a Long-Term Treatment Programme
Following detox, an individual can enter a long-term treatment programme to overcome addiction and any underlying causes, such as unresolved trauma. One of the most effective types of treatment programmes is residential programs. These programmes require clients to live at the treatment facility while they receive professional care.
Residential treatment programmes are highly intensive and structured, providing 1-2-1 counselling each week. Clients will be encouraged to talk with treatment professionals about their mental health and underlying mental health problems that may have contributed to their addiction. In the case of trauma, professionals may use a variety of approaches to ensure that clients do not get re-traumatized during treatment.
As mentioned previously, individualized treatment is often used to ensure lasting healing. With individualized treatment, professionals can create a treatment plan that is unique to the client. A variety of different treatment interventions may be included in a client’s treatment plan and may adjust and change over time. Additionally, the duration of a program will depend on the client’s needs and treatment progress.
Secondary Rehab Programme
PCP offers a 12-week programme of extended rehab for clients after the completion of a primary alcohol or drug rehab programme. During this 12-week program, clients will work through each of the Twelve Steps. This programme will provide clients with the firm foundations for their continued recovery, further protecting them against repeated substance use. One important benefit of this programme is that it offers transitional opportunities to ease clients back into the outside world.
Some examples of treatments used in our secondary programme include:
- Equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP)
- Eye-movement desensitisation and reprogramming (EMDR)
- Visits back home for gentle reintegration
- Yoga therapy
- Gym access
- Life skills development
- Education, training, and voluntary work
- 1-2-1 counselling
Trauma and addiction do not have to rule anyone’s life. With professional treatment, individuals can experience relief from their current substance abuse and the unresolved traumas of their past.
Trauma can have a long-lasting impact on your physical, emotional, and social well-being. Despite many people not knowing so, unresolved trauma can inform substance abuse and substance use disorder. Recovery from addiction often requires individuals to address and overcome past trauma to enable lasting sobriety. The Perry Clayman Project (PCP) understands the complications that recovery from addiction and underlying trauma can pose. Fortunately, we offer a number of rehab clinics across the UK for individuals seeking recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or behavioural addictions as a result of past trauma, treatment can set you on a path of lasting recovery. To learn more, call us today at 08000 380 480.