Individuals who live through traumatic experiences have a higher risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rehabilitation often requires dual diagnosis treatment using evidence-based methods like trauma therapy. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “Individuals with PTSD and SUD can safely engage in and benefit from trauma-focused, cognitive behavioral psychotherapies for PTSD.” Newport Beach Recovery Center uses a trauma-informed approach and trauma therapy to help clients recover from SUD and co-occurring disorders. Rather than taking a trauma-focused mindset, we like to consider ourselves resiliency-focused.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy focuses on identifying how traumatic events have impacted a person’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In most cases, the therapist will have specialized training that allows them to recognize and address trauma.
Trauma therapy provides clients with the following:
- Emotional stabilization
- Symptom relief
- Skill development
- A safe healing environment
- Effective collaboration
- Resiliency-factor awareness
Trauma therapy is an essential tool used to treat many co-occurring mental health issues. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Individuals who have experienced trauma often have complex medical, behavioral health, and social service needs and, therefore, receive care from an array of providers.” Newport Beach Recovery Center connects clients with local support services to ensure they have all the necessary resources. We can make sure you have access to complimentary treatments as well.
What Are the Benefits of Trauma-Focused Therapy?
Trauma can happen to anyone and includes a wide range of experiences. According to SAMHSA, “Examples of trauma include, but are not limited to:
- Experiencing or observing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse;
- Childhood neglect;
- Having a family member with a mental health or substance use disorder;
- Experiencing or witnessing violence in the community or while serving in the military; and
- Poverty and systemic discrimination”
Trauma therapy can treat individuals struggling with any of these issues. The primary benefits of trauma-informed care include the following:
- Sessions address multiple underlying traumas using a handful of techniques
- Methods used integrate easily into individualized treatment plans
- Therapists trained to address trauma can provide stress reduction
Often, clients feel more comfortable talking to a trauma therapist about underlying issues related to co-occurring mental health disorders. Many people feel more comfortable talking about difficult topics if they know the therapist has special training in that area.
How Does Therapy Affect Co-occurring Disorders?
Most people with SUD have co-occurring disorders that impact their ability to function. Healing from substance abuse takes dedication and motivation. If left untreated, co-occurring conditions can make it difficult to focus on rehabilitation. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses evidence-based methods like trauma therapy to help clients overcome challenges related to mental health. Once you have the tools to manage your symptoms, you can refocus your energy on recovering from SUD.
A few ways co-occurring disorders can affect recovery include:
- More severe and prolonged symptoms
- Difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy social connections
- Overlapping symptoms might make diagnosis more challenging
Early intervention and treatment can help people avoid complications caused by co-occurring disorders. Newport Beach Recovery Center uses comprehensive admissions assessments to determine if there are any active mental health issues. Treatments usually involve a combination of psychotherapies, holistic therapies, and prescription medication.
What Therapeutic Methods Work Best?
Everyone reacts differently to trauma. The treatment options your care team offers will depend on various factors, including the type and severity of your symptoms. However, trauma-focused talk therapy provides the most significant relief for many people. Other therapeutic techniques used to treat SUD and trauma include:
- Exposure therapy (ET)
- Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Biofeedback therapy
Many respond the best to traditional talk therapy like CBT. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “[T]he most effective trauma-related behavioral health treatments are trauma focused CBTs, which are broadly defined to include ET and EMDR.” The care team will often combine these techniques with holistic therapies or prescription medication.
What Are the Lasting Effects of Trauma Therapy?
Recovering from trauma and SUD sometimes requires ongoing therapy and medication. However, many people achieve emotional stability and learn to effectively manage their symptoms. Rehabilitation provides a structured environment that allows you to focus all your attention on healing  Ultimately, you’ll make positive life changes.
Some of the most significant lasting effects of trauma therapy include the following:
- Increased quality of life
- Greater self-confidence and self-efficacy
- Improved communication and social skills
Newport Beach Recovery Center uses evidence-based methods like EMDR and CBT to help clients with trauma achieve sobriety and emotional stability. We offer a smooth transition between levels of care and ongoing recovery. Many clients also benefit from our alumni services that help them maintain sobriety during aftercare. You can successfully overcome the effects of trauma and SUD with the help of trauma therapy and other treatments.
Trauma can cause mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder. The symptoms range from mild to severe. They increase the risk of a person developing SUD. Many people who abuse substances have a history of adult or childhood trauma. Newport Beach Recovery Center offers trauma therapy to address those issues. Our care team encourages every client to attend trauma therapy. The focused treatment can help you process thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and beliefs affected by past events. It’ll also help you learn your resiliency. You can successfully heal from SUD and trauma. Our team will guide you through developing coping skills and other tools to help you heal. To find out more, call us at (888) 850-0363.
