Many individuals who experience a traumatic event (such as a car crash or loss of a loved one), or a series of traumatic experiences (such as an ongoing abusive childhood), never receive the help they need to process their trauma. The recollections of their experiences fester in their memory, never fully healing. Traumatic memories can store themselves both in the body (causing physical reactions) and in the mind (causing emotional wounds, shifts in beliefs and behavioral patterns). These stored traumatic memories can negatively impact a person’s well-being in a myriad of ways — their emotional stability, ability to form meaningful relationships, sense of self, and physical health  — for their entire lifetime, especially if the trauma and its effects go unaddressed .

In this article we explore what trauma is, and the relationship between trauma and addiction. At The Plymouth House we offer a comprehensive and highly individualized program of dual diagnosis addiction treatment. This means that in addition to effectively treating substance abuse and dependence we treat all underlying mental illnesses and address unresolved traumas. To learn more about the relationship between trauma and alcoholism, or to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment program, reach out to us today.

About Trauma

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines trauma as, “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster.” Not everyone who experiences a potentially traumatic event will be deeply emotionally impacted, but many individuals are.

The APA continues, “Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives.”

The APA distinguishes three primary types of trauma.

Types of Trauma:

Acute Trauma – This type of trauma stems from experiencing one significant event. For example, a person might develop acute trauma after he or she is raped or assaulted, or after living through a potentially life-threatening car accident.

Complex Trauma – This type of trauma is the result of a person experiencing numerous traumatic events — usually each different in nature. For example, someone suffering from complex trauma might have been sexually abused as a child and entered into a physically abusive relationship in adulthood.

Chronic Trauma – This type of trauma results from a person being exposed to a traumatic event over and over again. For example, a person might develop chronic trauma after serving in the military for several years, or after undergoing repetitive physical, psychological, emotional or sexual abuse during childhood. Bullying also frequently leads to the development of chronic trauma.

Examples of Trauma

Trauma can be instigated by a number of differing experiences and events. For example, a person might develop trauma after experiencing:

• Abuse during childhood
• Bullying
• Living through a natural disaster
• Living through a significant accident
• Active combat
• The loss of a loved one
• Domestic violence and abuse
• Sexual assault or rape
• Witnessing an act of violence

Risk Factors That Exacerbate Trauma:

• The presence of any underlying mental illnesses like anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder
• Whether or not the person in question has previously been exposed to other traumatic events
• What type of event the person was exposed to
• Whether or not the person has any experience handling his or her emotions in a healthy and productive way (for example, the person in question might have sought individual therapy in the past and worked on developing healthy coping mechanisms)

Symptoms of Trauma:

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Mood swings, typically characterized by irritability and aggression
• Persistent fear
• Feelings of guilt and shame
• Emotional numbness
• Anxiety and depression
• Emotional outbursts
• Socially withdrawing, spending more time alone and less time with loved ones
• Experiencing flashbacks, during which a person relives the traumatic event
• Persistent nightmares
• Insomnia and other sleep-related issues
• Chronic fatigue
• An increased heart rate and increased blood pressure, especially during a flashback
• Hypervigilance, meaning a person feels hyper alert and aware of his or her surroundings
• An active avoidance of people, places or things that remind the person of the traumatic event

Unfortunately, only a very small percentage of individuals living with unresolved trauma end up seeking the professional care they need. Rather than reach out for help, many of these individuals turn to chemical substances like alcohol or drugs in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms. While substances might relieve some symptoms temporarily, they ultimately make symptoms worse over time. If you or someone you love has been suffering from unresolved trauma and has been self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, contact the Plymouth House today. We offer a comprehensive program of trauma-informed addiction treatment that has proven successful in helping individuals heal.

About Addiction

Individuals who are suffering from unresolved trauma often turn to chemical substances as a means of self-medicating. It can be somewhat difficult for someone who has been misusing drugs or alcohol to tell whether or not professional treatment is necessary. If you believe you or someone you love might have crossed the line from misuse to addiction, keep an eye out for the following signs and symptoms.

Signs & Symptoms of Addiction:

• You attempt to cut down on the amount of drugs or alcohol you use on a daily basis but find yourself unable to do so for any significant period of time
• You often drink or use more than intended for a longer period of time than intended
• You spend a significant amount of time obtaining, using and recovering from the effects of drugs or alcohol
• You regularly experience intense psychological cravings for drugs or alcohol
• Your performance at work or school has been suffering significantly because of your drinking or drug use
• You continue to drink or use despite the fact you know it is causing a range of serious consequences
• Your interpersonal relationships have been strained because of your drinking or drug use
• You are no longer participating in activities that you once enjoyed
• You are isolating or are spending more time away from family members and close friends
• You often engage in risky behaviors because of your drinking or drug use, which could include driving while intoxicated or going home with random people
• You develop a physical tolerance over time, meaning you need to drink or use more in order to feel the desired effects
• You experience symptoms of withdrawal when use is suddenly stopped

Start Healing Today

At The Plymouth House we use a powerful combination of intense clinical therapy — including individual, group and family therapy — and the 12-Steps to help individuals transform their lives. While at The Plymouth House our guests are paired with both an individual therapist and a 12-Step mentor. Our guests address their addictions on every level — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. If you would like to learn more about our treatment process, please reach out to us at any time. Our Treatment Advisors are available 24/7 to lend an empathetic ear, answer your questions and help you or your loved one get on the road to recovery.