Trauma is more common than you may think. Most people experience a traumatic event at some time in their lives, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Trauma, left untreated, can significantly hurt your physical and mental well-being. Not to mention, many people may turn to drugs or alcohol to help relieve their trauma, which can inevitably raise their risk of developing a drug addiction. In this article, you’ll learn more about trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy for adults, and how it can be used to treat those struggling with addiction.
At East Coast Recovery, we are a leading recovery center in Massachusetts that provides a comprehensive range of addiction treatment and mental health support. We understand that each patient’s road to recovery is uniquely different. That’s why we offer a range of addiction treatment options so you can receive one-of-a-kind care tailored toward your unique recovery needs. Ready to begin your road to recovery? Contact us today!
What is Trauma-Informed CBT?
Before understanding how trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy for adults can help with recovering from drug addiction, it’s first important to know what this technique is. Trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach that uses CBT techniques to help patients identify, address, and heal from their trauma. Oftentimes, trauma sufferers suppress or ignore their trauma, which can lead them to cope with their trauma through abusing drugs or alcohol.
Trauma informed cognitive behavioral therapy for adults provides a safe space for patients to identify trauma they may have suppressed. It also gives them space to work through and heal from trauma in their past that may be negatively impacting their thought patterns and behavior. For example, an individual who grew up in an abusive household may have resorted to abusing drugs or alcohol in their adulthood as a means to cope with the trauma they experienced as a child. Trauma-informed CBT looks to make the patient aware of their trauma and heal so they can move forward with their life.
How Can Trauma-Informed CBT Help with Addiction Recovery
Patients struggling with co-occurring disorders, like trauma and a substance use disorder, need to seek treatment to effectively treat both conditions. Otherwise, failure to treat your addiction, but not your trauma can increase your risk of relapse. Below are ways trauma-informed CBT can help support your recovery journey.
- Identify and Heal the Source of Trauma
First, trauma-informed CBT gives you a safe space for you to identify, address, and heal the source of your trauma. Many trauma sufferers oftentimes ignore or suppress their trauma, and thus resort to unhealthy outlets to manage their trauma symptoms (ie. abusing drugs and alcohol). This treatment gives you the opportunity to safely identify and work with a therapist to heal your trauma.
- Manage Emotions and Find Healthy Ways to Relieve Stress
When you struggle with untreated trauma, this can inevitably bring about significant stress and anxiety in your life. Depending on the type of trauma, this can make you feel on edge or even prevent you from going to certain places or experiences out of fear of your past. Trauma-informed CBT helps manage these negative emotions and restructure negative thinking patterns so you can effectively relieve your stress and anxiety.
- Create a Safe Space to Address Trauma and Addiction SimultaneouslyÂ
As mentioned above, many trauma sufferers may turn to drugs and alcohol to relieve their trauma symptoms. Addressing and healing your trauma during trauma-informed CBT allows patients not only the chance to address and heal their trauma but also reduces their risk of abusing drugs or alcohol. This is especially true if you were turning to drugs to help relieve unresolved trauma from your past.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about trauma informed cognitive behavioral therapy for adults and how this treatment can be used to help those struggling with drug addiction. If you are struggling with unresolved trauma, you should never ignore, hide, or feel ashamed about your trauma. We offer a safe space for you to address your trauma so you can heal and overcome your addiction.
At East Coast Recovery Center, our experienced team of addiction specialists is here to help you every step of the way along your road to recovery. No more suffering in silence with your condition. Whether you are struggling with a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments so you can receive the right care to lead a healthier, happier quality of life. Ready to start your recovery journey? Contact us today!
