TREATMENT FOR TRAUMA AND RECOVERY
When we see our loved ones suffering from the disease of addiction, trauma often goes unnoticed.
The behaviors of addiction that we see externally are a temporary solution, often masked to relieve the deep psychological and emotional pain felt internally.
For many people struggling with addiction, trauma is a devastating reality.
As we take a look at people who have experienced trauma, we can see that the experience is unique for every individual.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is defined as a distressing emotional response to any terrible, life threatening event. It can result from a single occurrence, a series of events, or even a set of repeated circumstances.
Due to the life threatening nature of trauma, victims may develop deep, physical and emotional disturbances and responses.
The common experiences and responses to trauma leave you or your loved one vulnerable to a variety of issues. Some of these issues are chronic diseases, physical illnesses, mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
The symptoms of trauma vary across a spectrum. They present themselves in the form of emotional dysregulation, numbing, and somatization, also known as the physical reactions to post traumatic stress.
Trauma Causes Challenges in Traditional Treatment
Psychological trauma and addiction treatment should be treated concurrently at centers that have the expertise to build trust and offer a safe environment.
When women suffer from trauma, some lose the sense of connection, meaning and the ability to trust others.
People with trauma also suffer from relationship problems, anxiety, shame, guilt and can have trouble expressing and managing feelings.
As a result, women with trauma have created defense mechanisms that help them cope with symptoms that arise from the mental illness. The defense mechanisms are designed to protect the person and can make it difficult for counselors and programs to treat and intervene with these clients.
When someone with severe trauma stops using alcohol and drugs, they are also stopping the way they manage the emotions and feelings associated with that trauma. Being able to trust others again and manage a bond with a treatment professional can be extremely challenging.
Creating a therapeutic alliance can be threatened with the client’s traumatic experiences, that have caused them to constantly look for ways that they might be harmed.
Traditional drug or alcohol treatment centers are not always equipped to unmask the symptoms of a dual diagnosis. Counselors or a treatment program’s actions or words can be interpreted wrong by clients and harm the therapeutic relationship.
Fullbook’s Treatment Approach to Addiction and Trauma Treatment
Grouping people together with similar struggles can provide more specialized and precise treatment.
At The Fullbrook Center, we are able to address the needs of the group and individuals because they suffer from similar symptoms of trauma and substance abuse.
We work with clients who struggle with trust issues and have defense mechanisms that arise from trauma and recovery work.
We work to build a trusted therapeutic relationship and help our clients to trust the small and comfortable Fullbrook facility.
We focus on creating a safe environment where women can heal from the wounds of trauma and substance abuse, while finding the tools to live a life of excellence beyond sobriety.
Psychological Trauma Treatment for Women
We recognize that every woman that walks through our doors brings with them a unique experience and story that requires a very individualized and tailored treatment plan.
Addressing and treating both the root causes of addiction and trauma become pivotal for successful recovery.
EMDR, Psychodrama, Mindfulness, Trauma Narratives, and Emotion Focused therapy are just a few of the therapeutic frameworks that we choose to work from when treating trauma.
A large majority of trauma work is done in both an individual and group settings. We aim to go above and beyond in creating a treatment environment that provides the safety and security that is needed in order to heal from traumatic events.
No trauma is too big or too small for us to help with.