Trauma is much more common than you might think, and it can affect each person differently. Experiencing a distressing event can make it difficult to cope in everyday life, leading some people to turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the emotional discomfort. Trauma is a leading contributor to addiction, making it essential to understand what trauma is and how it increases the risk of substance abuse. Armed with this information, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from the aftermath of trauma by getting the appropriate treatment.
If a traumatic event has you reaching for substances, you may benefit from dual diagnosis treatment plans. These specialized programs address addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions simultaneously, making them perfect for those struggling with trauma and substance abuse. To learn more about how Promises Brazos Valley’s dual diagnosis treatment works, call 979.426.0086 today.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma refers to the emotional response a person has to a distressing event and is separated into two main categories.
Big “T” Traumas
Big “T” traumas are the extremely disturbing events that one usually thinks of when imagining trauma. Some common examples are:
- Being in a serious car accident
- Being involved in military combat
- Being the victim of a sexual assault
- Losing your home to a natural disaster
- Being abused as a child
Each of these events can have a significant impact on your life, leading to symptoms of a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These symptoms can linger for years without proper treatment, so if you experience trauma, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional for an assessment.
Little “t” Traumas
Although they’re not usually life-threatening, Little “t” traumas can still overwhelm your nervous system and your ability to cope. Some examples of little “t” traumas are:
- Divorce
- Financial problems
- Loss of a pet
- Bullying
- Infidelity
Because little traumas aren’t as drastic as Big “T” traumas, people tend to overlook the event’s effects on their well-being. Regardless of the size of the trauma, you can still experience PTSD; each person responds to trauma in their own way and deserves to receive the support they need to process and heal from it.
How Trauma and Substance Abuse Are Intertwined
What’s it about trauma that makes it one of the top causes of addiction? Trauma can lead to physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, which can manifest shortly after the event but sometimes take years later to appear. This lag can make it especially difficult to tell if your symptoms are related to trauma. Some common trauma symptoms are:
- Hypervigilance or always being on guard to prevent something bad from happening
- Feeling detached from reality
- Having nightmares or flashbacks about the traumatic event
- Feeling fearful or nervous much of the time
- Having chronic physical aches and pains, like stomach aches, headaches, and digestive discomfort
- Avoiding certain people or places that remind you of the event, even if it disrupts your daily life
- Feeling guilty or shameful about the event
- Anxiety or depression
As you can imagine, the symptoms of trauma can make it difficult to go about your day. Constantly worrying that something terrible is about to happen can be exhausting, so some people try to escape the nervousness and bad memories by numbing themselves with drugs or alcohol.
Over time, self-medication can lead to dependence and addiction, which is why it’s so important to talk to a therapist about your symptoms. Getting proper treatment for PTSD through trauma-informed therapies can help prevent the cycle of addiction.
Enroll in a Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program at Promises Brazos Valley
Life can feel out of control when the symptoms of trauma are looming over you. Find relief from the resulting emotional distress and substance abuse by enrolling in dual diagnosis treatment. At Promises Brazos Valley, we emphasize a whole-person approach to healing, so we offer trauma-informed therapies and applicable medications to help you process trauma and move forward toward the happier, healthier lifestyle you deserve. Fill out our online form or call 979.426.0086 to get started.