Trauma-informed or trauma-focused therapy identifies and addresses the root causes of addiction and is often the first line of treatment when people enter alcohol or drug rehab. Many people with substance abuse issues also suffer a mental health condition that has often led to them abusing drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the symptoms. One of these underlying mental health conditions is post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Trauma-focused treatment explores the relationship between mental health and addiction and seeks to break the abusive cycle using a comprehensive approach to an individual’s condition.
Why Focus on Trauma?
Programs that focus on traumas experienced by individuals in the past have been shown to have higher success rates than those that don’t. Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, the ultimate aim should always be to identify and remedy the root causes. Trauma is statistically the most common cause of substance abuse, representing around 95% of cases. For these reasons, trauma-focused therapy in drug and alcohol addiction is now commonly available.
The kind of traumatic experiences that can lead to a person developing addictive behavior are violent accidents, military conflict, and sexual abuse or witnessing a horrific event. When a person has experienced something that is difficult to process, they can often find themselves turning to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the symptoms of the deeper mental health condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Individuals who have been traumatized may find it very hard to adjust to normal life after the event. This can leave them unable to perform the most basic life tasks including work or college and losing any sense of enjoyment they previously derived from their lives. Trauma can also lead to other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety caused by the intense feelings of fear created by PTSD.
Get Help for Addiction with Trauma-Focused Treatment at Casa Recovery in Orange County
Once the root causes of addiction have been identified, it is then possible to heal the individual from any associated or connected mental health issues. Casa Recovery offers specialist programs that have been personalized to address the individual patient’s needs that provide a clear path to a progressive recovery. If you or a loved one is in need of alcohol or drug addiction treatment in San Juan Capistrano, CA, contact us in confidence for a consultation today.