If you’ve suffered trauma and are struggling with the lingering effects you may have come across trauma-informed care and have asked yourself, what is trauma-informed treatment, you certainly aren’t alone. Trauma-informed care is a relatively modern approach in the addiction treatment space, and it has gained significant recognition for good reason. We’re going to take a close look at just what exactly trauma-informed treatment is, why it’s so important, and how it’s implemented at Casa Recovery.
What Is Trauma?
Before we dive into the specifics of what trauma-informed treatment is, it’s important to understand trauma itself more clearly. Trauma refers to intense emotional responses to distressing events. It can stem from a single traumatic incident, or from ongoing, chronic, or long-lasting situations of stress or abuse. Trauma can have profound effects on an individual’s psyche, and if left unaddressed, it can significantly hinder the individual’s recovery from that trauma.
Trauma-Informed Care Treatment: An Overview
Trauma-informed treatment takes the understanding of what trauma is at its core and applies it to therapeutic practice. Recognizing that trauma is pervasive in the lives of countless individuals suffering from addiction helps to tailor the treatment to consider and address the past traumas that contribute to a variety of addictive behaviors and thought patterns.
Principles of Trauma-Informed Treatment
If you’re still wondering what trauma-informed treatment is, there are several key principles that make up the practice. These are the principles that guide the therapeutic process, and ensure that it’s responding to the specific needs of the individuals struggling with trauma and addiction.
Safety
Safety is the first principle, and it revolves around creating a safe environment for individuals. This applies not only to physical safety but to emotional safety as well. Safety facilitates trust, which is crucial in a therapeutic relationship.
Trustworthiness and Transparency
Trustworthiness and transparency in operations and decision-making help build trust among individuals who use a therapist. It’s also essential that individuals feel understood and involved in their own recovery journey.
Peer Support
Peer support is an integral component of any successful trauma-informed care treatment. It involves cultivating relationships with individuals who’ve undergone similar experiences, which can foster a sense of understanding and mutual support. Many addictive behaviors create substantial isolation, and knowing there is a population of people going through the same thing can help break that isolation.
Collaboration and Mutuality
This principle underscores the importance of equalizing power differences between staff and clients. Sharing the burden of decision-making and collaboration in planning and implementing treatment can result in far better outcomes.
Empowerment, Voice, and Choice
Finally, trauma-informed treatment seeks to empower individuals, giving them a voice in their own treatment, and offering them choices. This approach reinforces their sense of control, motivation, and self-determination.
The Role of Casa Recovery in Trauma-Informed Treatment
At Casa Recovery, we understand how important it is to have a foundation of trauma-informed treatment in addiction recovery. Our experienced and compassionate team is trained to recognize the signs of trauma and adapt their approach accordingly. We emphasize cultivating a safe, non-judgmental environment that fosters recovery.
From the moment an individual steps into Casa Recovery, our aim is to ensure safety and security, while placing a strong emphasis on peer support and providing many opportunities for shared experiences. Through these shared experiences, our clients can foster a sense of belonging that is critical to recovery success.
Understanding what trauma-informed treatment is essential for anyone involved in addiction and recovery. By integrating the principles of trauma-informed care treatment into our individualized approach, Casa Recovery continues to provide comprehensive, compassionate care for recovering individuals. Reach out today for more information on starting your recovery journey.