Trauma & Addiction Recovery

Co-Occurring Disorders 

Studies have shown that up to two-thirds of people with addiction have experienced significant trauma at some point in their lives. The link between trauma and addiction is even stronger when the trauma occurs in childhood, while the brain is still developing.

As you better understand the dynamic relationships among mental health, life experiences, genetics/epigenetics, and addiction, you become better equipped to overcome the challenges you may face. Integrative therapy can also address any other possible co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and bipolar disorder.

Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often overlooked factors in addiction treatment, but the resolution of past trauma can play a major role in successful addiction recovery. While unresolved trauma may often lead to addiction, the good news is that effective and comprehensive treatment is available.

Treating Trauma and Addiction Disorders 

The first step in treating trauma in the context of addiction is to identify it. We can look for signs of trauma responses or PTSD during your initial assessment phase.  

If a trauma response or PTSD is identified, I will work closely with you to develop an individualized plan to integrate trauma and addiction treatment that will address your specific needs and goals.  

The integrative approach to trauma and addiction recovery means treating the whole person. It entails not just working on the physical symptoms, but also the mental, behavioral, and social impacts, with the understanding that they are all interconnected. This approach empowers you to heal and improve all of these aspects of your life. 

Specialized Clinical Approaches for Addiction Recovery

The path forward is rarely a straight line. Rather than following a rigid sequence, treatment responsively adapts to immediate needs. Restoring physical and mental equilibrium takes precedence, gently addressing the immediate urges and patterns that disrupt daily life. By first establishing this secure foundation, the deeper work of reprocessing historical roots can naturally and safely unfold. 

• Specialized EMDR Protocols: Clinical work does not necessarily begin with traumatic memories, as this can be overwhelming early in recovery. Instead, specialized EMDR protocols (like DeTUR and FSAP) target immediate urges, cravings, and the feeling-states associated with the behavior. Desensitizing the allure of the habit establishes the internal stability necessary to safely address deeper roots. Learn more about EMDR.

• Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS identifies the various aspects of the self that fuel addictive and compulsive patterns. Often, these parts act as protectors, utilizing behaviors to create distance from intense emotional pain. Understanding these internal roles makes it possible to develop more adaptive ways to manage the internal experience without relying on harmful habits. Learn more about IFS.

• Motivational Interviewing: Navigating ambivalence is a critical stage of the recovery process. This collaborative, goal-oriented method helps resolve the conflict between the pull of habits and behaviors and core personal values, strengthening internal motivation to sustain meaningful progress. Learn more about Motivational Interviewing.

• Yoga Nidra: Yoga Nidra is a systematic method for deep physiological and mental restoration. It addresses the stress response at a baseline level, retraining the system to exist in a state of conscious rest and safety.  This restorative foundation facilitates a deeper internal receptivity, ensuring that clinical interventions can integrate more effectively and support a sustainable recovery. Learn more about Yoga Nidra.