Trauma and Addiction Therapy & Counselling

INTEGRATIVE TRAUMA & ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

If you are questioning whether some of your habits and pleasures may be problematic, or if you're someone who has done recovery work, may have relapsed, or feels there is more to be addressed, I will work with you exactly where you are. We can collaborate to inspire positive change, and empower you to make your own choices and take actions to restore your well-being, sustain your recovery, and take control of your life.

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

Trauma and 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 addiction, the good news is, effective and comprehensive treatment is available.

WHAT IS ADDICTION?

While any addictive behavior can start as a seemingly harmless and voluntary act, in time it can develop into a compulsive and unstoppable habit. In the beginning, you may do things which minimize emotional and physical pain, or alleviate boredom. As prolonged activity continues, it can develop into active addiction, impacting areas of your life, career and relationships. When the brain begins to signal an intense need to continue these patterns, what once was recreational becomes an urge that controls one’s life.

Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm.

The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on substances like alcohol, tobacco, or prescription drugs.

Some addictions also involve an inability to stop partaking in activities such as eating, working, spending money, undue smartphone or internet use, sex or love addiction. In these circumstances, a person has a process addiction, sometimes referred to as a behavioral addiction.

The American Psychological Association states that it is, due to the fact that addiction involves repetitiveness, high frequency, and excessive use, whether the focus is a substance or a behavior. The same characteristics of a substance addiction – continuing use of the substance despite negative consequences, inability to stop using the substance even if it is desired, and cravings – also apply to a process addiction. Those with process addictions and substance use disorders may wish to stop engaging in the behavior, but they are unable to do so.

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 post-traumatic stress disorder (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, with the understanding that they are all interconnected in the healing process. When this is applied to trauma and addiction recovery, it empowers you to heal and improve all of these aspects of your life.

Research has found that integrative therapies can enhance addiction recovery when combined with traditional addiction treatments and self-help groups. Complementary therapies can provide additional tools to support people in recovery.

Some components of Integrative Trauma & Addiction treatment may include:

• Evidence-based treatments to address PTSD and trauma symptoms

• Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help you make your own life choices

• Specialty groups to foster a felt sense of solace, stability and support

• Trauma-sensitive yoga to experience being present with yourself

• Mindfulness training to learn relaxed focused attention

Whether you feel ready to take a step, or simply want to find out more. I will meet you where you are. You can make things better. We can make things better together.

Find out more

Carole Shepherd, LCSW-R, LMT, RYT, SEP

Carole Shepherd, LCSW-R, LMT, RYT, SEP

Trauma And Addiction Recovery