Trauma and addiction are two things that can greatly impact an individual’s mental health. Healing from these two conditions is difficult, but treatment can help. Treatment is often necessary to effectively recover from these conditions. Those who are struggling with trauma and addiction can rest in the knowledge that they are not alone and there are ways to heal.
Trauma and Addiction
Dealing with the dual diagnosis of trauma and addiction can be challenging. It can often feel like there isn’t any hope and life won’t improve. However, this isn’t the case. Working to overcome both trauma and addiction can be hard; however, recovery is well worth the time and effort.
One important thing to note is that there are many different types of trauma and addiction. Additionally, there are many different methods of healing from both. There isn’t one simple answer as to how to recover from either trauma or addiction. Individuals must find what works for them and utilize the treatment options they find to be beneficial.
Trauma and addiction can both impact the brain, so it makes sense that they are deeply interconnected. One of the complications of trauma and addiction is that it’s not always clear which symptoms are manifesting from which problem. Mood swings, erratic behavior, fear, and avoidance are all things that could be symptoms of both conditions. Similarly, both problems can be causes and effects of the other, making the two a vicious circle.
Childhood Trauma
Experiencing trauma during childhood can greatly impact an individual’s likelihood of developing an addiction during adulthood. Events that take place during the early developmental years can affect people long after they occur. If those events are traumatic, an individual may turn to substances as a way of coping.
Those struggling with childhood trauma that still affects them might consider reaching out to a professional to discuss treatment options. At Avalon Malibu, we’re currently accepting new clients.
Substance Use as a Cope
As previously mentioned, attempts to cope are a large reason why individuals with trauma often develop an addiction. Learning healthy coping mechanisms is a great step toward overcoming addiction and decreasing substance dependency. Working with a mental health professional on building healthy coping skills for emotional distress and trauma can reduce the risk of future relapse.
Struggling with both trauma and addiction can be challenging and feel isolating. If you need support from a mental health team, the Avalon Malibu staff is here. We can share more information about the services we offer, healing from addiction, and trauma-informed treatment options. At Avalon Malibu, we prioritize mental health and understand just how complex trauma and addiction can be. We have years of experience helping clients overcome addiction, so you can rest assured that we provide high-quality care. You can reach us at (844) 857-5992.Â
