Why do so many people relapse after rehab?
Sometimes it’s not willpower. Many times the underlying issue was never addressed.
That problem is trauma.
Behind nearly every drug or alcohol problem is past pain. Abuse. Neglect. Violence. Loss. And until that pain is addressed, the cravings will return.
That’s why trauma-informed addiction treatment is so valuable. It looks beyond the substances and asks a much better question…
“What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”
Here is everything you need to know…
What’s inside this guide:
- What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
- The Link Between Trauma And Addiction
- The 6 Principles Of Trauma-Informed Care
- Why Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment Works
- How To Find The Right Program
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care provides treatment with a consistent awareness of the individual’s traumatic experience.
It’s not one therapy. It’s an entire approach. From every staff member to every session and every room being designed to make you feel safe – not judged, not pushed and not shamed.
Standard rehab takes a one-dimensional approach and makes stopping alcohol/drug use the sole focus. Trauma-informed addiction treatment addresses substance abuse as a symptom of the underlying issue.
Think about it:
If someone drinks to blot out being hurt, you can’t take away the drink and expect them to just forget. You’re taking away their coping mechanism.
That’s why many more people opt for a trauma-informed residential rehab in Thailand, which administers trauma therapy in conjunction with addiction recovery. When you live away from home, everyday triggers aren’t around. You can safely address why you turned to addiction in the first place – the root of the problem.
Pretty powerful, right?
The Link Between Trauma And Addiction
Trauma and addiction go hand in hand far more than most people realise.
The statistics don’t lie. In one study conducted in the UK with people receiving inpatient addiction treatment it was reported that 38.5% met PTSD criteria. More than that, 51.9% of them experienced PTSD at some time in their lives.
It’s not only civilians struggling with addiction either. Approximately one-third of veterans who seek treatment for substance abuse suffer from PTSD.
Here’s why it happens:
Trauma alters how the brain responds to stress. You can feel anxious all the time, have nightmares or become emotionally numb. Drugs and alcohol provide immediate relief. And it works… for a while.
But the relief never lasts.
Gradually, you need more and more of it to get the desired effect. Now you have two problems instead of one. This is referred to as self-medicating. Self-medicating is one of the most common ways people become addicted.
The 6 Principles Of Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care isn’t just something that sounds good. It is based on 6 guiding principles established by SAMHSA (US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). All great programs are built around these principles:
- Safety: The individual must feel safe, physically and emotionally, within the building, with staff and in group settings.
- Trust and transparency: Staff communicate what is going on and why. No unexpected changes. No surprises.
- Peer support: Connecting with others who have experienced similar pain can help people feel less isolated.
- Collaborative: You and your therapist make decisions together. It’s not a “take orders” situation.
- Voice and choice: Individuals have a say in how they want to recover. This helps restore the feeling of control trauma can rob someone of.
- Respect for background: Culture, gender, and personal history all affect how someone heals, and good care accounts for that.
Simple? Yes.
Simple to do the right thing? Sometimes. That is what makes a good program GREAT.
Why Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment Works
Here’s what most people don’t realize…
Denying trauma makes addiction treatment less effective. Traditional punitive models can re-traumatize clients. Feeling unsafe, clients disengage — or run away.
Trauma-informed addiction treatment fixes that in a few big ways.
It Gets To The Root Cause
Addiction cannot heal without trauma treatment. It’s like mopping the floor with the faucet on. EMDR, trauma-based CBT and somatic experiences allow individuals to heal from past pain. When the pain subsides, so does the desire to numb it.
It Lowers The Risk Of Relapse
Stress and traumatic memories are two of the largest relapse triggers. Learn healthy ways to manage them and you have actual tools to fall back on after treatment…not just willpower.
It Builds Trust Faster
Feel safe to share. Share the hard work. Human beings. It’s really that simple.
It Treats The Whole Person
Mind. Body. Relationships.
Quality trauma-informed programs address sleep, nutrition, family systems, shame and self-esteem. Recovery is more than stopping the use of a substance. It’s creating a life where you don’t feel you need it.
How To Find The Right Program
Plenty of rehabs say they are “trauma-informed.” But not all of them are.
Before choosing a program, ask these questions:
- Are the therapists trained in trauma therapies like EMDR or CPT?
- Is trauma screened for during the first assessment?
- Will trauma and addiction be treated concurrently — or sequentially?
- How much say do clients get in their own treatment plan?
- What does aftercare look like once the program ends?
If the answers sound wishy-washy, alarm bells should be going off. A legitimate trauma-informed program will not mind telling you specifically how it operates.
Note: Combining treatment for both issues yields better results than treating them individually.
Bringing It All Together
Trauma and addiction go hand in hand. Oftentimes drugs and alcohol were used as a coping mechanism to get through pain that no one faced with them.
Trauma-informed addiction treatment changes that. It’s built on:
- Safety
- Trust
- Choice
- Treating the root cause — not just the symptoms
That’s what gives people their best shot at lasting recovery.
If you or a loved one are hurting, look for a program that asks, “…What happened to you?” It just might change your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is trauma-informed addiction treatment?
Trauma-informed addiction treatment refers to rehab centers that address both substance use and previous trauma as dual issues. Employees are trained to maintain safety and avoid potential triggers.
Can trauma cause addiction?
Trauma isn’t always the cause of addiction but it significantly increases risk. Substance abuse is often used to dull symptoms of anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares.
Do you need a PTSD diagnosis to get trauma-informed care?
No. Trauma-informed care benefits anyone who has had painful experiences in the past — regardless of diagnosis or lack thereof.