There are many causes of addiction, and mental illness is one of the primary reasons people turn to substances. Mental illness can result in you feeling lost and confused, which can lead to self-medication. For most people, the drugs or alcohol begin to make your problems even worse than they were before. If you’re someone who suffers from trauma and addiction, trauma therapy can significantly help you in recovery.
Why Trauma Therapy?
Trauma can be different for everyone, and it depends on the person and their perception of the experience. This is what makes trauma so prevalent, yet so often overlooked by many people. While some leading causes of trauma can be going to war or being the victim of assault, it doesn’t always have to be. Some of the leading causes of a trauma response include the following as well as more:
- Childhood emotional, physical or sexual abuse
- The loss of a loved one
- Being in an accident
- Witnessing something tragic
- Being injured
When you experience a trauma, your brain stores the memory in an area called the hippocampus. This part of the brain shares close ties with the amygdala, which is your fight or flight response. Whenever triggered, you have a trauma response, but trauma therapy in Memphis TN can help. By going through trauma therapy, you can begin regaining control of your life and overcome your past.
Trauma Therapy for Addiction
First, it’s important to understand how trauma can turn into substance abuse and then an addiction. Our brains are efficient and turn to certain habits that make us feel better. When you experience different triggers that remind you of your trauma, you can experience symptoms of anxiety. By turning to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with this response, you develop a psychological dependence.
Your triggers can include sights, sounds, and smells, as well as various thoughts and emotions. The problem is that you’re only masking the problem with drugs or alcohol. Trauma therapy in Memphis TN helps you face these problems head-on with a caring, compassionate professional. The first step of trauma therapy is having a safe place where you can discuss your past.
It’s crucial in trauma therapy to be open and honest with your therapist about the event. One of the reasons trauma is so powerful is that your brain is trying to make sense of the situation. In many cases, the brain hasn’t fully processed what happened, but this is where a therapist can help. Although it’s difficult, when you tell your story to your therapist and he or she guides you through it, it can help tremendously. The brain begins the healing process as soon as you’re able to open up about what happened. This is only the beginning of the process of recovery.
Trauma Therapy and More
When receiving trauma therapy in Memphis TN, it’s essential to receive dual diagnosis treatment. This means your trauma, as well as your addiction, will be addressed separately. Although you may drink or use to help deal with your trauma, you still need to learn more about living life without substances. This is why you’ll develop an education about your addiction and learn new coping skills for life.
Being around others trying to recover is one of the most significant benefits of addiction treatment as well. In the process of recovery from both addiction as well as trauma, it’s vital to have a solid support group. While family therapy is essential because you need the love and support of your family, you need more. No matter how much your family loves and supports you, they may not be able to connect with you on a certain level. Developing relationships with others who have been through similar lived experiences is where you get the additional support that you need.
Memphis Recovery is an addiction treatment facility that also specializes in trauma. We’re here to help show you that there is a better way to live, and you can recover from your situation. Some of the additional services we offer include:
To learn more about trauma therapy and how we can help, call us today at 901-272-7751.