When someone develops an addiction, also known as a substance use disorder, there are usually many driving forces behind why they turned to substances. Emotional pain, stress, and anxiety all contribute to why individuals continually return to substances as they make an effort to eliminate the pain they feel without the proper dual diagnosis treatment.

For many survivors of trauma, the same is true. In fact, trauma and addiction are often closely linked. According to a study published in a National Library of Medicine journal, up to 59% of young adults who need treatment for trauma-related issues also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. This is a significant percentage, especially when trauma is taken into account as a possible factor for developing an addiction.

In addition to care, trauma-informed treatment acknowledges the strong correlation between trauma and addiction recovery. At Northern Illinois Recovery Center, trauma therapy is an integral part of our addiction treatment program. Our trauma therapists are experienced in helping individuals identify and process trauma so they can start to heal the underlying wounds that contribute to their addictive behaviors.

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The Need for Trauma and Addiction Treatment

When someone experiences trauma, physical and emotional safety is violated. The trauma can be caused by a single event, like a car accident, or it can be the result of chronic exposure to difficult circumstances, like living in a war zone. When trauma happens, it can change the way someone feels about themselves and the world around them. To minimize the emotional distress, and physical pain they feel, survivors may turn to substances. Other reasons people with trauma may use substances include the following:

Self-medication to numb painful feelings
In order to relax or go to sleep at night
The prevention of nightmares associated with their trauma
Coping with physical pain caused by trauma
Stopping flashbacks and dissociation
In order to feel pleasure or euphoria
Out of peer pressure or to socialize with other people easier
Because family members used drugs or drank alcohol growing up
To commit “slow suicide” a process of slowly ending ones life

Substance use usually works in the short term for survivors of trauma. In order to deal with trauma, coping mechanisms are needed. However, the relief felt turns into its own problem to undo as an individual becomes dependent on the substance that once provided comfort. As a coping mechanism, substance use is largely maladaptive and cannot replace healthier types of coping.

When it comes to trauma and addiction treatment, programs must focus on healing the damage done to the brain and body by both the initial trauma and the effects of substance abuse. In fact, trauma and addiction can be considered to be dual diagnoses as both come with their own host of symptoms and neurobiological changes. A trauma and addiction treatment program require a multidisciplinary approach that includes detoxification, individual and group therapy, trauma-informed care, and aftercare planning.

Our approach to client care encompasses mind, body,
and spirit as a unified whole.

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Trauma Therapy at Northern Illinois Recovery Center

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting effects on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It often stems from events such as:

Acute Trauma: Results from a single traumatic event, such as an accident, natural disaster, or physical assault.
Chronic Trauma: Develops from prolonged or repeated events, such as domestic violence or long-term abuse.
Complex Trauma: Involves exposure to multiple traumatic events, often interpersonal in nature, such as neglect or exploitation during childhood.

Trauma can manifest in various ways, including flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and difficulty in maintaining relationships. At Northern Illinois Recovery Center, we understand that every individual’s experience with trauma is unique, which is why we tailor our trauma therapy programs to meet each client’s specific needs.

Examining The Relationship Between Trauma and Addiction

Trauma and addiction are often closely linked, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break without professional intervention. Individuals who experience trauma may turn to substances as a way to self-medicate, numb emotional pain, or cope with overwhelming memories. This behavior, while offering temporary relief, can lead to substance dependency and worsen mental health conditions over time.

How Trauma Fuels Addiction

Emotional Numbing: Substances can provide a temporary escape from feelings of fear, sadness, or anger associated with traumatic events.
Hyperarousal: For individuals experiencing heightened anxiety or stress from trauma, substances like alcohol or sedatives may seem to offer relief by calming the nervous system.
Avoidance: Some people use drugs or alcohol to avoid confronting painful memories or emotions tied to trauma.

What is Trauma Therapy?

Trauma therapy is a form of psychological treatment that can help people who have experienced trauma. It can be used to treat trauma, as well as other conditions such as anxiety and depression.

There are a number of different types of trauma therapy, but they all aim to help people process their trauma and learn healthy coping mechanisms. the following therapies are commonly used to treat trauma-related issues during addiction treatment:

Exposure therapy: This type of therapy helps people face their trauma head-on. During exposure therapy, people will often talk about their trauma in detail, as well as participate in activities that help them confront their fears.
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): This type of therapy helps people to understand and change the thoughts and beliefs that are associated with their trauma.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This type of therapy uses a combination of eye movements, sounds, or taps to help people process their trauma.
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): This type of therapy helps people to change the way they think and feel about their trauma.

All of these therapies can be helpful in treating trauma, but during trauma and addiction treatment, it is important to engage in a range of therapies to address other contributing factors to your addiction. Addiction also causes many cognitive and behavioral changes that traditional addiction therapies address. Therefore, trauma and addiction treatment should be comprehensive and address both trauma and addiction. Other therapies that people in trauma and addiction treatment will participate in include the following:

Individual therapy: Individual therapy for trauma and addiction can provide a safe space for people to talk about their experiences. It can help them to understand their trauma and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Group therapy: Group therapy can be helpful for people who have experienced trauma because it allows them to share their experiences with others who have been through similar things. It can also provide support and validation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): During trauma and addiction treatment, CBT can help people identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT is an effective trauma therapy that can help people learn how to cope with difficult emotions.

The need for therapy comes from the fact that trauma changes the way a person sees the world and themselves. It’s not just an event that happened in the past—it’s a present reality that can shape how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. While the trauma itself has ended, the effects can last a lifetime. With proper treatment, however, people can heal the wounds of trauma and learn to live fuller, healthier lives.

Why Choose Northern Illinois Recovery Center for Trauma Therapy?

Located in the serene setting of Crystal Lake, IL, Northern Illinois Recovery Center provides a peaceful environment where clients can focus entirely on their recovery. Our team is dedicated to delivering compassionate care that incorporates evidence-based practices, personalized attention, and a holistic approach to healing.

With trauma therapy programs that integrate counseling, medical support, and wellness practices, we aim to empower individuals to regain control over their lives and thrive beyond their traumatic experiences.