Trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on your life, affecting your mind and body in complex ways. If you struggle with the aftermath of traumatic experiences, trauma-informed therapy offers a pathway to healing by addressing your underlying pain and the coping mechanisms you developed in response.
How Trauma Changes the Brain
Trauma is more than an emotional experience – it physically changes the brain. When you go through something frightening, shocking, or life-threatening, your brain will release stress hormones to help you cope. While these hormones can be helpful in the moment, chronic exposure to trauma keeps you stuck in a heightened state of alert, leading to lasting changes in areas related to memory, mood, and decision-making. As a result, most trauma survivors have difficulties regulating their emotions, responding to stress, and trusting others.
For many people with a history of trauma, alcohol or drug use may begin as a misguided survival skill – a way to mask or numb the internal turmoil they feel. Unfortunately, these coping mechanisms often lead to dependency, adding another layer of difficulty to an already complex situation.
Why Trauma-Informed Therapy Is So Valuable
Trauma-informed therapy is a compassionate, non-judgmental approach that focuses on treating your mind, body, and spirit. NEM Recovery uses evidence-based methods that enable our clients to overcome the pervasive negativity, self-doubt, and physical tension that are typical among trauma survivors.
- Empathy and understanding: People who have never experienced trauma may struggle to fully appreciate the profound impact it can have. Trauma-informed therapy provides a safe space where you can work with therapists who recognize the complexity of trauma and its effects on the mind and body.
- Respect for coping mechanisms: Instead of judging or blaming, therapists work to understand the coping behaviors you have developed to protect yourself and guide you toward healthier, life-affirming alternatives.
- A pathway to new habits: Trauma-informed therapy provides a roadmap for healing by helping you replace self-destructive habits with positive, supportive practices. Through this approach, you will learn resilience, self-compassion, and emotional balance.
- Healing the root causes: Many people with substance abuse problems have a history of unresolved trauma. Drug and alcohol use may be an attempt to drown out the internal turmoil you feel after suffering in silence for so long. Trauma-informed therapy goes beyond addressing addiction alone by uncovering the root causes and empowering you to heal at a deeper level.
Trauma-Informed Therapy at NEM Recovery
The combination of untreated trauma and a substance use disorder is medically known as a dual diagnosis. Drugs and alcohol may temporarily dull painful emotions, but they ultimately worsen your mental health, damage loving relationships, and cause instability. That’s why finding a treatment facility that offers trauma-informed care can be life-changing.
NEM Recovery understands the complex, profoundly personal nature of trauma and addiction. Our trauma-informed approach respects the pain you have experienced and provides a supportive environment for growth and healing. By addressing trauma alongside addiction, we equip you with the tools you need to move beyond survival mode and create a meaningful, balanced, and fulfilling life. Connect with us to start building your healthier, more resilient future.
