Trauma and the symptoms of trauma are one of the most common co-occurring mental disorders among people with substance use disorder. In fact, organizations that provide treatment for substance use disorder are more likely to have patients with co-occurring trauma than most other mental health-related symptoms and diagnoses.
Trauma therapy near Nashville enables patients to work through their past in order to overcome their substance use disorder. As the patient builds healthy coping skills to deal with past trauma, those coping skills can also be utilized to strengthen their addiction recovery.
Some people may not be aware of their trauma, especially if it happened at a very young age, so they may not receive the appropriate therapy during addiction treatment. Unfortunately, this can lead to a pattern of relapse. Understanding the benefits of trauma therapy can help you see how it may just be the key to lasting recovery. These benefits include:
Overcoming fear. A person may confront the source of their anxiety while in a safe space, guided by a trauma-informed therapist.
Increased confidence and self-efficacy. By learning how to regulate their emotions during stressful situations, a person will no longer feel victimized by their circumstances.
Stress reduction. Trauma triggers provoke fear and anxiety. Trauma therapy teaches patients stress management techniques and healthy coping skills to maintain calm.
Healthier thought patterns. A trauma-informed therapist guides the patient through the process of restructuring negative thoughts that keep them trapped in addictive behaviors. These restructured thoughts help the patient cultivate thoughts promoting safety and positivity.
