Trauma and addiction rarely travel alone. At Freeman Recovery Center in Dickson, Tennessee, both are treated together across every level of care, from medically supervised detox and residential treatment at the Burns, TN campus to PHP, IOP, and telehealth through Freeman Recovery Online. Rather than treating substance use in isolation, FRC’s dual diagnosis approach addresses the traumatic experiences that often sit at the root of why people turn to substances in the first place.
When Trauma and Substance Use Are Two Sides of the Same Problem
Many people who enter treatment for alcohol or drug addiction carry unresolved trauma they have never had the space or safety to address. The two conditions reinforce each other in ways that make treating either one in isolation far less effective. Substances often become a way to manage the hyperarousal, emotional numbness, intrusive memories, or sleep disruption that trauma produces. When that coping mechanism is removed in treatment without addressing the underlying trauma, the conditions that drove the substance use remain unresolved.
Freeman Recovery Center’s dual diagnosis clinical model is built around this reality. Every intake assessment at FRC screens for co-occurring conditions, including trauma histories, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. When trauma is identified alongside a substance use disorder, the treatment plan incorporates trauma-informed care as a thread running through the entire clinical experience, not as an add-on after detox.
If you’re ready to speak with someone now, call (615) 645-3677. Same-day admissions are available.
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Trauma-Informed Addiction Rehab at Freeman Recovery Center
Trauma-informed care is not a single therapy. It is an orientation to treatment that recognizes how experiences of abuse, neglect, violence, loss, or other adverse events can alter a person’s neurobiology, emotional regulation, and relationship to substances. At FRC, this framework shapes how staff interact with patients, how groups are structured, and which clinical modalities are prioritized.
What does that look like in practice? A few specific examples from FRC’s programming:
- Trauma-focused individual therapy gives patients a private, structured space to explore trauma history with a licensed clinician. This is distinct from group work and designed for material that requires more personal clinical attention and continuity.
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is integrated across FRC’s programs and addresses two of the core challenges that co-occurring trauma creates: emotional dysregulation and difficulty tolerating distress. The DBT skill sets, including distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness, directly support patients learning to manage trauma responses without substances.
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) helps patients identify how trauma-shaped thought patterns, including catastrophic thinking, hypervigilance, and shame-based beliefs, connect to substance-seeking behaviors and build practical skills to interrupt those cycles.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) supports patients in exploring their own readiness and motivation for change through a client-centered, non-confrontational approach that is especially effective for people who carry shame or ambivalence alongside trauma.
- Group therapy and peer community provide accountability and shared experience, offering a structured space where patients recognize they are not alone in how trauma and substance use have intersected in their lives.
More than 50% of FRC’s clinical and support staff are personally in recovery. This is not incidental. It means that on any given day, the people sitting across from patients in groups and individual sessions have personal experience with the intersection of difficult life experiences and substance use. That perspective is embedded in how care is delivered.
Contact Freeman Recovery Center for Dual Diagnosis Trauma Treatment
Our Tennessee Facilities That Treat Trauma and Addiction
If you’re seeking rehab for trauma and addiction in Tennessee, Freeman Recovery Center can help with medical detox and 24/7 residential care at 1615 Highway 96, Burns, TN 37029, along with outpatient support for co-occurring trauma and substance abuse through our IOP, PHP, and general outpatient care at 250 State St., Dickson, TN 37055 (available 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday); call (615) 645-3677 to learn more about your treatment options.
Which Programs at FRC Address Trauma and Addiction Together
Dual diagnosis trauma treatment at Freeman Recovery Center is available across the full continuum of care. The appropriate starting point depends on the severity of the substance use disorder, the stability of the patient, and what level of structure they need to engage meaningfully in trauma-focused clinical work.
Medical Detox (Burns, TN)
For patients with physical dependence on alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other substances, medically supervised detox at FRC’s Burns, Tennessee campus is the first step. Medical detox provides 24/7 clinical oversight during withdrawal, which matters significantly for trauma patients. Acute withdrawal can intensify hyperarousal, anxiety, and dissociative symptoms. Having medical staff present around the clock reduces the risk that physical withdrawal will compound psychological distress. Trauma-specific therapy typically begins once medical stabilization is achieved.
Residential Treatment (Burns, TN)
Inpatient trauma and dual diagnosis treatment at the Burns campus provides the structure and continuity that serious co-occurring conditions often require. The residential environment removes patients from the environments, triggers, and stressors that may be actively reinforcing trauma responses and substance use. FRC’s dual diagnosis residential programs are available in short-term formats of 7, 14, 21, and 30 days and weekend options, as well as longer-term formats of 60, 90, and 180 days, depending on clinical need. The daily schedule integrates individual therapy, group work, 12-step or non-12-step programming, and specialty modalities including DBT and trauma-focused counseling. This is typically where the deepest trauma-processing work takes place, supported by consistent clinical relationships over time.
PHP and IOP (Dickson, TN and Telehealth)
The Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program at FRC’s Dickson campus provide structured dual diagnosis trauma treatment for patients who do not require 24-hour residential care, or who are stepping down from inpatient. PHP involves daytime clinical programming with a higher weekly hour commitment. IOP offers flexible scheduling, including evening hours, for people managing work, parenting, or other obligations.
For patients who need stable housing alongside outpatient programming, FRC’s gender-specific sober living homes in Middle Tennessee are available as a support structure. Removing housing instability from the equation allows patients to focus on the clinical work without logistical barriers pulling them in other directions.
What to Expect in Dual Diagnosis Trauma Treatment at Freeman
Entering treatment for both trauma and addiction can feel overwhelming, particularly for people who have been carrying unprocessed experiences for a long time. Understanding what the clinical process actually involves helps reduce that uncertainty.
At Freeman Recovery Center, the intake process begins with a free, confidential assessment that evaluates both substance use history and mental health. This determines the appropriate level of care and informs the clinical approach from day one. Patients are not expected to arrive with a clear understanding of how trauma has affected them. Part of the clinical work is developing that understanding over time.
Daily life in residential dual diagnosis treatment at FRC typically includes individual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician, structured group therapy focused on both substance use and emotional processing, psychoeducation on the relationship between trauma and addiction, peer community through 12-step or non-12-step groups, case management and discharge planning, and medication management when appropriate through FRC’s integrated MAT and psychiatric services.
For patients with a spiritual orientation, FRC’s “Arise” faith-based recovery track offers an optional Christ-centered, biblically grounded framework for healing. For those who prefer a secular approach, non-religious program tracks are equally available. Neither is required, and both are clinically supported.
Freeman Health Partners, FRC’s sister organization, provides integrated psychiatric care, medication management, and access to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression, which is frequently co-occurring in patients with trauma histories.
The Intersection of PTSD and Substance Use Disorder
PTSD is one of the most well-documented co-occurring conditions in addiction treatment. Research consistently shows a strong relationship between trauma histories, including PTSD, and the development of substance use disorders. Alcohol and opioids, in particular, are frequently used to manage PTSD symptoms because of their short-term numbing and sedating effects.
What this means clinically is that treating the addiction without addressing the PTSD often leads to relapse, because the original driver of the substance use has not changed. Conversely, addressing PTSD without stabilizing the substance use can be destabilizing on its own, since substances may have been functioning as a coping mechanism for years.
The integrated dual diagnosis model at Freeman Recovery Center addresses both simultaneously. The clinical team coordinates psychiatric, medical, and therapeutic care so that neither the trauma nor the substance use disorder is treated as secondary.
Adverse childhood experiences are a significant focus in this work. Large-scale research has established a direct correlation between early adverse experiences and the likelihood of developing substance use disorders, depression, and other mental health conditions in adulthood. FRC’s intake and assessment process evaluates trauma history broadly, including experiences that may not meet the clinical threshold for PTSD but still significantly influence substance use patterns.
Insurance Coverage for Dual Diagnosis Trauma Treatment in Tennessee
Freeman Recovery Center accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, TennCare/Medicaid, TRICARE, and many others. Dual diagnosis treatment, including trauma-informed care, is covered under most behavioral health benefits.
The fastest way to confirm your coverage is to use FRC’s free, confidential insurance verification tool. The admissions team can also walk through your benefits by phone and explain what out-of-pocket costs, if any, to expect before any commitment is made.
Same-day admissions are available for patients who need to start immediately. Call (615) 645-3677 or email Admissions@freemanrecoverycenter.com.
Begin Trauma and Addiction Recovery at Our Tennessee Rehab Center
Choosing the right rehab center is the first step toward real healing. Freeman Recovery Center offers comprehensive addiction and trauma treatment tailored for individuals with dual diagnosis trauma needs. Located in Tennessee, our programs are designed to address the deep-rooted connection between substance use and unresolved trauma.
If you or someone you love needs dual diagnosis trauma rehab, don’t wait. Our team understands the pain and complexity of co-occurring disorders and is ready to help you regain control. With proven therapies, trauma-informed care, and compassionate professionals, we make recovery possible. Explore our trauma treatment in Tennessee and begin your path to healing today—contact Freeman Recovery Center now to speak with an admissions specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trauma and Addiction Treatment
Can trauma cause addiction and substance abuse?
There is strong clinical evidence that trauma is one of the most significant risk factors for developing a substance use disorder. Adverse childhood experiences, sexual or physical abuse, combat exposure, loss, and other traumatic events are all associated with elevated rates of alcohol and drug misuse. Many people use substances specifically to manage symptoms that trauma produces, such as intrusive memories, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or difficulty sleeping. A qualified clinician can assess how trauma and substance use may be connected in your specific situation.
Does Freeman Recovery Center treat PTSD and addiction together?
Yes. FRC’s dual diagnosis clinical model treats co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders across all levels of care, from detox and residential at the Burns campus to PHP, IOP, and telehealth through the Dickson campus and Freeman Recovery Online. A separate page specifically covering dual diagnosis PTSD treatment is available for more detail on that condition.
What therapies are used for trauma and addiction treatment in Tennessee?
Freeman Recovery Center uses several evidence-based approaches in trauma and addiction treatment, including DBT, CBT, motivational interviewing, trauma-focused individual therapy, trauma-informed counseling, and group therapy. The Arise faith-based track is available for patients who want a spiritually grounded framework. Treatment plans are built around each patient’s specific clinical presentation rather than a single-modality approach.
Is trauma-informed rehab covered by insurance in Tennessee?
Most major insurance plans cover dual diagnosis treatment, including trauma-informed care, under their behavioral health benefits. FRC accepts Aetna, BCBS of Tennessee, Cigna, UHC, TennCare/Medicaid, TRICARE, and many others. Free insurance verification is available at freemanrecoverycenter.com/verify-insurance/ or by calling (615) 645-3677.
How do I know if I need dual diagnosis treatment for trauma and addiction?
If your substance use developed after or alongside a traumatic experience, or if anxiety, intrusive memories, emotional dysregulation, or avoidance behaviors are part of your daily life alongside substance use, dual diagnosis evaluation is worth pursuing. FRC offers free confidential assessments by phone or online. The clinical team will help determine whether and to what degree trauma is part of the picture and recommend the appropriate level of care.
Dual Diagnosis Mental Health & Addiction Care
Freeman Recovery Center’s dual diagnosis programs address both substance use and mental health disorders. With treatment for depression, PTSD, BPD, and schizophrenia, we provide care through inpatient, PHP, and outpatient programs. Review the links below to explore all available treatment services and pricing.
- Partial Hospitalization (PHP) Program
- PTSD Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- Anxiety & Addiction Rehab
- Residential Dual Diagnosis Rehab
- Depression & Dual Diagnosis Programs
- ADHD & Addiction Therapy
- Mood Disorders & Dual Diagnosis
- BPD & Addiction Support
- Trauma Treatment & Co-Occurring Disorders
- IOP Outpatient Dual Diagnosis
- Schizophrenia & Substance Abuse Programs
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment Costs TN
Trauma and Addiction Statistics in Tennessee
- There are 205 substance use treatment facilities in Tennessee that provide care for people with both co-occurring mental health conditions and substance addictions, according to 2022 data from SAMHSA.
- In 2022 in Knox County, Tennessee, there were 79 hospital visits for stress-related reactions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, about 5.2 million U.S. adults will experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a given year.
- About 60% of families that have children in the child welfare system have problems with substance use, and at least half of those have a co-occurring mental illness, the Tennessee Co-Occurring Disorders Collaborative reports.
- NAMI reports men are more likely than women to experience a co-occurring disorder.
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