Often overlooked, trauma lies at the heart of many types of addictions. This morning our intake coordinator Justin sat down with Stephanie Fischer, MSW, Clinical Director of Huntington Creek Recovery Center to discuss the correlations between the two, and the benefits of treatment for those who suffer with both trauma and addiction.
Justin: Good morning Stephanie! According to the advocacy group PTSD United, as many as 70% of adults in the US have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. What is the connection between trauma and substance abuse?
Stephanie: In my experience working in the substance abuse field, I would say that some degree of trauma can be found in almost every person who suffers from a substance abuse disorder. Unfortunately, many people do not understand the various types of trauma, or the impact that trauma has on the human brain. For example, we often think about trauma on a macro-level scale such as war, school shootings, major car accidents, or terrorist attacks. We also have violence that includes physical and sexual abuse, which are all obvious types of trauma. These are all examples of “big T’s”. However, these are not the only types of trauma. People who experience childhood bullying, ongoing verbal abuse, death of a loved one, divorce, terminal illness, and real or perceived abandonment or neglect are also potential victims of trauma. Oftentimes people disregard the impact their trauma has had on their life when it doesn’t fit into the “big T” category.
Justin: Does trauma affect just the patient? Or family members/friends also?
Stephanie: Trauma effects almost every aspect of an individual’s life. This includes their relationships with loved ones, friends, and coworkers.
Justin: Are there usually any other co-occurring disorders with trauma patients?
Stephanie: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is obviously the most common co-occurring disorder associated with trauma. However, other anxiety disorders are common as well as depression.
Justin: So do patients ever get better?
Stephanie: I believe that every patient has the potential to get better with the right treatment. Considering that each patient is a unique individual there are a whole myriad of successful treatment options for patients who have trauma issues. There are many non-narcotic medications that can help reduce the symptoms of trauma, but I feel medication works best in conjunction with trauma specific therapy. One of the quickest, and most effective therapies I have found to work with trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR).
Justin: Can you tell me about HCRC’s EMDR program?
Stephanie: EMDR is offered here at Huntington Creek for patients who choose to begin addressing their trauma issues while they are still in treatment. Obviously, the patient needs to be medically detoxed prior to beginning EMDR. EMDR is a relatively new type of treatment that focuses on the effect that trauma has had on the patient’s brain and central nervous system. In trauma therapy we believe that when a traumatic event, or series of events happen in a person’s life , the client’s defense mechanisms kick in and the central nervous system puts them in “fight/flight, or freeze” mode. Unfortunately, when this happens the trauma essentially gets stuck in the person’s brain. EMDR seeks to utilize the brain’s natural ability to heal itself by re-processing the traumatic events.
Justin: It seems like EMDR would open up old wounds? Is there a cognitive behavioral therapy aspect of the treatment process?
Stephanie: EMDR does open old wounds in an attempt to heal them once and for all. It’s almost like surgery, we are going inside and opening some things up in order to make some corrections, but just like surgery, it is necessary for the long-term healing process.
Justin: What type of tools are available to prevent relapse?
Stephanie: We do recommend and link patients with follow-up EMDR as needed as an aftercare option. EMDR also helps people to combat many of the underlying symptoms of trauma such as anxiety, maladaptive, and impulsive behaviors . Depending on their needs, we also offer help with finding a support group, substance abuse therapy, and coping skills.
Justin: Thank you so much for sitting down with us this morning!
Stephanie Fischer, MSW, CCS, is master’s level clinician and clinical director with over a decade of service to Huntington Creek Recovery Center and the recovering community as a whole. As clinical director of Huntington Creek Recovery Center, Stephanie oversees the entire treatment protocol, including our Experiential Therapy, and HOPE programs.
If you or a loved one are struggling with trauma and substance use, please contact us today! One of our intake coordinators would be happy to walk you through the admissions process. Help is possible.
