Trauma-Informed Care

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-informed care recognizes that past trauma can influence behaviors and emotions, contributing to the addiction cycle. In this type of care, providers aim to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters healing—and addresses the root cause of addiction. But what is trauma exactly? 

Trauma is frequently defined as a distressing or disturbing experience. This experience hinders an individual’s ability to cope or process emotions, leaving lasting psychological, emotional, and physical effects. It can also lead to certain disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as cause various physical symptoms like:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Digestive problems
• Flashbacks
• Increased heart rate

With trauma, many people feel shame, guilt, denial, anger, fear, sadness, and hopelessness. These overwhelming emotions can often lead to addiction, as substance use is frequently turned to as a way to cope or numb the pain.

At Freedom Recovery Centers (FRC), we understand that trauma can play a major role in addiction. At first, substance use may give way to feelings of calm and relaxation. But, as soon as these effects wear off, negative feelings associated with past trauma may return. This leads to continued use, fueling the cycle of addiction.

With trauma-informed care, the FRC team uses various techniques to help address trauma, such as:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Commonly used to treat PTSD, EMDR combines the processing of traumatic experiences with eye movements and other actions.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you accept uncomfortable emotions and learn to cope with them in healthy ways.
• Seeking Safety: This type of technique, as part of trauma-informed care, is an evidence-based therapy that contributes to the development of healthy coping skills.

With the FRC team, we work with you to address the root cause of addiction, including past trauma, and guide you toward recovery. We understand it takes courage to get help. This is why we offer caring and compassionate care every step of the way.

Your treatment plan at FRC is tailored to you and your specific needs. Alongside trauma-informed care, your program may include our 12-step facilitation therapies, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, life skills development, group therapy, and more. With the right guidance, you can move past pain and into a brighter and healthier future.

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Benefits of Trauma-Informed Care for Addiction Recovery

Trauma-informed care focuses on addressing the root causes of addiction rather than just treating the symptoms. As such, this type of care has many benefits, including:

Improved Emotional Regulation

This type of care centers around identifying triggers and emotions that lead to substance use. By learning healthy coping mechanisms, you can begin to process difficult emotions and move past them—without resorting to using a specific substance to feel better.

Contributes to a Safe & Supportive Environment

With trust and safety at the forefront, trauma-focused care reduces retraumatization and judgment. This can help you feel more confident and secure in your treatment program, leading to lasting recovery.

Prevents Future Risk of Relapse

By addressing trauma that’s fueling addiction, you can learn alternative and healthier ways to cope with overwhelming emotions. This can break the cycle of addiction, resulting in lasting and real change.

Increased Self-Confidence

Trauma-informed care puts the client first. It involves collaboration, autonomy, and choice. This can offer a greater sense of control, empowering you to continue your recovery journey. In turn, this can also lead to increased self-confidence and self-esteem.

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Why Choose Freedom Recovery Centers

Freedom Recovery Center (FRC) in Richmond, Virginia strives to be different than your typical addiction treatment “facility.” Our caring and compassionate team is dedicated to supporting your recovery in a way that works best for you. Each treatment is unique to each individual, and everyone is welcome at our premium recovery center.

Unlike other rehabilitation centers, we offer comfortable beds, good food, a gym, a massage clinic, a nail studio, a basketball court, and more. We know recovery goes beyond traditional talk therapies. Our goal is to help you reclaim your life and guide you to rediscover purpose and joy—leading to recovery that lasts.

As part of your treatment plan, trauma-informed care can help you tackle the root of your addiction. It ensures you’re given a safe and supportive environment to address traumatic memories that might be holding you back. Recovery is possible and within reach.

Transform Your Life With Trauma-Informed Care

It’s your turn to take control. By addressing past events that fuel addiction, you can overcome the hurdles that may have previously prevented you from achieving lasting recovery. At FRC, our team is here to help. Call us today to take that first step toward a new life.

FAQs

How does trauma relate to addiction?

Individuals who’ve experienced trauma are more susceptible to addiction. This is due to changes that occur in the brain and also because addiction may offer a form of relief from difficult emotions. Common traumatic experiences that may lead to addiction include violence, family conflict, neglect, or abuse.

What is trauma-focused therapy for addiction?

Trauma-focused therapy for addiction recognizes that trauma can be a major cause of addiction. Substance use can offer an outlet that suppresses overwhelming emotions. This can quickly spiral and lead to a cycle of substance abuse that’s hard to break. By addressing underlying trauma, we get to the root cause of addiction. This can guide you toward a full recovery, as well as significantly reduce your risk of relapse.

What are the 5 principles of trauma-informed care?

Five main principles involved in trauma-informed care include:

1. Safety
2. Trustworthiness
3. Choice
4. Collaboration
5. Empowerment

Is trauma-informed care effective?

It can be if you’re turning to substance use as a means to cope with overwhelming emotions and past experiences. Research shows that trauma-informed care is effective for addiction treatment as it can increase patient engagement in the recovery process and improve outcomes.