Addiction and Trauma: A Deeply Interwoven Relationship
For many individuals struggling with addiction, substance use is not simply about the chemical effects of drugs or alcohol—it’s about survival. Substances often serve as a means of escaping or numbing deep emotional pain stemming from unresolved trauma. Whether that trauma comes from childhood abuse, neglect, violence, or significant loss, it leaves a powerful imprint on the brain and nervous system.
Yet for decades, addiction treatment often failed to fully address the underlying trauma fueling substance use. Fortunately, an increasing number of treatment programs now recognize that long-term recovery requires more than detox—it requires a trauma-informed approach that heals both body and mind.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care?
Trauma-informed care acknowledges that many clients entering addiction treatment have a history of psychological trauma that shapes their behaviors, beliefs, and emotional responses. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, trauma-informed care seeks to:
