Trauma is a common underlying cause of addiction and mental health disorders. Women have a higher risk of experiencing severe traumas during both childhood and adulthood. According to Frontiers in Psychiatry, “Among women with substance use disorders, the majority report sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or neglect.” Successful recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring trauma-related issues requires personalized care. Painted Desert Recovery addresses underlying trauma using trauma-informed therapy and other evidence-based treatments.

The Relationship Between Trauma and Addiction

Untreated trauma is common among women diagnosed with SUD. According to the previously mentioned article in Frontiers in Psychiatry, “In patients with alcohol use disorders, 22–74% report at least one type of childhood abuse or neglect . . . Female patients more often report severe forms of childhood trauma, particularly sexual abuse.” Many people are unaware of how trauma impacts their physical or mental health. Often, professional mental health treatment is needed to help people identify traumas and their effects. Understanding the relationship between trauma and maladaptive behaviors, including substance abuse, helps clients overcome challenges related to sobriety and long-term recovery.

Trauma and addictive behaviors have multiple possible connections, including:

• People actively abusing drugs or alcohol have a higher risk of experiencing traumatic events
• Individuals with untreated trauma-related mental health issues may use substance as a form of self-medication
• Trauma and substance abuse may occur independently

Clinicians at Painted Desert Recovery use evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies to help women recover from trauma in a safe and welcoming space. The gender-specific care allows women to openly share their needs, preferences, and concerns with others who share similar life experiences. Peer support inspires people in recovery to continue making progress and moving forward. Trauma-informed therapy helps people with a history of trauma navigate recovery.

What Is Trauma-Informed Therapy?

Trauma-informed therapy is a type of psychotherapy aimed at helping people safely and effectively process their trauma and trauma-related disorders. According to SAMHSA, a trauma-informed approach to care includes the following:

• Patient empowerment: Using individuals’ strengths to empower them in the development of their treatment;
• Choice: Informing patients regarding treatment options so they can choose the options they prefer;
• Collaboration: Maximizing collaboration among health care staff, patients, and their families in organizational and treatment planning;
• Safety: Developing health care settings and activities that ensure patients’ physical and emotional safety; and
• Trustworthiness: Creating clear expectations with patients about what proposed treatments entail, who will provide services, and how care will be provided.”

Trauma-informed therapy is tailored to each client’s unique history and needs, taking into account any triggers affecting their recovery. The treatment is helpful in both individual and group settings. A trauma-informed approach often includes a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies. Each session is personalized to ensure clients receive the type of support they need to process their trauma and move forward in recovery.

How Does Trauma-Informed Therapy Help Women Heal From Addiction?

Women have a higher risk of both experiencing trauma and being diagnosed with trauma-related mental health disorders. Some women may not have the resources to address trauma in a healthy way, causing them to rely on maladaptive coping techniques, including self-medicating using drugs or alcohol. Addressing the underlying issues leading to addiction allows women to manage their symptoms better and reduce the risk of relapse.

Trauma-informed therapy helps women recover from substance abuse and trauma by giving them the tools they need to process the memories, thoughts, and beliefs affecting their mental health. Healing from trauma takes time and personalized care.

Trauma-informed therapy improves the effectiveness of addiction recovery treatment by doing the following:

• Ensuring women have access to gender-specific trauma treatment
• Reducing stress and providing clients with practical and effective coping tools
• Ensuring clients have access to a support system and care team educated to manage trauma and trauma responses

Women recovering from substance abuse benefit from participating in treatment programs where the clinicians and support staff are trained to recognize signs of trauma. Identifying and treating potential issues related to trauma reduces the risk of relapse and helps clients heal.

The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Therapy

Trauma can affect all areas of a person’s life, including personal relationships. Some of the most common forms of trauma take place between children and parental figures or couples. Processing the trauma and building healthier relationships reduces the risk of relapse during recovery from SUD.

Some of the primary benefits of trauma-informed therapy include:

• Reduced stress
• Increased emotional stability
• Re-establishes safety

Individuals diagnosed with SUD and co-occurring trauma-related disorders benefit from trauma-informed therapy. Clinicians are trained to identify potential triggers and help people navigate trauma automatic responses during recovery.

Treatment at Painted Desert Recovery

The clinical team at Painted Desert Recovery understands trauma recovery requires time and personalized treatment services. Trauma-informed therapy is tailored to the unique needs of each client and may include:

• Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy
• Alternative holistic therapies, including art therapy

Trauma affects everyone differently. Painted Desert Recovery uses trauma-informed therapy to ensure women feel heard, understood, and supported through every level of their recovery. Clients are provided with a range of therapeutic tools and services to help them process and manage the effects of trauma.

Many people recovering from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders have a history of untreated trauma. Trauma-informed therapy provides clients in recovery with a safe space to process their trauma. Painted Desert Recovery uses various therapeutic tools to help women heal from the side effects of trauma. To learn more about our service and programs, call us today at (844) 540-0353.