Finding Freedom from Addiction and Past Trauma

happy woman smiling, enjoying life after recovery

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use, developing a deeper understanding of addiction and its root causes can be a decisive step toward lasting recovery. 

In our experience, addiction often stems from unresolved trauma, so it is essential to address both the addictive behaviour and its underlying triggers and causes.

Understanding the connection between trauma and addiction is not just a key aspect to healing, but it can also enable you to seek support from a therapist or counsellor who specialises in trauma-informed treatment, guiding you towards a more effective recovery. 

With the right help and guidance, you can receive a personalised treatment plan tailored to your unique symptoms and history, helping you break free from the cycle of substance abuse and build a healthier, more peaceful life.

This article explores how you can find freedom from addiction and past trauma, including effective treatments that can help you regain control over your life and build resilience.

First and foremost, it’s essential to recognise that many individuals struggling with addiction – whether it’s substance use or a process addiction like gambling or compulsive shopping, have a history of trauma. 

At Centres for Health and Healing, we help clients grappling with all types of addiction issues (often related to trauma) using comprehensive, holistic treatment programs.

Our programs are designed to address both addiction and trauma simultaneously. 

They include individual and group therapy, mindfulness practices, behavioural therapy, trauma-informed treatment, nutritional counselling, and physical activities, providing a well-rounded approach to recovery.

This approach is crucial, as, in the past, traditional addiction treatment models only focused on symptom management, where a person’s issues with dependency were addressed, but the underlying trauma driving these behaviours remained unacknowledged. 

When trauma is left untreated, it can lead to chronic cycles of substance use and other destructive behaviours.

For instance, an individual may struggle to cope with painful memories, flashbacks, avoidance, dissociation, and other symptoms related to their traumatic past, causing them to drink or take drugs to cope.

Seeking help is crucial to break free from this cycle and lead a healthier life.

Fortunately, nowadays, most rehab centres like ours provide holistic treatment programs, including inpatient treatment and trauma-informed therapy. 

Trauma-informed treatment is vital in addiction recovery as it recognises the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery, offering a well-rounded program and a much better chance at lasting healing and sobriety.

Our specialist team is here to provide you with the information and support you need. 

Seeking professional help is a crucial step in your recovery journey, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Coping mechanisms 

Many people use substances and specific behaviours to cope with painful memories and emotions, usually tied to a traumatic past. 

These coping mechanisms are a natural response to trauma, and it’s essential to acknowledge them. 

Recognising these coping mechanisms can bring a huge sense of relief, knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles.

For instance, if you were exposed to repeated or prolonged situations that frightened you growing up, such as domestic abuse, bullying, or an attachment rupture to an important figure, you may have learned to adapt through specific coping mechanisms like people-pleasing or acting out at school.

Although maladaptive and unhealthy, these behaviours once served as an outlet and a way to survive any immediate threats or danger in your environment.

The above process may even continue in adulthood, impacting your relationships by creating trust issues or difficulties in forming meaningful connections.

It may also affect your professional relationships by impacting your ability to work in a team or manage stress.

Understanding this connection can be empowering, giving you more control over your experiences and your recovery journey. 

In essence, any behaviour can become addictive, and you may use substances like drugs or alcohol to cope with painful or traumatic memories that are too difficult for you to think about or process.

Now you have a clearer understanding of the connection between trauma and addiction, let’s look at ways you can find recovery and, ultimately, freedom from the events of your past and the coping mechanisms you may use to adapt or cope.

Finding freedom from addiction and past trauma

As mentioned, unresolved trauma can fuel unhealthy behaviours and coping mechanisms, making substances such as drugs or alcohol seem like a helpful way to numb or escape painful feelings and emotions.

Substances like cocaine and marijuana may make you feel better in the short term. 

For instance, your anxiety may lessen, painful memories from the past may dissolve with each line or puff, and you may find you feel more relaxed and confident.

However, the keyword in the above sentence is “short-term”. Once the effects of your chosen substance wear off, you are likely to feel much worse than you did before.

Because now you not only have a horrible hangover or comedown to deal with, but also the anxiety, memories, and shame you were doing your best to avoid, come rushing back – often with a vengeance.

The good news is that with proper treatment and support, you can learn to break the cycle of addiction and trauma and find peace and freedom from your past.

Below are some practical strategies to help you achieve this.

1. Seek treatment and support

patient with anxiety in a session for help or mental health counseling

Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. 

We need the support of others to help us make sense of our experiences and the behaviours we may have used to cope.

Having others validate our pain can be like a mirror reflecting back all the things we may have already known but needed validation or acknowledgment.

This support may come from a sensible friend or relative or a professional experienced in trauma-informed care (both can be helpful).

If you decide to go down the professional treatment route, specific therapies, including the following, can be extremely effective in helping address both your addiction and trauma symptoms:

  • Inpatient addiction treatment this includes medical detox under the guidance of experienced professionals to help you get clean and abstain from substances.
  • Mental health treatment, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy, can help you explore and address any maladaptive thought and behaviour patterns that may cause or worsen your substance use.
  • Trauma-informed treatmentAt Centres for Health and Healing, our trauma treatment is built on trust and empathy. We understand that every individual’s experience with trauma is unique. By fostering a safe and supportive environment, we empower you to process your past in a secure and validating way. Our dedicated team of professionals utilises trauma-informed practices tailored to your specific needs, ensuring compassionate, personalised, and effective care.

Other effective treatments that can help address addiction and trauma include:

  • Somatic experiencing.

The above therapies can help you process painful memories from your past and address any triggers or cravings you may experience as you navigate recovery.

For instance, EMDR therapy and somatic experiencing can help you release any ‘stored’ trauma from your body and nervous system. 

Once released, you will still be able to recall these memories, but you won’t experience the same level of distress or desire to numb or escape your past as you once did.

2. Community and connection

Group of friends have party indoors together

A strong network of friends, family, and community can help you stay accountable and feel less isolated or alone in your recovery journey.

Support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, as well as peer programs and mentors, can be invaluable as you navigate sobriety.

In addition, these groups can help you learn to deal with your addiction issues and past trauma, as many of the people in these programs also share experiences of substance dependence and recovery.

3. Embrace self-compassion

serene woman meditating and enjoying nature, holistic therapy concept.

Many trauma survivors, and indeed, those struggling with addiction, suffer from chronic shame and low self-worth.

An individual’s traumatic experiences may leave them feeling broken or inherently flawed, making them believe they are “less than” or unworthy of the love and joy many people without such histories experience.

Practising self-compassion can help you rewire old thinking patterns and unhelpful beliefs that no longer serve you, including alcohol and drug use.

Self-compassion can look like:

  • Self-forgiveness. Remind yourself that whatever happens or did happen in your past, you have no control over the actions of others. You were and still are doing the best you can, and your intentions are good.
  • Celebrating your accomplishments. Acknowledging any milestones you have made as you navigate recovery is essential; remember to celebrate them, no matter how big or small.
  • Practising gratitude. Being grateful for what you have can lead to joy and abundance and foster well-being. By being gentle and patient with yourself, you can stay present with what you have and what you still stand to gain.

4. Holistic healing

group of people attending yoga and meditation class, holistic therapy concept

As mentioned earlier, addiction and trauma recovery requires a complex, multifaceted approach.

Talk therapy can be a very effective way to get a handle on your addiction and address its root causes. 

However, studies show that body-based approaches to trauma and addiction recovery can help release ‘stored’ trauma in the body, leading to healthier coping mechanisms and increased resilience.

When used as part of an integrated treatment program, the following holistic approaches can be instrumental in addiction and trauma recovery as they can help you reconnect with yourself and promote emotional regulation.

These approaches include:

  • Mindfulness
  • Meditation
  • Yoga
  • Breathwork
  • Inner child work

Bottom line

Although it can be hard to imagine, especially when you’re in the depths of hopelessness and despair, recovery from addiction and trauma is possible.

With the proper help and support, you can regain control over your life and lead a happy, fulfilling existence where you can feel empowered, free, and whole once again.

Next steps

Choosing the right treatment centre can be challenging, but it is a vital step in your journey to recovery and wellness. 

Centres for Health and Healing is committed to providing compassionate, client-centred care grounded in evidence-based practices. 

Our dedicated team goes beyond symptom management, focusing on deep, lasting healing to help you break free from the grip of trauma and addiction.

With a holistic approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit, we equip you with the tools you need to build a fulfilling and empowered life. 

Our trauma-informed treatment programs offer a transformative path toward recovery and resilience through a blend of proven therapeutic techniques, holistic healing modalities, and a supportive community.

Contact our professional team in Ontario today for further support and information on our addiction and trauma treatment programs.

We are here and ready to help.

Additional resources

For those who want more information about the symptoms of alcohol addiction, click here for further support and resources.

If you would like to understand how to recognise the different types of trauma and how they manifest, you may find our trauma-treatment page helpful.

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