Trauma and addiction are two treatable mental health disorders that frequently occur at the same time, where one disorder fuels the other. This dual-diagnosis condition can make the recovery process much more challenging unless you enroll in a comprehensive treatment program. These programs address both disorders simultaneously and work to create personalized coping skills that improve patients’ mental health and stop their addiction and trauma symptoms from worsening.
At Arkview Recovery, our trauma treatment center supports individuals who have experienced recent or past trauma and have developed a substance use disorder due to the experience. You will work with a professional therapist in private to talk about the original trauma and learn how to process those feelings and emotions without triggering addiction cravings, panic attacks, or other trauma-related symptoms.
To see if our dual diagnosis treatment in PA is right for you or a loved one, call 717.744.0756 today to schedule a consultation with our team.
Understanding Trauma and Addiction
A traumatic event is any type of experience that causes an intense and overwhelming emotional response. This can include natural disasters, live combat, in-person or cyberbullying, domestic abuse, or the sudden loss of a loved one in a car accident or due to a sudden illness. In many cases, the effects of the traumatic event are not felt until months or even years later.1
Common trauma symptoms can include:
- Experiencing reoccurring memories of the event, which can make it seem like it is happening all over again.
- They avoid talking about the trauma to the point of getting upset at being asked to talk about it.
- The way they think and behave begins to change and becomes more negative.
- Being overly reactive to normal situations.
- Having suicidal thoughts or dreams of dying.
Instead of talking with a therapist about the trauma, most people will turn to drugs and alcohol for relief. If this pattern of behavior continues, it will lead to a dual diagnosis disorder of trauma and addiction. Fortunately, there are specific trauma and addiction recovery programs available that treat both disorders at the same time.
At Arkview Recovery, our trauma treatment center welcomes Pennsylvania residents who have developed an addiction as a result of past or recent trauma. We will create a customized dual-diagnosis treatment program that will address the underlying trauma and addiction behaviors and triggers.
What to Expect After Enrolling in an Addiction Treatment Program
People who struggle with past trauma and addiction can find support through an accredited addiction treatment program that includes behavioral therapy along with medical support to ease disruptive symptoms. It focuses on the triggered behaviors and works to develop better coping skills so that they can stop using drugs or alcohol as a crutch.
There are many other benefits of enrolling in a dual-diagnosis trauma and addiction recovery program. It goes beyond teaching patients how to better manage their symptoms and triggers and includes other life skills training that promotes better mental health and long-lasting sobriety.
Here is what you can expect after enrolling in an addiction treatment program that includes trauma therapy:
Health Assessment
The first step in the recovery process is gaining a better understanding of the disorders and the severity of symptoms. This assessment will determine the type of treatment program, residential or outpatient, the types of therapies involved, and a general timeline for completing the recovery process.
Personalized Treatment Programs
Because trauma and addiction symptoms and triggers are personal, they require a more tailored approach. There are different types of behavioral and holistic therapies that can benefit each patient in ways that are unique to their situation.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
In addition to behavioral therapies, patients will receive medication to ease depressive or anxiety symptoms as well as addiction withdrawals and cravings. Medical staff will administer specific dosages and monitor each patient for any adverse reactions. This is only meant as temporary support, and once symptoms become more manageable, they will begin tapering off the medication until no longer necessary.
Relationship Therapy
An important part of the recovery process is repairing broken trust and fractured relationships with spouses, parents, children, and other loved ones. All family members will participate in therapy sessions to address any lingering conflicts and begin strengthening the family bond.
Find Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Pennsylvania at Arkview Recovery
Arkview Recovery is a fully accredited addiction treatment facility located in Mechanicsburg, PA. We welcome people from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, and surrounding areas who are struggling with a co-occurring disorder of addiction and trauma. Each of our programs takes into account the patient’s personal experiences that led to the addiction as well as focuses on any unresolved trauma symptoms.
To discover the benefits of our addiction treatment programs, fill out our online contact form or call 717.744.0756 today to speak with our knowledgeable team.
Source:
1. Mayo Clinic
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
