A traumatic experience can alter your life in a variety of ways. One potential consequence is an increased risk of serious problems with drugs or alcohol. In addition, existing substance abuse issues can potentially increase the negative impact of trauma exposure. For these reasons, there are addiction therapy programs focused on helping you heal from the prolonged effects of trauma. Enrollment in this form of therapy may be fundamental to your ability to regain your sobriety and stay sober. 
At Promises Right Step, we feature trauma therapy. This therapy can help you uncover and recognize the unresolved effects of traumatic experiences. It can also help you overcome these experiences as you make progress toward your overall recovery. Call us at 17135283709 or connect with us online today to learn more.
The Relationship Between Trauma and Substance Abuse
For most people, traumatic experiences are not everyday events. Instead, they’re extraordinary events that strain your capacity to adapt and cope. Natural disasters and serious accidents fall into this category. The same holds true for exposure to physical and/or sexual violence. All forms of childhood abuse and neglect also qualify as traumatic experiences.
There is a good chance that you’ll recover from trauma exposure as a given event fades into the past. But you may also find it difficult or impossible to restore a sense of personal equilibrium. Some people affected by lingering trauma try to regain stability by drinking or taking drugs. This practice is sometimes known as self-medication. It may provide some relief from trauma’s negative impact. However, that relief is inevitably temporary. What’s more, self-medication increases your chances of developing severe symptoms of substance abuse or addiction.
The Impact of Lingering Trauma on Substance Abuse Recovery
If you’re affected by drug or alcohol issues, unaddressed trauma can impede effective treatment. That’s true because it tends to:
- Reinforce addictive behavior, not weaken it
- Sustain your motivation to keep drinking or taking drugs
- Make it harder for you to benefit from your recovery program
What does this mean for your success in rehab? In many cases, the result is slower progress toward sobriety. You may also have a higher chance of quitting rehab altogether.
What Is the Purpose of Trauma Therapy?
What is a trauma therapy program? This term refers to psychotherapy designed to help you deal with lingering trauma. You may need this form of treatment if you’re affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in addition to addiction. You may also need it if you don’t qualify for a separate PTSD diagnosis.
Several forms of therapy can play a role in a trauma-focused program. Two of the most vital resources are:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- A focused type of CBT called exposure therapy
CBT helps you understand how you’re affected by trauma. It also helps you spot specific negative effects as they occur in real-time. In addition, it shows you how to change in ways that lessen trauma’s influence on you.
In exposure therapy, your therapist recreates the source of your trauma in the treatment setting. You then get help facing that trauma source and learning how to tolerate it. As the therapy progresses, most participants find it easier to cope in everyday life.
Seek Help From Promises Right Step’s Trauma Therapy Program
Are you or your loved one affected by lingering trauma, as well as substance abuse? Turn to Promises Right Step for state-of-the-art treatment options. Our trauma therapy program can help you recover from the effects of PTSD. It can also help you overcome trauma-related issues that don’t rise to the level of PTSD.
Promises Right Step pays equal attention to primary treatment for substance abuse and addiction. The result for you is a comprehensive plan for effective recovery. Get started today by calling us at 17135283709. You can also complete our online contact form.