How Does Treating Trauma Help with Addiction?

Six ways treating trauma can help with addiction:

• Reducing triggers: Trauma can trigger intense emotions, leading to substance use to cope. By addressing and reducing trauma-related triggers, individuals can reduce their reliance on alcohol or drugs.
• Improving emotional regulation: Trauma can disrupt emotional regulation, leading to intense and unpredictable emotional responses. By improving emotional regulation, individuals can reduce their risk of relapse.
• Building self-esteem: Trauma can impact a person’s self-worth and confidence. By building self-esteem, individuals are less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with feelings of inadequacy.
• Developing healthy coping strategies: Substance use can be a coping mechanism for trauma, but it is not healthy. By developing healthy coping strategies, individuals can reduce their reliance on drugs or alcohol.
• Reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety: Trauma can lead to depression and anxiety, increasing the risk of addiction. Because substance abuse and mental health are tightly intertwined,by reducing these symptoms, individuals can reduce their risk of addiction.
• Addressing dual diagnosis: Dual diagnosis is when an individual has a mental health disorder and an addiction. By addressing trauma, individuals can simultaneously address the root cause, or co-occurring disorder, of their addiction and mental health.

What Happens During a Trauma Treatment Session?

During a trauma treatment session, a medical professional will work with the individual to identify and address the impact of trauma on their mental and emotional health. Depending on the specific therapy, the individual may be asked to recount their traumatic experience and work through their emotions. Some of the oldest trauma treatments include talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy. More recent developments in trauma treatment include neurofeedback therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Neurofeedback and Trauma Treatment

Some evidence suggests that neurofeedback therapy can be an effective trauma treatment.Neurofeedback therapy is a type of biofeedback that involves measuring brainwave activity and providing real-time feedback to the individual to help them learn how to regulate their brain function. Neurofeedback therapy aims to improve brain function, reduce symptoms of mental health conditions, and improve overall well-being.

While neurofeedback therapy has been used to treat various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD, its use in trauma is relatively new. Some studies have suggested that neurofeedback therapy can help reduce symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related conditions by targeting specific areas of the brain that are affected by trauma. For example, a study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that neurofeedback therapy was associated with significant improvements in PTSD symptoms in a sample of military veterans.

Discuss the potential benefits and risks of neurofeedback therapy with a qualified mental health professional before beginning treatment and consider it part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include other types of therapy, such as talk therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Addiction Treatment Outcomes with Neurofeedback for Trauma Therapy

Some evidence suggests that neurofeedback therapy may be a promising treatment for trauma-related symptoms. 

Here are a few studies that have examined the use of neurofeedback therapy in treating trauma:

1. A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that neurofeedback therapy was associated with significant improvements in PTSD symptoms in a sample of military veterans. The study authors concluded that neurofeedback may be a beneficial adjunctive therapy for PTSD.
2. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis of neurofeedback therapy for anxiety and stress-related disorders found that the therapy had a moderate effect in reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress-related disorders.
3. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Neurotherapy found that neurofeedback therapy was associated with improved emotional regulation and reduced symptoms of PTSD in a sample of individuals who had experienced childhood trauma.

While these studies suggest that neurofeedback therapy may be a promising treatment for trauma-related symptoms, more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and how it can be used most effectively in treating trauma. It’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks of neurofeedback therapy with a qualified mental health professional before beginning treatment.

Trauma Treatment Program in Florida

If you’re looking for a trauma treatment program in Florida, consider Olympic Behavioral Health and our addiction treatment center in Florida.

The trauma treatment program uses some of the most advanced evidence-based treatments available. Our addiction treatment centers in Florida offer trauma-focused therapies as part of their programs.

These trauma treatment programs include our West Palm Beach, Florida, PHP program and the Florida IOP Program. Be sure you choose a program specializing in the dual diagnosis treatment and has experience addressing trauma-related issues. Search for programs that specialize in trauma treatment and accept your insurance. Verify your insurance coverage here, or call our admissions team at (561) 867-4329.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, or trauma, getting help is critical. The first step is to reach out to a medical professional or addiction treatment center, like the Olympic Behavioral Health addiction treatment program for trauma therapy in Florida, that can provide guidance and support. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength and courage.