Trauma Therapy Program at Alina Lodge
There are many reasons that people develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol. There is data that indicates that factors such as a family history of addiction or peer pressure can lead to a substance use disorder. However, many experts in the field agree that traumatic events are among the most common root causes of addiction.
At Alina Lodge in New Jersey, our team of experts in the field of addiction treatment believes that mental health treatment should be an integral part of the recovery process. We proudly offer a trauma therapy program as part of substance abuse treatment at Alina Lodge. If you are struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, our trauma treatment program can be an essential tool in your treatment plan for long-lasting recovery.
How Are Trauma and Addiction Related?
Trauma is defined as a behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury. Millions of people experience traumatic events every year. Some examples of common traumatic events include:
- Bullying
- Physical or sexual assault
- Unstable home life or parental neglect
- Natural disasters
- Intense pain or chronic disease
When people experience a traumatic event, it often causes immediate reactions of shock, denial, and anger. There are also long-term effects of trauma, such as:
- Unpredictable emotions
- Flashbacks
- Strained relationships
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Difficulty coping
To deal with these effects, some people turn to drugs or alcohol to numb their emotional pain. Soon, drug or alcohol use will most likely become an addiction. At Alina Lodge, our compassionate staff understands that drug or alcohol addiction is often a coping mechanism to deal with the wounds of past trauma. So, in order to treat an addiction, we must also examine past traumatic events.
What Is Trauma Therapy?
At Alina Lodge, trauma therapy is an important aspect of addiction treatment. There are four phases in our trauma therapy program, which are:
- Safety and grounding – During this phase of trauma treatment, you build a base of trust with your therapist.
- Disorder belief systems – Irrational and negative thought patterns are identified and resolved in this phase of trauma therapy.
- Reconnection and transitions – In this phase, role-playing is used to practice techniques that will be used in the “real world.”
- Future plans – This phase will focus on preventing relapses once you are back in your daily routine.
What Are the Benefits of Trauma Therapy?
The trauma therapy program at Alina Lodge is beneficial for many reasons, including:
- Re-establishes safety – Our trauma therapy program helps people redevelop the emotional and psychological safety that trauma may have damaged.
- Identifies triggers – Once you label the people or places that cause you to use drugs or alcohol, you can create ways to avoid them.
- Develops healthy coping skills – The Alina Lodge therapists will work with you to practice and implement techniques to deal with the stress of life in a healthy way.
- Decreases trauma symptoms – The trauma therapy program can help ease the emotional and physical effects of trauma.
- Creates support network – The therapists and addiction treatment specialists that you meet at Alina Lodge become a valuable source of support and encouragement during your time in treatment and beyond.
Heal the Causes of Addiction with Our Trauma Therapy Program
At Alina Lodge, our team recognizes the strong connection between trauma and addiction. When you are enrolled in any of our addiction treatment programs, therapy will be a fundamental component of your recovery.
If events from your past are fueling your addiction, we can help. Learn more about how our trauma therapy program can be the key to ending your dependence on drugs or alcohol. Contact our team today by calling 800.575.6343 or completing our confidential online form.
