Trauma is a word you may hear a lot, but what does it truly mean? Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting effects on your mental, emotional and physical well-being. It’s a complex issue that can impact you in a variety of ways. Trauma can can have different manifestations:

• Physical trauma — Physical trauma refers to injuries or physical harm caused by accidents, violence or medical procedures. These types of trauma include:
• Car accident
• Physical assault
• Burns
• Severe illness
• Emotional trauma — Deep emotional pain resulting from a loss, rejection, neglect or disappointment can cause emotional trauma. This can stem from events such as:
• Death of a loved one
• Divorce
• Bullying
• Racial injustice
• Psychological trauma — This refers to mental and emotional distress caused by traumatic events such as abuse, neglect or witnessing violence. Examples include:
• Childhood abuse
• Domestic violence
• Military combat
• Complex trauma — Complex trauma involves ongoing or repeated exposure to traumatic events, often happening in a familiar environment. This can be found in situations like:
• Domestic violence
• Child abuse
• War zones

The impact of trauma

The effects of trauma can be far reaching and long lasting. This is because of the impact trauma has on the brain and body. It can cause your body to get stuck in “fight-or-flight” mode, even when you’re not in any real danger. Consequences of trauma can include:

• Mental health challenges — Trauma can lead to the development of mental health conditions, such as:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Other mood disorders
• Physical health issues — Trauma can cause you to experience physical health issues, including:
• Chronic pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Weakened immune system
• Digestive problems
• Relationship difficulties — Experiencing trauma can wreak havoc on your relationships, causing problems like:
• Trust issues
• Isolation
• Difficulty forming healthy connections
• Difficulty coping with stress — Traumatic experiences can make it harder for you to cope with stress by causing:
• Increased sensitivity to triggers
• Overwhelming emotions
• Avoidance behaviors
• Changes in behavior or personality — Due to the difficulty of coping with stress, you may also see changes in your personality and behavior, such as:
• Withdrawal
• Aggression
• Substance use
• Difficulty concentrating

It’s important to remember that everyone reacts differently to trauma. If you’re struggling, it’s OK to ask for help. 

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder is a condition where someone continues to use a harmful substance despite negative consequences. People with substance use disorder can have a hard time controlling their use of the substance. They may keep using it even when it’s hurting their relationships, job or health. Some signs of substance use disorder include:

• Using more of the substance than planned
• Trying to cut down or stop using but failing
• Spending a lot of time getting, using or recovering from using the substance
• Neglecting other important things because of substance use
• Continuing to use even when it causes problems

Remember, substance use disorder is treatable, and there is help available to you. 

Trauma and substance use: A complex connection

Trauma and substance use can often be linked. Many people turn to substances as a way to help them cope with the pain and overwhelming emotions caused by their traumatic experiences. People who have experienced trauma are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorder. To understand why, it’s important to understand the connection between trauma and substance use:

• Self-medication — People may turn to substance use in an attempt to temporarily numb the emotional pain that can be associated with trauma. 
• Coping mechanism — Addiction to a substance can become a way to avoid dealing with difficult memories and emotions related to their traumatic experience. 
• Altered brain chemistry — Trauma has a lasting effect on the brain and can change how it responds to stressful situations. This changed response can make people more vulnerable to addiction. 

Trauma can make it harder for people to recover from addiction. People who have experienced trauma may:

• Have difficulty building trust in treatment — Due to the difficulty trusting people that can be caused by a traumatic experience, this can lead to a harder time making a connection with a therapist or support group. 
• Experience triggers — Reminders of the trauma can lead to an increased craving for the substance and the temporary relief it can provide. 
• Suffer from mental health conditions — Trauma can trigger mental health conditions like anxiety, depression or PTSD. These mental health conditions can make addiction worse. 

Not everyone who experiences trauma will develop a substance use disorder, and not everyone who has a substance use disorder experienced trauma. However, they can often go hand in hand. 

The dangerous link between trauma and substance use

The connection between trauma and substance use is a serious problem. When people use substances to cope with the pain of trauma, it can create a dangerous and vicious cycle. Here’s a glimpse into why the link between trauma and substance use is dangerous:

• Ignoring the problem — Turning to using a substance can feel like a quick fix, but it doesn’t solve the underlying issue.
• Causing addiction — Over time, substance use can turn into an addiction, making it even harder to deal with trauma. 
• Leading to health risks — Both trauma and substance use can cause harm to a person’s physical and mental health. 
• Losing opportunities — Getting caught up in the vicious cycle of trauma and addiction can prevent a person from reaching their full potential. 

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you are struggling with the cycle of trauma and substance use, there are people who can help you heal from trauma and overcome addiction. 

Lightfully can help you with healing from trauma and substance use

At Lightfully, we understand that healing from trauma and addiction is a journey. There are effective treatment options available that can help you on your path to recovery, including:

• Therapy — Talking with a therapist can provide you with valuable tools for coping with trauma and managing addiction. Your therapist may use a combination of components from evidence-based techniques like:
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavioral therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing 
• Medication — In some cases, medication may be prescribed and be helpful for managing symptoms of trauma or addiction. 
• Support groups — Getting connected with others who understand what you’re going through can be incredibly supportive and empowering. It can be helpful to be reminded that you’re not alone. 

Our deeply compassionate experts can provide a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. With a focus on whole-person-centered care, we offer a variety of levels of care to support you where you are on your journey to mental wellness. Healing takes time and patience. There is hope in recovery, and you don’t have to go on this journey alone. 

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.