Alone, addiction and trauma can be devastating mental health disorders, but where and when they eventually meet, tragedy lies.
The trajectory of trauma to addiction has some of the highest statistics. 80% of Vietnam War Veterans seeking addiction treatment have PTSD. 33% of individuals surviving abuse, a violent experience, or an accident develop a substance abuse problem. Victims of sexual assault are 4.5 times as likely to develop a substance abuse problem. The evidence of trauma causing or leading to a substance abuse problem is evident. However, it is also important to mention that substance abuse problems lead to risk-taking behaviors and increase the likelihood of experiencing a trauma or additional trauma.
Starbridge Recovery wants to break the cycle of addiction and trauma through our redesigned treatment program dedicated to supporting clients struggling with both. Contact us today to see if our program can help you.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a mental health disorder defined as “chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.” This means that even if the individual addicted to drugs or alcohol wanted to stop, they would be unable to because of the mental and physical impact drugs have on the body.
Drugs may be taken to feel good, to do better, to feel better, or out of curiosity and peer pressure. However, the problem with addiction is that drugs and alcohol impact the rewards center of the brain making it associate happy or better feelings with drugs and soon, the only way the body feels better or seems happy is when there are drugs in its system.
Addiction impacts everyone in the United States. 700 billion dollars is spent yearly on the treatment, physical and mental health care costs, lives lost, and crime related to drugs. Additionally, research indicates that 10% of all Americans will struggle with substance addiction at some point in their life.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma in a person is a response, a reaction. Trauma results from “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.”
Oftentimes individuals who have experienced a trauma will attempt to manage the symptoms or responses with substances.
Why Are Addiction and Trauma Treatment Necessary for a Full Recovery?
Addiction and trauma treatment are necessary for full long-term recovery because of trauma and addiction’s cyclical nature. Nearly 60% of young people who reported experiencing trauma grow up to have issues with substance abuse. Substance abuse increases the likelihood of being traumatized, which can lead to more frequent substance abuse. As an individual bounces between substances and trauma, things only continue to get progressively worse.
By combining trauma and addiction treatment, individuals can build a solid basis for support and stability with their mental and physical health. Rehabilitation centers that are able to support clients with dual diagnosis disorders of trauma or PTSD and addiction, like Starbridge Recovery, are medically trained to support the emotional healing of trauma and addiction.
How Can Starbridge Recovery Help?
Starbridge Recovery is devoted to supporting clients through their darkest times. Our medically trained clinicians and counselors are prepared to support not only addiction but additional mental health disorders like trauma, PTSD, bipolar, depression, and mood and personality disorders. Through this process we develop an individually tailored treatment plan to meet the needs of each client.
At Starbridge Recovery we work to provide the best traditional evidence-based practices and most supportive unique therapies to address mental health disorders. Adding alternative therapies to the mix, we provide clients the opportunity to work on healing their body along with their mind. Our luxury facility offers an on-site pool, gym, common areas, and recreation areas. Our semi-private lodging offers the opportunity for clients to reflect and refocus their life goals.
At Starbridge Recovery, we are redefining rehabilitation and treatment, because you’re worth it. Contact us today to see how our comprehensive treatment programs can support your journey of recovery.