Trauma impacts people in a variety of ways. In fact, it can influence a person’s development of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Because of this, just getting sober may not be everything that is needed when it comes to getting help. Our trauma therapy in Atlanta program helps people deal with the reality of how trauma impacts their lives. We show people how to make the connection between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders. From there, they discover a clearer path to becoming sober for life.
What is Trauma Therapy?
Trauma therapy specifically targets the needs of someone who has experienced trauma. They may have gone through one event, such as a natural disaster, or an ongoing series of events, such as abuse. The incidents may have happened recently or as far back as early childhood. Events that qualify as trauma include:
- Physical or sexual assault
- Domestic abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Childhood neglect
- The death of a loved one
- Natural disasters, including hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and more
- Events participated in or witnessed during military service or acts of war
- Bullying
- Divorce
- Prolonged medical illness or injury
- Civil unrest, such as riots
- School or workplace shootings
Trauma therapy in Atlanta targets the resulting mental and emotional devastation caused by living through trauma.
How Does Trauma Therapy Work?
Often, many people aren’t even aware that they experienced something that falls under the heading of trauma. Trauma therapy in Atlanta begins by helping each person understand how trauma has impacted their life. Therapy sessions are conducted by our team who use their experience to help people overcome the damage trauma has done to their lives.
Many people with (PTSD) feel shame, guilt, or embarrassment about what they went through. Additionally, they may feel similarly about their inability to cope with the traumatic events. Our team works with clients to show them how to minimize and even overcome many of the symptoms of PTSD. For many, the effects of trauma become part of their past as they move into the present and meaningful, peaceful futures.
Signs and Symptoms of Trauma + PTSD
When a person suffers from trauma and develops PTSD, certain signs and symptoms will occur. Common ones include the following:
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Having nightmares
- Feeling anxious, depressed, or agitated
- Mood swings
- Cognitive difficulties
- Avoiding people, places, or situations related to memories of trauma
- Easily startled
- Having flashbacks
- Suicidal feelings or impulses
- Abusing drugs or alcohol
Many people who experience trauma find symptoms of its surface in physical health problems. This can include headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. These symptoms cannot otherwise be tied to an actual medical problem.
The Connection Between Trauma and Addiction
When a person experiences trauma, the resulting side effects can be quite difficult to bear. For this reason, many people end up self-medicating with alcohol and drugs to try to feel better. When this bad habit continues, it can turn into a substance use disorder. Someone who needs help processing and healing from trauma and also has an addiction needs the kind of help that can address both issues at the same time.
A study showed that people who have both a substance use disorder and PTSD are at an increased risk for developing other co-occurring conditions and difficulties. These include psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, suicidality, and increased morbidity. Additionally, the existence of both disorders can cause difficulty in enjoying typical social lives and consistent employment.
Types of Trauma Therapy
Through a variety of types of trauma therapy, people learn to develop power within themselves. They understand that while their past may have had a tremendous negative impact on them, it does not have to define them. They have the ability to improve their self-esteem and enjoy better connections with their loved ones.
Our trauma therapy in Atlanta uses up-to-date, effective types of therapy that help people with both PTSD and addiction. We help the individual process their trauma while also learning to become sober. The more improved their emotional side becomes, the less they feel a need to rely on substances. At the same time, as they become sober, they feel better able to process their trauma with a clear head and move on from it.
Benefits of Trauma Therapy in Atlanta
When it comes to healing from trauma, there isn’t just one type of therapy a person should use. In fact, engaging in multiple therapy modalities improves a person’s ability to move past their PTSD and addiction. The types of trauma therapy we offer include:
- Adventure therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Red light therapy
Other Services Offered
We offer several types of services to help treat addiction. Each of the programs that are part of our trauma therapy in Atlanta is done on an outpatient basis. This means the treatment sessions take place during the daytime. This allows people to avoid checking into a residential facility, which makes it easier for them to still attend to the needs of their daily lives.
Our treatment options include Outpatient Programs, Intensive Outpatient Programs, Partial Hospitalization Programs, and an Aftercare program. As well, we offer a Women’s Program and a Men’s Program. An initial assessment by our admission team will help us determine which program is best for each person’s specific needs.
Find Trauma Therapy in Atlanta
Have you been through something traumatic, either recently or long ago? Do you also struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol? If so, the two may be connected. Often, when someone experiences trauma, they end up self-medicating with drugs and alcohol in order to cope. Peachtree Recovery Solutions helps people make this connection. As a result, we can treat both substance use disorders and trauma. Our outpatient trauma therapy in Atlanta program provides valuable resources that help you move past trauma and addiction simultaneously.
If you would like more information, please visit our admissions page now. We can help you get started healing right away.