Compulsive Behaviors such as gambling, pornography, sex, shopping, can hijack parts of the brain and manipulate the brain into believing that something harmful is necessary for functioning. It most strongly affects the limbic system and the reward system part of the brain. As a result, cravings, desire for reward, begin to happen and hazardous habits can result in maladaptive, painful, harmful compulsive behaviors with long term consequences Numerous studies have examined the consequences of compulsive behaviors with gambling, shopping, sex, love, pornography, internet, exercise, work, and food. Trauma informed therapy, and getting to the roots of these destructive behaviors is one of the most effective methods of treating and healing from these maladaptive patterns
Unfortunately, treating only the compulsive behavior is often not enough to stop the behavior from recurring.The methods present in these types of facilities can greatly vary but generally don’t have the scope of insight and expertise as the Trauma and Beyond team for healing the developmental and complex trauma underlying these compulsive behaviors. In the next section,
Why Traditional Treatment may be Ineffective
Traditional compulsive behavioral treatment is often ineffective because it does not uncover the roots. Instead, many treatment and rehabilitation centers focus on eliminating only maladaptive behaviors. Of course, the active use must stop before trauma work can begin, but the two must be linked together so that one follows the other.
Here is an example of why this sort of treatment doesn’t always work. If a person who is morbidly obese and has several health conditions visits their physician, they will likely be told that they need to change their current eating habits if they want to survive.
The physician may even be puzzled as to why that person continues to destroy their body. We believe that underneath their abuse of food is trauma experiences that have this person using the only method they know to feel safe or soothe themselves which is food. Without proper treatment they are likely to continue their same lifestyle, and unfortunately, such as with diabetes issues, they may perish as a result of their lifestyle.
In the same way, it can be confusing to see a person struggle with an addiction. But from the viewpoint of trauma therapy and developmental trauma understanding, it makes sense that the addict can’t just stop being an addict without uncovering and healing the underlying issue behind the addiction. We can reasonable surmise that the morbidly obese person in the previous example is likely suffering from either depression or an eating disorder.
Similarly, people struggling with addictions also could be facing problems that are causing them to abuse harmful substances. We believe, and countless studies prove, that this level of understanding can positively impact the lives of those fighting addictions on a daily basis.
Why Trauma Informed Therapy Works
Again, when someone is being deeply affected by an addiction, it makes sense to treat the addiction. After all, the addiction is clearly unhealthy and affecting a patient’s mental health and well being.
However, when the underlying causes of an addiction aren’t identified, they will remain. This means that even when a person is “clean”, they may resort back to previous behavior if certain triggers exist. Unfortunately, addiction triggers like depression and anger exist in every environment. This simply means that anyone who has successfully received treatment can still revert if they are triggered.
For this reason, trauma informed therapy, such as is offered at Trauma and Beyond Center ® is a well sought-after form of treatment for those suffering with an addiction. Here are the benefits of speaking to a trauma informed therapist about your condition.
Reestablishing Safety
An addiction is defined as a traumatic event. Addictions can completely obliterate a person’s sense of safety. The purpose of trauma informed therapy is to assist individuals in redeveloping psychological, emotional, and relational senses of safety.
Identifying Triggers
Participating in trauma informed therapy can help people identify, understand, explore, express, and confront feelings and memories relating to their addiction. Once these triggers are identified and nulled, the healing process can formally begin.
Developing Healthy Coping Skills
Dissolving triggers of addiction precedes the step of helping patients develop healthy coping skills. People suffering with addictions need to accept their conditions and learn healthy ways to prevent maladaptive coping strategies from reoccurring in the future.
Decreasing Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Trauma informed therapy can effectively reduce mental health symptoms association with addiction. This can decrease occurrences such as disassociation, anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, and trauma-related guilt and shame.
Processing and Integrating Trauma – The end-goal of trauma informed therapy is to help people regain control and empowerment to assist them in re-narrating their story in the future.
Trauma Informed Therapy Near Me: How We Can Help!
Trauma informed therapy is one of the most effective methods of treating addictions. Fortunately, our team of therapists at Trauma and Beyond ® are thoroughly trained to administer this kind of treatment.
At Trauma and Beyond Center ® we take pride in positively affecting the lives of our patients, and you can rely on us to find the underlying issues of an addiction belonging to either you or a loved one. Give us a call today at 818-651-0725 to learn more about how we can help you!
