Addiction often does not begin with substance use. Before a person turns to substances, there may be a history of unexplained or untreated emotional suffering and trauma. This trauma may be the deep, painful wound that underlies and fuels an addiction, often in ways that a person is not aware of. Combined, these can lead to co-occurring conditions. Knowing how trauma and addiction are connected is crucial to tackling both and healing from multiple conditons.
Addiction without treating the core pain that may drive a person to use substances as a way to cope is not a full or sustainable recovery.
Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment in Malibu
At Rise in Malibu, we help individuals experience a full recovery by addressing both trauma and addiction at the same time. Our trauma-informed addiction treatment programs are a blend of proven therapy, integrative healing, and a serene, restorative setting. This enables our clients to heal both their mind and body, leading to lasting transformation.
Explore Our Trauma-Focused Recovery Programs
Explore the complex relationship between addiction and trauma, from trauma’s impact on the brain and behavior, to why healing must focus on both issues.
Understanding How Trauma and Addiction are Connected
What Is Trauma
Trauma is the physical and emotional response to an event or series of events that is so stressful or painful that a person’s normal coping skills are overwhelmed or destroyed. For some people, trauma is the result of a single, devastating event like a natural disaster, accident, or the loss of a loved one. For others, trauma is the result of enduring prolonged stress, like a difficult childhood or ongoing abuse.
Trauma can also be the result of indirect exposure to events like a community tragedy, crime, or disaster. No matter the cause, trauma’s effects can last long after the event has passed. It can lead to a variety of mental and physical health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can also be difficult to detect. This is because while the memory of a traumatic event may fade, the trauma itself does not simply disappear. In many cases, a person with trauma will feel constantly on edge or disconnected from others.
Unaddressed trauma often leads to self-medication, which is the use of drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the pain. This coping mechanism can lead to drug or alcohol use disorder (addiction).
How Trauma and Addiction Are Connected
Trauma and addiction have a strong correlation, and this is well supported by research and data. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has found that:
- The majority of people in addiction treatment report experiencing trauma at some point in their lives.
- Substances are frequently used as a way to cope with or self-medicate the effects of trauma. For example, drugs or alcohol can be used to help people escape negative emotions or to make them feel numb.
- Trauma can make it more likely for a person to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. In a study published in 2018, the relationship between substance misuse and adverse childhood experiences was demonstrated.
- Trauma may have lasting consequences on the areas of the brain that influence how an individual deals with stress and how they experience pleasure.
While trauma and addiction can be related, it is important to note that not all people who experience trauma will develop addiction, and not all people with addiction have a history of trauma. If you or someone you love has both, trauma-informed care that addresses both is essential to long-lasting recovery.
The Numbers Behind Trauma and Addiction
SAMHSA conducted a large study on trauma and substance misuse and came to some important conclusions.
- Approximately 50 percent of people with PTSD also have substance use disorder.
- Research from 2018 shows that people who experience four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are 12 times more likely to misuse substances.
- Over 70 percent of people in addiction treatment have experienced trauma.
As such, it is important that addiction treatment is trauma-informed.
Trauma Focused Recovery Programs
How Rise Malibu Supports Recovery
Trauma and addiction are complex conditions that must be treated with an understanding of both disorders. At Rise in Malibu, we take a trauma-informed approach to addiction recovery to ensure a safe, stable, and lasting recovery.
Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment
Our addiction recovery programs are holistic and designed to address the mind and body. We do so in an environment that is calm and restorative. This includes:
- We use a trauma-informed model of care that starts with understanding. Our treatment is built on three pillars: safety, trust, and respect.
- Therapies that are evidence-based and tailored to the individual’s needs and experiences, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
- A strong connection to nature and the outdoors as a form of therapy.
- Nutritious meals made from fresh, local ingredients and time to enjoy them in a peaceful setting.
- Holistic therapies and integrative practices include acupuncture and breathwork.
- A diverse staff of experienced, compassionate professionals who understand trauma and addiction.
As part of our trauma-informed addiction treatment, our staff, which includes our medical director, ensures that every aspect of your treatment is transparent and understood before starting.
Comprehensive Healing
Treating trauma and addiction together is essential to long-lasting healing. Not only will this ensure a full recovery, but the team at Rise in Malibu can help you gain a sense of empowerment and control that may have been missing in your life before treatment. Our focus on comprehensive healing includes:
- Healing the body: yoga, breathwork, fitness, acupuncture, and other practices to reduce stress and calm the nervous system
- Mindfulness and awareness practices that build emotional resilience
- Creative and experiential therapies that help you express your emotions in healthy, new ways
- Nutrition and fitness to improve overall health and energy levels
- Self-care practices that you can take with you long after you leave our beautiful setting
One-on-One and Personalized Care
Addiction and trauma are different for everyone. It is for this reason that each person’s treatment plan at Rise in Malibu is different. Our program is person-centered, and we go at the pace that you need. If you need time to heal, we will be here for as long as you need.
Discreet and Confidential Treatment
Addiction and trauma are sensitive issues. For this reason, we have a strong focus on privacy, discretion, and confidentiality. This means:
- Private room and bath with ensuite showers and an outdoor deck
- Fully confidential programming in a beautiful setting in Malibu
- All staff uphold the highest professional and ethical standards
- Comfort and relaxation to promote healing in a non-stressful environment
- Food, fitness, and self-care tools to use at any stage of your recovery
A Peaceful and Supportive Setting
We firmly believe that the environment has a major impact on a person’s recovery. For this reason, the setting at Rise in Malibu is designed to be supportive, calm, and restorative. There are two distinct locations.
Asheville
Our main facility is in Asheville, North Carolina, near the Blue Ridge Mountains and amidst some of the most diverse, stunning nature in the country.
Malibu
We also offer programming at an exclusive, luxury spa resort in Malibu, California.
A Private and Luxurious Spa
If you’re attending Rise in Malibu for a trauma-informed addiction recovery program, you are welcome to take advantage of the various self-care and wellness services available at our exclusive partner in Malibu. The full range of services at this luxury spa resort includes:
- Luxurious hot tub and jacuzzi
- Steam room and sauna
- Access to our signature Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in a private room
- Customized fitness programs for an outdoor setting
- Private yoga and meditation classes
- Luxurious rooms with private balconies and in-room bathrooms
- Easy access to hiking, running, biking, surfing, and other outdoor recreation
- Art and music classes
On top of this, you have access to a full range of healthy and nutritious meals, from farm-to-table lunches and dinners to the healing garden, to mindful practices like yoga and meditation.
Hope for the Future
The relationship between addiction and trauma is a complicated one that can be challenging to overcome without the proper help. But there is always hope. At Rise in Malibu, we believe in an individualized approach to healing that gives you the chance to recover fully by using proven, trauma-informed therapies.
Connect With Rise Malibu
Connect with Rise Malibu for compassionate, trauma-informed addiction treatment programs. Contact us today to find out more about our approach and to see how we can help. We are here to help you or your loved one recover from addiction and achieve lasting healing.
