Trauma and Addiction:
Understanding Their Connection and Pathways to Recovery

Explore the link between trauma and addiction and find trauma-informed, compassionate treatment options and care at New Life Recovery in Fresno, CA.

June 3, 2025

Written and reviewed by the clinical team at New Life Recovery in Fresno, California, including licensed therapists, medical professionals, and recovery specialists committed to helping individuals build healthier futures.

What This Page Covers

In this guide on the relationship between trauma and addiction, expect to gain an understanding of:

Definition of Trauma and Addiction: The two often occur together, with trauma increasing the risk of substance use disorder.
Causes and Risk Factors: Substance use may begin as a way to cope with painful emotions and memories, but it can lead to dependence.
Healing From Trauma and Addiction: Healing requires treating both trauma and addiction together using evidence-based therapies and holistic care.
Effective Treatments: Holistic practices, such as yoga, art therapy, and meditation, support emotional and physical wellness during recovery.
Treatment at New Life Recovery: New Life Recovery offers comprehensive, integrated treatment on one campus to provide continuous support. Connect with us today.

Understanding How Trauma Influences Addiction and Recovery

Trauma can have a lasting impact on a person’s emotional and mental well-being, often shaping behaviors profoundly. Many individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) have experienced trauma, whether from abuse, neglect, loss, or other deeply distressing events.

This unresolved pain can drive people to seek relief through substances, creating a cycle where trauma and addiction feed into each other.

What is Trauma and Addiction?

Trauma and addiction occur when an individual experiences something traumatic in their lifetime and develops an addiction as a way to cope with the psychological and emotional distress of it.

Over time, symptoms can worsen and addiction can become more severe, making it more difficult to heal.

Trauma’s Impact on Vulnerability to SUD

Trauma, whether it happened recently or years ago, can profoundly affect a person’s emotional health and increase the risk of developing SUD. These experiences can alter how the brain processes stress and emotions, making it harder to cope with everyday challenges without turning to substances.

Using Substances as a Coping Mechanism for Trauma

Many individuals turn to drugs or alcohol to manage the overwhelming emotions and distress caused by traumatic memories. While substances might offer temporary relief, this coping method often deepens the struggle, as it doesn’t address the root cause of pain.

Understanding Trauma and Addiction Together Is Crucial for Recovery

Our substance use disorder day treatment programs help you stay grounded, connected, and supported as you move forward in recovery.

Trauma and Addiction Treatment at New Life Recovery

At New Life Recovery in Fresno, California, we recognize that healing from substance use disorder requires addressing the root causes, including trauma. Our trauma-informed approach ensures that each person receives gentle care tailored to their unique experiences.

By integrating evidence-based therapies alongside holistic treatments, we help clients process trauma, develop healthy coping skills, and rebuild their lives with hope and resilience. Understanding this connection is the first step toward breaking free from the cycle and embracing a renewed, fulfilling life.

How Does Trauma Lead to Substance Use?

Research indicates that approximately 75% of individuals with a substance use disorder have experienced trauma at some point in their lives.¹

Unresolved trauma often leaves people carrying deep emotional wounds that interfere with how they cope with everyday life. These wounds may come from a single painful event or repeated exposure to distress, such as abuse, neglect, or violence.

When the brain is overwhelmed and cannot fully process these experiences, emotions like fear, shame, and sadness can feel impossible to manage. Without healthy resilience tools or supportive relationships, individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to numb the pain or quiet their thoughts.

Using Substances to Escape Pain

For many who have experienced trauma, substance use begins as a form of self-soothing. Drugs and alcohol can dull emotional pain, quiet intrusive thoughts, or create a temporary feeling of calm.

In this way, substance use can become a form of protection from emotions and memories that feel too difficult to face.

While that relief might feel real, it only covers up deeper wounds. As time passes, the brain begins to associate substances with comfort, making it increasingly difficult to process complex emotions without them. What started as a short-term coping mechanism often becomes a long-term struggle.

When Coping Turns Into Dependence

As substance use continues, the difference between coping and dependency can begin to blur. Many individuals do not realize how much they rely on substances to get through the day until they notice the effects on their physical health, relationships, and emotional well-being.

The brain and body adapt to the substance, requiring a higher dose to achieve the same result. This deepens the cycle of dependence, making it harder to stop.

This is why effective recovery needs to address the emotional wounds of trauma and the physical aspects of substance use. Treating one without the other leaves the root issues unresolved and raises the risk of returning to substance use disorder or emotional stagnation.

Healing Begins with Compassionate Support

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that individuals with four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are seven to ten times more likely to use illegal drugs and become addicted.²

Proper recovery starts with understanding. At New Life Recovery, we meet each person with empathy and a trauma-informed approach that addresses the cause and the consequence of substance use.

Importance of Combined Care for Trauma and Addiction

Successful recovery requires addressing all the challenges a person faces. When the emotional wounds from trauma are left unhealed, efforts to overcome substance use often struggle.

An integrated treatment approach targets both the emotional impact of trauma and the physical and behavioral aspects of addiction.

This dual focus breaks the cycle that traps many dealing with trauma and addiction, paving the way for lasting healing and a renewed sense of hope.

Evidence-Based Therapies That Support Healing

Trauma-informed care provides a safe space where individuals can gently confront painful memories without judgment. At New Life Recovery, we offer therapies grounded in proven research. These approaches work together to address both trauma and addiction, fostering deep emotional recovery.

Our trauma-informed treatment includes a diverse range of evidence-based therapies, including:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress and substance use.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) combines cognitive strategies with mindfulness to improve emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) uses guided eye movements to help the brain reprocess and reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories.
Motivational interviewing helps individuals resolve ambivalence about change. By exploring personal motivations and reinforcing the desire to improve, MI increases commitment to recovery and is a crucial tool for treatment in dual diagnosis care.
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) helps individuals identify irrational beliefs and replace them with healthier, more rational thoughts. This can help reduce the emotional distress that drives mental health symptoms and substance use behaviors.
Schema therapy focuses on identifying and healing deeply rooted negative patterns (schemas) formed in early life that influence current behaviors and emotional reactions.

Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR help reframe harmful thoughts and reduce the emotional distress caused by trauma. Studies show that EMDR therapy can reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms by up to 77%, making it a powerful tool in the healing journey.³

Holistic Practices for Mind and Body Wellness

At New Life Recovery, healing from trauma and addiction is supported by comprehensive, holistic therapies that nurture the mind, body, and spirit:⁴

Mindfulness teaches clients to focus on the present moment with acceptance. It helps reduce anxiety and intrusive thoughts often linked with trauma, allowing individuals to respond to stress with greater calm and clarity.
Yoga integrates gentle physical movement with breath control and meditation. It improves flexibility, strength, and balance while releasing tension and promoting relaxation.
Infrared sauna sessions promote deep relaxation and detoxification by gently raising the body’s core temperature.
Cold plunge therapy involves submerging the body in cold water to promote healing and well-being. This therapy reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and releases endorphins, thereby fostering mindfulness and emotional regulation.
Massage therapy involves manipulating soft tissues to promote relaxation and physical well-being. In dual diagnosis treatment, it helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while easing physical discomfort linked to withdrawal or mental health conditions.
Vocational training provides education and support to help clients develop career goals, prepare resumes, and improve job readiness, increasing their chances of long-term success and stability.

By integrating these holistic therapies with clinical treatment, New Life Recovery supports a balanced approach that enhances overall well-being and fosters a lasting recovery from trauma and addiction.

Comprehensive Care All in One Place

Recovering from trauma and addiction is often a challenging journey, but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or lonely. At New Life Recovery, we offer a comprehensive range of care on a single, supportive campus, right in the heart of Central Valley, California.

From medical detox to inpatient treatment, and through outpatient programs and aftercare, we walk alongside each person every step of the way.⁵

Learning New Ways to Cope

We focus on helping you develop healthier coping strategies that replace harmful habits. Life’s challenges don’t have to lead to substance use. We teach practical skills so you can manage stress, anxiety, and complicated feelings without relying on drugs or alcohol.

These new tools help you feel more in control and ready to face everyday struggles confidently.

Healing From the Inside Out

Healing means addressing both the trauma and addiction at their roots. Our approach rewires your brain’s reward system to respond to natural, positive experiences rather than substances. This rewiring helps reduce cravings and builds emotional resilience.

Over time, you’ll feel more balanced and better equipped to enjoy life without artificial highs.

Finding Joy in Life Again

Recovery is about rediscovering what truly brings you joy. Whether through hobbies, connections, or personal growth, we encourage you to explore natural ways to boost your mood.

These healthy “dopamine dealers” replace the false comfort of addiction with genuine happiness. With support and practice, joy becomes part of your everyday life.

Living the “Love Your Life” Way

We believe everyone deserves a life filled with meaning and fulfillment. Our “Love Your Life” motto reflects our commitment to helping you build lasting happiness from within. By embracing natural highs and prioritizing your well-being, you become your own source of motivation and strength.

Together, we’ll guide you to rewrite your story, one natural high at a time.

You Are Not Alone

If trauma and addiction are weighing you down, remember that help is here. Many people face these challenges, and reaching out is a brave first step.

At New Life Recovery, we understand the pain and confusion you may be feeling, and we want you to know that you don’t have to face this journey alone.

Empathetic Care Tailored for You

Our team comprises experienced professionals who genuinely care. We offer integrated, trauma-informed treatment designed to meet your unique needs. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be treated with respect, empathy, and understanding as we work together toward healing.

Reach Out When You’re Ready

Whenever you feel ready, we’re here to support you. Contact New Life Recovery in Fresno, California, to explore our full range of treatment options and find the program that fits your journey. Healing begins with a straightforward decision, and we’re honored to walk alongside you.

Connect with us online for help with trauma and addiction. Together, we can build a life you love.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are questions our team is commonly asked about trauma and addiction:

What makes trauma-informed care different from traditional addiction treatment?

Trauma-informed care recognizes how trauma impacts behavior and recovery. It focuses on creating a safe, supportive environment where emotional wounds can be addressed alongside addiction rather than treating substance use alone.

How long does trauma-informed addiction treatment typically last?

The duration varies depending on individual needs but often includes a combination of medical detox, inpatient care, outpatient programs, and aftercare, ensuring ongoing support throughout every stage of recovery.

How does New Life Recovery address co-occurring mental health disorders alongside trauma and addiction?

New Life Recovery offers integrated treatment that simultaneously tackles mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, using evidence-based therapies tailored to each person’s unique needs.

What qualifications do New Life Recovery therapists and staff in Fresno, California, have in trauma and addiction treatment?

The team includes licensed therapists, addiction specialists, and medical professionals trained specifically in trauma-informed and evidence-based addiction treatment methods.

How can someone in Fresno, California, access New Life Recovery’s trauma-informed addiction treatment services?

Residents of Fresno and nearby areas can contact New Life Recovery directly at 559-717-5433 or reach to schedule an assessment and begin personalized treatment on their local campus.

Trauma & PTSD