Understanding Trauma:
Overall Impact on Well-Being
Understanding trauma is the first step toward whole-person recovery. Learn more about trauma, its impacts, and how to rise above it here.
Table of Contents
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.
Understanding Trauma and How It Affects Mental Health
Trauma is a deeply distressing and disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. It can stem from a single event, such as an accident or assault, or prolonged exposure to adversity, like childhood neglect or abuse.1
Trauma affects the brain’s stress response, often leading to long-term emotional and psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Left unaddressed, it can shape how individuals perceive the world, relationships, and themselves.
The Connection Between Trauma and Well-Being
For many, substance misuse becomes a way to numb the pain of unresolved trauma.
The brain’s reward system, which naturally reinforces positive behaviors, may become drastically altered over time to seek relief through drugs or alcohol instead of healthier coping mechanisms.
This cycle often leads to dependency, reinforcing patterns of avoidance rather than healing. Without addressing and understanding trauma, long-term recovery can feel out of reach.
Why Trauma-Informed Care is Essential in Recovery
Healing from substance use disorder (SUD) requires more than just abstaining from substances—it requires an approach that acknowledges and addresses past trauma without contributing to triggers.
Trauma-informed care ensures individuals feel safe, supported, and empowered throughout their recovery.
New Life Recovery provides a path to true transformation by integrating evidence-based therapies, trauma-informed support, and holistic practices into understanding (and overcoming) trauma.
Our Fresno-based team is here to ensure you get the very best care, every step of the way throughout your journey.
Understanding Trauma: Types of Trauma and Their Effects
Trauma is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It manifests differently, shaping how individuals process emotions, interact with the world, and cope with stress. Understanding the various types of trauma is essential to providing effective, personalized care.
Some of the most common types of trauma include:2
Acute Trauma: The Impact of a Single Event
Acute trauma occurs after a single distressing event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, or physical assault. These events can trigger an immediate fight-or-flight response, leaving individuals feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or shocked.
While some may recover naturally over time, others experience lingering symptoms, including flashbacks, heightened anxiety, or difficulty trusting others.
Chronic Trauma: The Toll of Repeated Stress
Unlike acute trauma, chronic trauma results from prolonged exposure to distressing circumstances. This may include ongoing abuse, domestic violence, or living in a war zone.
Because the nervous system remains in a constant state of high alert, chronic trauma can lead to long-term emotional dysregulation, depression, and even physical health problems such as heart disease and immune system dysfunction.
Complex Trauma: Layers of Wounds
Complex trauma occurs when an individual experiences multiple or prolonged traumatic events, often beginning in childhood. Examples include severe neglect, repeated abuse, or exposure to extreme instability.
Those with complex trauma may struggle with self-worth, interpersonal relationships, and emotional regulation. They may also be more susceptible to substance use, using drugs or alcohol to suppress deep-seated emotional pain.
Lasting Effects of Trauma
Trauma fundamentally alters the brain’s stress response system. The amygdala, responsible for processing fear, becomes overactive, leading to heightened anxiety and hypervigilance.3
Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain that regulates emotions and decision-making – becomes less effective, making it harder to process emotions rationally.
This dysregulation often leads to:
- Emotional instability: Unpredictable mood swings, difficulty managing stress
- Anxiety and hypervigilance: Constant feelings of fear or being on edge
- Substance use as self-medication: Attempting to regulate emotions through drugs or alcohol
Understanding Trauma: Link Between Trauma and SUD
Trauma and SUD are deeply intertwined. Research shows that about 75% of individuals with an SUD also have a history of trauma.4
Without understanding trauma and how it can be responsible for substance use disorders or other struggles, breaking free from symptoms can feel impossible.
Self-Medication: A Temporary Escape
For those who have experienced trauma, substances can provide temporary relief from overwhelming emotions such as fear, guilt, and shame. Alcohol, opioids, and stimulants can all dull emotional pain, suppress anxiety, or create a false sense of security.
However, this cycle of self-medication only deepens the problem, leading to physical dependence and worsening mental health symptoms over time.
PTSD and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most common trauma-related conditions linked to SUD. Symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance make daily life feel unbearable.
Many individuals turn to substances as a way to cope with PTSD over time, leading to a dangerous cycle of avoidance and dependence.
Other co-occurring mental health conditions that often develop alongside trauma include:
- Anxiety disorders: Persistent worry, panic attacks, and social withdrawal
- Depression: Feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and loss of interest in life
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD): Intense emotions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors
Why Addressing and Understanding Trauma is Key to Long-Term Recovery
Traditional SUD treatment alone is not enough for those with a history of trauma. Without understanding trauma and implementing strategic healing tactics, individuals may struggle to maintain sobriety, as the root cause of their substance use remains unaddressed.
At New Life Recovery, we integrate trauma-informed therapy with SUD treatment, providing a safe space where individuals can process past experiences, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuild a sense of self-worth.
By helping others with the process of understanding trauma and facilitating further healing, we empower individuals to achieve sustainable recovery – one rooted in resilience, self-awareness, and authentic connection.
Understanding Trauma: Trauma-Informed Care in SUD Recovery
True healing begins when individuals feel safe, understood, and empowered. Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”, acknowledging the deep connection between past trauma, SUD, and mental health struggles.
This approach ensures effective and compassionate treatment, creating a foundation for lasting recovery. Trauma-informed intervention approaches have reduced PTSD symptoms in 11 out of 23 studies, significantly improving recovery outcomes.5
Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is built on principles that foster healing rather than retraumatization. These include:6
- Safety: Creating a physically and emotionally secure environment where individuals feel protected and supported.
- Empowerment: Encouraging autonomy and self-advocacy in the recovery process.
- Collaboration: Building strong, trusting relationships between clients and providers, ensuring treatment is a partnership rather than a directive.
- Cultural sensitivity: Recognizing how trauma affects individuals and tailoring treatment to their unique needs.
Therapies for Healing and Understanding Trauma
Effective trauma recovery requires specialized therapeutic approaches designed to help individuals process and release painful experiences.
Some of the most impactful trauma-focused therapies include:7
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A structured therapy that helps individuals reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Identifies and reshapes negative thought patterns that stem from trauma, fostering healthier coping mechanisms.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills, essential for those with trauma-related disorders like PTSD and bipolar disorder.
- Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT): Focuses on challenging irrational beliefs and thought patterns, promoting healthier, more constructive ways of thinking and reacting to stressors, often used in trauma recovery.
- Traumatic incident reduction therapy (TIR): A therapeutic process that helps individuals revisit and reprocess traumatic events in a controlled, supportive environment, reducing their emotional impact and promoting healing.
Holistic Approaches to Heal the Mind, Body, and Spirit
Trauma affects every aspect of a person’s being – mental, physical, and emotional. Holistic therapies provide additional support for healing and understanding trauma by calming the nervous system and reconnecting individuals with their bodies in a healthy way.
Some of these include:
- Mindfulness and meditation: Helps individuals stay present, reducing the grip of past trauma.
- Yoga and breathwork: Encourages body awareness and relaxation, counteracting trauma’s physiological effects.
- Art and music therapy: Provides non-verbal outlets for processing deep emotions and trauma-related stress.
Steps Toward Healing from Trauma
Healing from trauma is a journey, not a destination. It requires patience, self-compassion, and the right support system. By addressing past wounds in a safe and structured way, individuals can break free from cycles of pain and substance use, reclaiming a life of authenticity and resilience.
Recognizing and Understanding Trauma: Past and Present
The first step in healing is acknowledging that trauma exists. Many individuals downplay or dismiss their experiences, believing they should “just move on.” However, unprocessed trauma can manifest in anxiety, depression, SUD, and emotional dysregulation.
Recognizing past trauma means:
- Understanding its impact: Acknowledging how past experiences shape thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
- Practicing self-compassion: Letting go of self-blame and embracing the reality that healing is a process.
- Identifying triggers: Becoming aware of people, places, or situations that reignite traumatic responses.
Seeking Professional Therapy and Support Systems
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Professional support is crucial in navigating and understanding trauma safely and effectively.
Key resources include:
- Trauma-focused therapy: Modalities like EMDR and DBT provide structured approaches to reprocessing traumatic experiences.
- Support groups: Connecting with others who have experienced trauma fosters validation and a sense of belonging.
- Safe and supportive environments: Whether it’s family, close friends, or recovery communities, surrounding oneself with understanding individuals can make all the difference.
Coping Strategies to Manage Triggers
Unhealed trauma often leads to automatic emotional responses – fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Learning to regulate emotions and healthily manage distress is essential for recovery.
Effective coping strategies include:
- Grounding techniques: Practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, and sensory awareness help bring individuals back to the present moment.
- Healthy outlets: Engaging in journaling, exercise, art, and music provides constructive ways to process emotions.
- Self-regulation skills: Building emotional resilience through meditation, self-care routines, and relaxation exercises prevents trauma from overwhelming the nervous system.
How New Life Recovery Can Help With Understanding Trauma
Healing from trauma requires more than just willpower – it takes the right environment, professional guidance, and a personalized approach to care.
At New Life Recovery, we provide a trauma-informed treatment model that addresses the emotional wounds of the past and the path forward toward long-term recovery.
We’re here to help you reclaim a life you love.
A Trauma-Informed Approach to SUD and Mental Health Treatment
We understand that SUD and mental health challenges are often rooted in unresolved trauma. Our program prioritizes safety and trust, creating a secure space where individuals feel heard and empowered throughout their journey to understanding trauma and healing.
We acknowledge the impact of trauma and address past experiences with sensitivity and clinical expertise. Our focus is on fostering empowerment and healing, encouraging individuals to regain control of their lives through personalized care.
The Integration of Evidence-Based and Holistic Therapies
Our treatment includes evidence-based therapies such as EMDR, CBT, and DBT, which help reprocess trauma, change harmful thought patterns, and build emotional resilience. Holistic modalities like mindfulness, yoga, and breathwork naturally calm the nervous system and restore inner balance.
We also provide SUD prevention tools and coping strategies to manage everyday stress, triggers, and emotional responses.
A Compassionate, Supportive Environment
At New Life Recovery, healing is about more than just treatment – it’s about connection, community, and long-term support. Our team of compassionate professionals is dedicated to providing individualized care, tailoring treatment plans to meet each person’s unique needs.
We build a sense of belonging, fostering an environment where individuals feel understood and supported. Our approach encourages personal growth, helping clients develop the skills and confidence to navigate life beyond treatment.
Ready to Start Your New Life?
Healing from trauma begins with a single step – reaching out for help. If you’ve been carrying the weight of past experiences or struggling to break free from substance use, recovery is possible. Reclaim your life and build a strong, resilient, and self-compassion future with the right support.
At New Life Recovery, we provide personalized, trauma-informed care designed to meet you where you are. Whether you need intensive therapy, holistic healing practices, or a supportive community, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Your path to healing and understanding trauma begins with a conversation. Contact us to schedule a confidential assessment and explore a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Resources
- https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/trauma/about-trauma/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/trauma#definition
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3181836/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3188414/#:~:text=Numerous%20studies%20have%20documented%20an,physical%20abuse%20during%20their%20childhood.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8219147/
- https://onlinenursing.duq.edu/blog/what-are-the-6-principles-of-trauma-informed-care/#:~:text=Healthcare%20organizations%2C%20nurses%20and%20other,and%20choice;%20and%20cultural%20issues.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604200/
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