How Dealing with Trauma May Be the Key to Breaking Addiction

Seventy percent of adults in the United States have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their life, including abuse, violence, and difficult divorces. The affects of
trauma makes its appearance in our lives long after the event is experienced. We can see the body respond to trauma in the following ways:

• Lethargy

• Fatigue

• Poor Connection

• Auto-immune disorders; i.e. Crohn’s Disease

• Sleeping Disorders

• Panic Attacks

• Muscle Tension

• Self Harm

• Self Destructive Tendencies

• Misuse of Alcohol/Drugs/Pornography/ Sex/Food/Video Games

• Fear of Being Alone
  
  

The root of trauma can be traced back to whether or not human needs are being met. Dr. Gabor Matè has researched trauma indepth and speaks regularly on this subject. He believes that the essence of trauma is a disconnection from ourselves. It is the separation from body and emotions. An important part of healing from trauma is reconnecting with ourselves physically and mentally. We reconnect with ourselves by intentionally listening to what our bodies tell us. It is a matter of deep self-work. We must deal, not only with the physical manifestation of trauma, but the actual cause of trauma.

Here at Heritage Counseling Center we use EMDR and TF-CBT, along with Emotion Focused Therapy, to begin the work of treating the actual cause of trauma. If you are interested in learning more about healing from trauma, reach out to us. We are here to help. We serve Louisiana virtually and in-person in our Lafayette office.