While most people think of childhood trauma as just physical abuse, it can actually take many forms. After a negative, painful event, individuals can suffer from lasting psychological consequences, like an addiction. Overcoming childhood trauma is possible, but the individual requires the right support as they recover. Through dual diagnosis treatment, finding recovery and healing is tangible.
Overcoming Childhood Trauma and Facing the Past
In some cases, childhood trauma happens because of an unforeseen event like a car accident or an earthquake. It can also occur because of sexual or physical assault. Unfortunately, there are many ways that a child can suffer from abuse as they grow up.
Often, these incidences of abuse happen because of an authority figure in the child’s life. The person may be a parent, coach, teacher, religious leader or neighbor. Once the abuse happens, overcoming childhood trauma can be difficult.
The Kinds of Abuse
When most people think about childhood trauma, they think about physical abuse like hitting or beating a child. Physically, this type of abuse can lead to broken bones, scratches, bruises, and other injuries. It causes mental symptoms that can last for a lifetime.
Childhood trauma can also involve psychological or sexual abuse. Psychological abuse might not cause a physical injury, but it can be just as painful. The individual might threaten to abandon the child or berate the child constantly. The abuser may do physically humiliating things or confine the child to a chair.
Sexual abuse happens when someone abuses their position of authority over the child. This type of exploitation leaves a lasting sense of betrayal and distrust in the child. Even with the best treatment, it can take years to recover.
Neglect is another common type of child abuse. Instead of actively hurting the child, the caregiver fails to provide shelter, food or clothing. He or she might leave the child alone for long periods of time. When the caregiver is present, they may ignore the child completely.
Childhood Trauma and Addiction
When someone has an addiction, it is important to work on overcoming childhood trauma at the same time. The best addiction treatment programs offer trauma therapy and counseling. Unfortunately, many people who have an addiction also suffer from childhood trauma or a mental disorder as well.
After experiencing abuse, the individual may try to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse numbs the pain of the trauma for a short time. Then, the individual has to use again to get the same mental boost. The addiction becomes an unhealthy crutch for dealing with trauma.
Overcoming Childhood Trauma and an Addiction
Underlying problems like childhood trauma can fuel addiction. If someone only treats an addiction, they still have to deal with the trauma later on. Because of this, trauma therapy programs in North Carolina offer treatment for both conditions. By treating both problems at once, the individual has the best chance of achieving a long-lasting recovery.
At the treatment center, individuals can discover addiction therapy services and programs such as:
- Trauma therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Adventure therapy
- Eco-therapy and gardening
- Psychotherapy and individual counseling
You do not have to suffer from the scars of childhood trauma or an addiction forever. Red Oak Recovery® can help you become sober. To learn more about our programs, call us today at 866-457-7590.
