Understanding Trauma-Informed Care in Addiction Recovery: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Recovering from substance abuse and addiction often requires a blend of various strategies and techniques. Recognizing that each individual's journey is unique, recovery facilities typically provide a range of therapies to accommodate these diverse needs.

A valuable approach for many individuals battling addiction is called Trauma-Informed Care. Essentially, trauma-informed care is a holistic approach rather than a specific therapeutic method. It focuses on the manner in which care is delivered—the ethos of a treatment facility—rather than the particular actions taken.

Defining Trauma

Trauma and traumatic incidents have a widespread impact, frequently contributing to the onset of behavioral and substance dependencies. Typically, varying levels of abuse and/or neglect are the primary indicators of traumatic experiences.

Trauma is also a factor in the diagnosis and emergence of co-occurring disorders. These may include mental, physical, and emotional conditions that coincide with substance misuse and addiction.

Due to these adverse experiences, there is a heightened risk of re-traumatization during the recovery journey. This can occur due to factors like specific restraints, isolation, detrimental cultural attitudes within the treatment facility, or neglect of the client's complex challenges, all of which can significantly hinder recovery progress.

Exploring Trauma-Informed Care

Fortunately, there are strategies to reduce the likelihood of re-traumatization during recovery. In collaboration with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), trauma-informed care is characterized by six key principles:

• Safety
• Trustworthiness and Transparency
• Peer Support
• Collaboration and Mutuality
• Empowerment Voice and Choice
• Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues

Though these principles may seem somewhat broad, they are designed to be adaptable. The flexibility inherent in trauma-informed care is one of its greatest assets. Since the cultural attitudes of a treatment center are often connected to staff satisfaction, this approach typically begins with ensuring the well-being of the professional team.

Impact of Trauma on Individuals in Addiction Recovery

Trauma can manifest in numerous forms, but among those with substance abuse issues, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are particularly prevalent. Consider these findings from a study on ACEs conducted in collaboration with the CDC and SAMHSA:

• Approximately two-thirds of individuals using intravenous drugs have encountered trauma or ACEs during childhood
• Individuals with five or more ACEs are 7-10 times more likely to develop substance use disorders
• Roughly 75% of individuals in addiction treatment have a history of trauma and ACEs
• More than 30% of those in addiction treatment have been formally diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

These statistics highlight the high prevalence of trauma among those in addiction recovery. Thus, trauma-informed care should be considered a vital component of addiction treatment.

The Advantages of Trauma-Informed Care

While more research on trauma-informed care has emerged in recent years, further study is necessary to quantify its benefits. According to a study published in Research on Social Work Practice, implementing trauma-informed practices in addiction recovery yields positive effects on both the treatment center and the clients undergoing recovery.

• Cultural Climate: Adoption of trauma-informed care led to staff feeling more secure both emotionally and physically. It also improved trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Policies and Procedures: Day-to-day operations saw tangible enhancements. Trauma-informed practices improved areas like supervision, support, self-care, staff training, and intake processes.
• Staff Satisfaction: Trust and teamwork among staff improved significantly after integrating trauma-informed methods. Additionally, staff found increased fulfillment in their roles and felt empowered to be innovative.
• Client Satisfaction: Those in recovery benefited from trauma-informed care, as they were able to build trust with staff more quickly and felt the team could address issues effectively.
• Client Retention: Retention is crucial for long-term success and reducing relapse risks. Trauma-informed care practices led to an increase in client retention during treatment according to research.

The Significance of Trauma-Informed Care in Addiction Recovery

Beyond the aforementioned benefits, trauma-informed care is increasingly crucial for overcoming addiction and substance abuse. By creating supportive environments that minimize the risk of re-traumatization, recovery programs have a better chance of achieving treatment success.

This approach also considers family dynamics beyond traditional "family therapy." Involving family at inappropriate times can re-traumatize the individual struggling with addiction, potentially causing setbacks. Trauma-informed care, however, addresses these family dynamics with sensitivity.

Collaboration and empowerment are two critical elements of trauma-informed care in addiction recovery. By reconditioning the mind and developing new ways to process trauma, individuals in recovery gain more than standard coping mechanisms—they acquire personalized strategies for managing trauma and handling triggering situations.

Conclusion

Given the prevalence of trauma experiences among those in recovery, trauma-informed care should be prioritized in addiction treatment. Research indicates that trauma-informed practices can greatly reduce the chances of re-traumatization. The well-being of staff, the cultural atmosphere of the center, and the overall safety and stability of the recovery setting significantly influence client recovery in both the short and long term.

To discover more about initiating your healing journey at Impact Recovery, reach out to our team here.