Trauma and Substance Use Treatment

Mirmont Treatment Center provides specialty programs specifically for trauma that stems from any number of experiences. Identifying root causes is imperative to healing. Ignoring fundamental issues results in a focus on symptom control rather than addressing the actual causes of addiction and relapse.

What is trauma?

Trauma can come from any overwhelming event that leaves a lasting, negative impact on a person's mental, emotional or physical well-being. There are various types of trauma, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual trauma, neglect, loss of a loved one, witnessing violence, natural disasters, medical trauma and identity-based trauma (such as racism or other forms of discrimination). Recognizing and treating trauma is essential, as it can influence the root causes of addiction and relapse if left unaddressed.

Symptoms of trauma can manifest in many forms, including:

• Anxiety or depression
• Hyperarousal and reactivity
• Negative beliefs about self, others or the world
• Flashbacks or nightmares
• Intrusive images
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Dissociation, avoidance or emotional numbness
• Difficulty with relationships or emotional stability

How trauma impacts addiction

Trauma and addiction disorders are deeply interconnected. Individuals often turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism to numb the pain of their traumatic experiences. This can lead to a cycle of addiction, where the unresolved trauma fuels the substance use, creating a significant barrier to recovery.

Symptoms of addiction may include:

• Increased tolerance to substances
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Loss of control over substance use
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Continued use despite harmful consequences

Holistic approach to trauma and substance use treatment

Our approach to healing trauma includes state-of-the art treatment modalities that are designed specifically to address the underlying trauma that not only coexists with addiction, but often stimulates it.

The psychotherapies and alternative trauma healing methods we offer include:

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma-Focused Individual Therapy Sessions
• Trauma-Informed Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Group Therapy (Phoenix, VIPER and Core)
• Experiential Therapy and Psychodrama
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) meditation
• Yoga
• Qi gong
• Reiki and therapeutic touch

Trauma and substance use treatment patients at Mirmont Treatment Center also benefit from gender-specific groups, groups for co-occurring disorders, and pain management services, along with acupuncture, a daily exercise program, a daily yoga practice and somatic interventions.

Our clinical program further includes psychoeducational lectures about underlying factors of addiction, as well as group psychotherapy and individual therapy sessions led by trauma-sensitive clinicians.