• Skip to main content
  • Programs
    • Medical Detox
    • Inpatient Treatment
    • Intensive Outpatient Treatment
    • Family Care
    • Eating Disorder Treatment
    • Sacred Soul Program
    • Alumni
  • Treatments
    • Holistic Integration MedSpa
    • BioFeedback
    • EMDR
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Medication-Assisted Treatment
    • Equine Therapy
    • Accelerated Resolution Therapy
  • Substance Use
    • Drug Addiction
    • Alcohol Addiction
    • Meth Addiction
    • Opioid Addiction
  • About
    • Our Staff
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Private Pay
    • What to Expect
  • Facilities
    • Silkworth Center Medical Detox Facility
    • First Step Residential Facility
    • Wit’s End Residential Treatment Facility
    • Wilson Residential Center
    • Dotson House Residential Center
    • Soul Surgery Outpatient Facility
  • Get Help
    • Contact Us
    • Insurance Verification
    • What to Bring
Get Help Today (800) 614-1107
  • Programs
    • Medical Detox
    • Inpatient Treatment
    • Intensive Outpatient Treatment
    • Family Care
    • Eating Disorder Treatment
    • Sacred Soul Program
    • Alumni
  • Treatments
    • Holistic Integration MedSpa
    • BioFeedback
    • EMDR
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Medication-Assisted Treatment
    • Equine Therapy
    • Accelerated Resolution Therapy
  • Substance Use
    • Drug Addiction
    • Alcohol Addiction
    • Meth Addiction
    • Opioid Addiction
  • About
    • Our Staff
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Private Pay
    • What to Expect
  • Facilities
    • Silkworth Center Medical Detox Facility
    • First Step Residential Facility
    • Wit’s End Residential Treatment Facility
    • Wilson Residential Center
    • Dotson House Residential Center
    • Soul Surgery Outpatient Facility
  • Get Help
    • Contact Us
    • Insurance Verification
    • What to Bring
Get Help Today
(800) 614-1107
Home Resources Rehab Blog The Link Between Complex Trauma and Addiction

The Link Between Complex Trauma and Addiction

Soul Surgery

February 18, 2020
Dual Diagnosis

Published On: February 18, 2020
Updated On: November 14, 2022

Addiction develops in individuals for several reasons, and substance abuse is a disease that knows no specific gender, nationality, race, or economic status.

Both short and long-term trauma can lead to struggles with addiction. The link between trauma and addiction is often poorly understood, leading to less support for the individuals in the midst of it.

In this blog, we will be looking at:

  • What percentage of addicts have trauma?
  • What is complex trauma?
  • What are the effects of complex trauma?
  • How does trauma affect addiction?

What Percentage of Addicts Have Trauma?

Studies indicate that up to 59 percent of young people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develop substance abuse problems. When individuals abuse drugs or alcohol to deal with past trauma, it becomes more difficult for an individual to stop using.

What is Complex Trauma?

Psychology Today credits Dr. Christine Courtois with defining complex trauma as “a type of trauma that occurs repeatedly and builds up, usually over a while and within specific relationships and contexts.” 

When it occurs over a prolonged time frame, this direct harm can create “conditions of vulnerability associated with disability, disempowerment, dependency, age, infirmity, and others.”

Complex trauma often occurs in childhood and adolescence, but an acknowledgment of the event typically doesn’t happen until adulthood, and even then, treatment is scarce. Regardless, complex trauma negatively impacts individuals and must be dealt with in a healthy, safe manner.

Complex PTSD and Trauma Symptoms From Mayo Clinic

  • Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
  • Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
  • Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
  • Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event
  • Avoidance of topics, places, or individuals who remind you of the traumatic event
  • Adverse changes in thinking and mood
  • Being easily startled or frightened
  • Always being on guard for danger
  • Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or driving too fast
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior
  • Overwhelming guilt or shame
  • Suicidal thoughts

The Adverse Childhood Experience Study (ACES) found that survivors of childhood trauma are up to 5,000 percent more likely to attempt suicide, have eating disorders, or become IV drug users. This makes early diagnosis and treatment essential to living a healthy life for these individuals.

What Are the Effects of Complex Trauma?

The effects of complex trauma on the body are profound. Physical, mental, and emotional challenges are derived from complex trauma, including:

Resistance to relationships: Victims of complex trauma find it difficult to form and nurture strong relationships. Trust is often lacking, and victims find it difficult to express or control emotions.

Unable to handle stress: The brain can begin to interpret any traumatic event as “extreme” stress, causing the victim to respond irrationally, often turning to drugs or alcohol.

Restricted emotional responses: Complex trauma can cause victims to have a limited available reaction to emotional situations. They often have difficulty identifying, expressing, and managing emotions.

Dissociation: The complex trauma victim may learn to dissociate themselves from their own bodies or reality. They begin viewing their life as something happening to them, not something they are actively involved in.

Behavior: An internal struggle may exist that prohibits the victim from knowing how to calm down, forcing them to act out in violence or self-harm, including drug use.

Complex trauma can affect a victim’s physical, emotional, and mental state. Diagnosing the patient on all levels instead of only addressing the drug dependency is key to achieving sobriety.

How Does Trauma Affect Addiction?

Research shows one of the primary reasons for dependency is the event of trauma in an individual’s life. The National Council for Behavioral Health estimates that 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have suffered a traumatic experience.

Science reveals trauma is a significant risk factor in nearly all behavioral health and substance use disorders. Complex trauma and addiction are highly connected. 

Research shows drug dependency can be directly connected to complex traumatic experiences during adolescence when it’s never adequately diagnosed and treated.

One in four children and adolescents in the United States experiences at least one potentially traumatic event before age 16.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Trauma and Addiction

As a leading addiction treatment center in Scottsdale, AZ, Soul Surgery specializes in dual diagnosis and strategically achieving positive outcomes for patients battling substance abuse and mental health problems.

Complex trauma distorts how people perceive themselves, those around them, and daily life events; It takes an experienced drug treatment facility to personalize treatment plans for each patient and to accurately and effectively treat co-occurring disorders.

Dual diagnosis offers assessment and treatment of substance use issues and mental health problems, like anxiety, eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.

The drug treatment specialists at Soul Surgery Rehab consider your substance use and mental health while creating a treatment plan personalized to your needs. 

Don’t continue to live in the aftermath of complex trauma through unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse – contact us today and take your first step into a balanced, sober life.

About the Author

Soul Surgery

Soul Surgery Integrative Medicine Addiction Centers works with clients to bring healing and recovery for those suffering with drug and alcohol use, current or past trauma, mental health issues, and other life experiences. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, we provide addiction treatment, drug and alcohol detox, dual diagnosis treatment, mental health treatment, and medication assisted treatment on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

I loved my time at Soul Surgery!

I was in the program for about 5 months and my life completely changed for the better. I battled my addiction, and learned new coping skills and ways to handle tough situations and make the right decision. From the start everyone was super helpful and caring. Staff knows you by name and no one ever judges you either which is nice. I’m grateful for the time I was there and would highly recommend to anyone! Thanks Soul Surgery!

Chad V.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve answered some of the most common questions clients ask before their first stay with us.

What to Expect?

Peer into what a day looks like as you stay at one of our recovery centers.

Latest Articles

Stay up to date on the latest in addiction and rehabilitation treatments.

Accreditations

Get Help Today

Take the first step in your journey to recovery.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Consent
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Call Now(800) 614-1107

24 Hour Intake Line: (800) 614-1107

Email: [email protected]

14362 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd. #B111
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
PROGRAMS
  • Medical Detox
  • Inpatient Treatment
  • Intensive Outpatient Treatment
  • Supportive Housing
  • Family Care
  • Alumni
TREATMENTS
  • Holistic Integration MedSpa
  • BioFeedback
  • EMDR
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment
  • Equine Therapy
SUBSTANCE USE
  • Drug Addiction
  • Alcohol Addiction
  • Meth Addiction
  • Opioid Addiction
Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
© 2023 Soul Surgery, LLC.