Many people ask, what is the relationship between trauma and addiction? If you’ve lived through something painful, you know it can lead to struggles. For many, that means alcohol or drug use. A lot of people turn to substances to cope with deep emotional pain. This pain often comes from trauma.
Trauma therapy can help heal those wounds. At Santé Center for Healing in Argyle, Texas, we help people understand the link between trauma and addiction. We offer residential and outpatient treatment options. We can help you or a loved one heal from trauma. If you’re ready to get started, reach out today.
What is trauma?
Trauma is something that causes lasting emotional or physical stress. It can come from one major event or from many smaller things that build up over time.
Common causes of trauma include:
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Domestic violence
- Childhood neglect or abandonment
- Car accidents or natural disasters
- Loss of a loved one
- Bullying
- Military combat or first responder experiences
Not everyone reacts to trauma the same way. But many people carry those emotional wounds for years. When left untreated, trauma can affect your physical and mental health. It can also impact relationships and everyday life.
What is addiction?
Addiction is when someone can’t stop using a substance or doing a behavior. They continue even when it’s causing harm. It’s not just about willpower. Addiction changes how the brain works.
Substances like alcohol, opioids, meth, and benzodiazepines may make someone feel better for a while. But over time, these substances take over. People start using them not to feel good, but to avoid feeling bad.
If you’ve experienced trauma, you might use drugs or alcohol to:
- Numb painful memories
- Calm anxiety or depression
- Escape flashbacks or nightmares
- Feel a sense of control
But this kind of relief doesn’t last. Addiction often makes trauma symptoms worse.
What is the relationship between trauma and addiction?
The connection between trauma and addiction is strong. Many people with past trauma often struggle with addiction. In fact, many people in treatment for substance use also have untreated trauma.
When someone has both trauma and addiction, it’s called a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. These issues feed off each other:
- Trauma makes addiction more likely.
- Addiction makes trauma symptoms harder to treat.
- Substance use may trigger more traumatic experiences.
That’s why it’s so important to treat both at the same time. If you only treat the addiction, the trauma may still cause pain and lead to relapse. If you only treat the trauma, the addiction can make healing harder.
At Santé Center for Healing, we understand what is the relationship between trauma and addiction. We offer programs that treat the whole person and not just the symptoms.
Signs you might be dealing with both trauma and addiction
If you’re wondering whether trauma is connected to your addiction, ask yourself:
- Do I have painful memories that I try to avoid?
- Do I use alcohol or drugs to feel calm or forget?
- Do I have nightmares, panic attacks, or flashbacks?
- Do I feel numb, angry, or disconnected from others?
- Have I tried to quit using but always go back?
If you answered yes to several of these, it may be time to seek help. Trauma and addiction recovery is possible with the right support.
How trauma therapy can help
Trauma therapy is a type of counseling that helps you work through past pain. It can help you process what happened, learn healthy coping skills, and start healing.
At Santé, our trauma therapy options include:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy with others who understand
- EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
- Somatic therapies (which focus on body awareness)
- Mindfulness and stress-reduction skills
Our therapists are trained in how trauma affects the brain and body. They work with you to build safety, trust, and strength.
Why choose Argyle, Texas trauma therapy
If you’re looking for trauma and addiction recovery in Texas, Santé Center for Healing offers a peaceful, private place to begin. Our center is located in the rolling hills of Argyle, Texas. It’s just a short drive from Dallas–Fort Worth, but it feels like a world away.
Here, you’ll find:
- A team that truly cares
- A safe, structured environment
- Personalized treatment plans
- A mix of clinical and holistic care
- Support for the whole family
We’ve helped people rebuild their lives for more than two decades. You don’t have to carry the weight of your past alone. Argyle, Texas trauma therapy can guide you toward healing.
Start your trauma and addiction recovery today in Texas
Healing takes time, but you don’t have to wait to get started. At Santé Center for Healing, we help people understand what is the relationship between trauma and addiction. More importantly, we help them recover from both. Whether you’ve been through a lot recently or are just now facing past pain, we’re ready to help you take that next step.
Call Santé Center for Healing in Argyle, Texas today at 866.238.3154. You can also contact us online.
Let’s talk about how we can help you or a loved one heal from trauma and addiction. You are not broken. You are not alone. With the right care, recovery is possible.