Can Trauma be Cured?

Can Trauma be Cured?
Can Trauma be Cured?
April 2, 2018
How Recovery Changes your Perspective
How Recovery Changes your Perspective
April 4, 2018
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Can Trauma be Cured?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the result of exposure to trauma. Trauma emcompasses car accidents, witnessing a loved one or even a stranger die, child abuse, and partner abuse. There are many different types of events that can be linked to trauma. All in all, trauma is a disruption in your life that can produce symptoms decades after the event occurred.

Researchers estimate that up to half of all drug dependent women are the victims of sexual trauma, specifically occurring in childhood. Many, many recovering individuals are trauma survivors. When you get sober and begin living a life in recovery, the trauma and its effects do not simply disappear. Trauma, unfortunately, cannot be cured. However, trauma symptoms and complications can be managed and decreased with the proper treatment.

Complications from exposure to trauma can interfere with your life. Complications from trauma may result in PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Loss of interest
  • Flashbacks
  • Fear
  • Mistrust
  • Guilt
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Detachment

There are several different ways to treat trauma complications. A common type of treatment is psychotherapy. Your therapist may chose to do exposure therapy. Exposure therapy is designed to gradually expose you to reminders of trauma, in order to reduce your reactions towards triggers. There are several other treatments for PTSD including:

  • Group therapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Medication interventions
  • Psychodynamic therapy
  • Support groups for trauma survivors

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a highly effective treatment for PTSD. EMDR also aims to reduce negative reactions towards reminders of the trauma. Unlike traditional therapy, EMDR is not talk therapy. However, your EMDR therapist may talk about specific reminders of the trauma. EMDR uses a special device to aid in how your brain reacts to reminders.

Trauma changes your brain. These changes may be subtle or very noticeable. Trauma cannot be cured, but trauma complications is treatable. Treatment is not an overnight process, but treatment for PTSD is highly effective. You may always remember the traumatic events that happened to you. With the proper treatment, the magnitude of how you react to trauma and reminders will subside. Treatment for PTSD takes time and commitment.

Help is just a phone call away. Many people who start a recovery program have experienced a traumatic event.  At The Kimberly Center, we understand the relationship between trauma and substance use. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER. We are committed to helping you understand trauma and how it has affected your life. At The Kimberly Center, you are in safe hands.

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