Struggling with substance abuse is no easy feat, and several people also have underlying, buried or significant present trauma. Having both an addiction and a mental health condition is called dual diagnosis and sometimes termed “co-occurring disorder.”  Many people do not fully understand how trauma can affect and sometimes cause addictions.  A person living with both can be extremely challenging as it often feels like there’s no relief. The outcomes are often negative, and having a dual diagnosis leads a person often into despair.

After having a complete evaluation of each of our clients, we help identify the root cause of their addiction. Our drug and alcohol rehab in Astoria, Oregon, is ready to serve people who suffer from a dual diagnosis of addiction and trauma to prepare them to be fully functional when working, in school, and with their personal lives. If you would like to find out more about the specifics of how we treat trauma and what type of trauma therapies we offer at Virtue Recovery Center in Astoria, please contact us.

Types of Trauma Therapy

There are several interventions created to help treat trauma while at your stay at our inpatient drug rehab in Astoria. At Virtue Recovery Center, we use evidence-based therapies in our treatment and care of our clients, many of whom have been living with the effects of trauma incidents. Once the client can share their experience with a clinician, the trauma-focused therapies will be included in their treatment plan. This may include:

  • EMDR
  • CBT
  • DBT
  • Seeking Safety
  • Medication Assistance

We fully understand that every client is unique, and therefore there is no one way to approach and assist someone with a dual diagnosis. We strive to “meet the client where they are at” and do not pressure the individual to talk about anything they are not ready to. With the help of individual therapy at Virtue Recovery Center, we believe that no matter where someone is starting, it can only get better sharing what they feel they can work in a safe environment to get the tools needed in addressing addiction and underlying trauma how it affects them. We will match the client’s need with the type of treatment we offer and feel strongly that people can recover from trauma and addiction.

You will find when you have arrived at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Oregon that we are dedicated to helping people recover from addiction and trauma and reduce ineffective behaviors and emotions like anger, rage, frustration, confusion, and sadness and bring people into happier and healthier lives.

Trauma Disorder Signs

Trauma is defined as psychological distress and disorder that can occur directly after an event (Acute Traumatic Stress Disorder) and even years after something has occurred (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Some examples of this are in or around war and combat, witnessing or experiencing violence of any kind, childhood abuse, neglect, sudden loss, vehicle accidents, natural disasters, extreme changes.

Trauma can affect people in various ways, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, insomnia, physical pain, chronic pain, self-esteem issues, societal issue, financial issues, survivor’s guilt, and, as we are pointing out: substance abuse.

At our Astoria drug and alcohol treatment center, we know that trauma can affect each person differently. Though everyone is unique, trauma does have similar signs and symptoms in adults. Trauma can show up as a dual diagnosis as mental disorders and emotional behaviors. It also affects the subconscious in nightmares and night terrors. Flashbacks, triggers, recurrent thoughts and memories, negativity, depression, hopelessness, and feelings of inferiority, are just some issues of what a person with trauma lives with.

Trauma symptoms also include:

  • Concentration challenges
  • Anger
  • Rage
  • Irritability
  • Hypervigilance
  • Disproportionate reactions
  • Startle Response
  • Sleep disorders
  • Memory issues
  • Moodiness

Trauma also causes some people to shut down, avoid, and disassociate. It is hard to talk about feelings to others. Some people become agoraphobic and have a hard time leaving their house or their room. At our dual diagnosis treatment center in Astoria, we are compassionate to those who have trauma. If you or a loved one has an addiction problem and has trauma, please do not hesitate to contact Virtue at the Pointe.