The Buddha famously said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” This is great advice for living. Yet, millions of people who struggle with trauma and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are unable to access the opportunity of the present moment. They are too busy working with the trauma of the past and treating it with the toxic “solution” of alcohol. The good news is that there is another solution, a better solution. That solution is long-term recovery.
Better Understanding Trauma
Trauma affects far more people than many may realize. It affects millions of people every day. According to the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Medicine, “General population studies have shown that a large proportion of people in developed countries have been exposed to at least one TE [traumatic event] in their lifetime (estimates from 28 to 90%), with the most common events being the unexpected death of a loved one, motor vehicle accidents and being mugged.”
Trauma also often manifests as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This PTSD can be highly disruptive to your everyday life. According to the peer-reviewed thesis Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, by Doctors Mann, Marwaha, and Torrico, “Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and complex psychiatric condition that arises in response to exposure to traumatic events, significantly impacting an individual’s mental well-being. Characterized by a diverse array of symptoms, PTSD can affect cognition, mood, somatic experiences, and behavior….” Both undiagnosed trauma and PTSD can lead to various types of addiction, including alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Better Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD is one of the most common diseases in the world. It is also much higher than the statistics would have one believe because AUD often goes undiagnosed. It is also important to understand that, yes, AUD is a disease. It is not some type of moral failing or “choice.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. Both disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of an organ in the body, both have serious, harmful effects, and both are, in many cases, preventable and treatable.” Addictions like AUD also take a serious toll on the family.
AUD is also known as a “family disease.” This is because it affects far more people than just the individual who is directly struggling. This is why AUD is often referred to as “the tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path.” The good news is that the family is also uniquely qualified to help. However, they must first know the signs and symptoms of trauma and AUD to do so.
Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Trauma and Alcohol Use Disorder
Now, the signs and symptoms of trauma and AUD are always going to vary based on specific details related to you or your loved one’s life. However, you can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms of AUD:
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Not being able to stop once starting to drink
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
As you can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can be deadly — hence, the “disease model” of addiction. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. One way to do this is via cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
The Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trauma and Alcohol Use Disorder
CBT can be highly effective at treating trauma and AUD. This is because it can get to the underlying issues of AUD, which are often laden with trauma.
CBT can help you to begin to see the reason why you may be viewing yourself and the world around you in a negative light. It can then start to address your cognitions (thoughts) and emotions (feelings), so you can begin to temper your addictive behaviors. Ultimately, this can lead to total sobriety.
A Focus on Long-Term Success at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we believe in long-term success over short-term fixes. This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This includes our plans that address trauma and AUD.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, we have a solution. You can do this! We can help.
Trauma can be a major contributing factor to one’s alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is important to understand the underlying issues of trauma that can lead to AUD so that you can ultimately get the help you need. The good news is that there are more effective treatments than ever to help you heal in the long term. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to long-term recovery. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about trauma, PTSD, and AUD, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
