The Hyperlink Between Trauma, Psychological Well being, & SUD
As a way to “heal” from any variety of diagnoses – first, you have to course of your trauma
My title is Nikki Dalhamer and I focus on trauma-informed psychological well being and substance use dysfunction (SUD) teaching & consulting for adolescents ages 13-18 and adults with major psychological well being and potential secondary substance use diagnoses. I imagine that TRAUMA is the actual gateway drug. Trauma is the foundation reason for most ache in these affected by psychological well being and SUD diagnoses. As a way to “heal” from any variety of diagnoses – first, you have to course of your trauma. As soon as you may acknowledge that ache/TRAUMA is current, admit that you simply want steerage, as a way to course of it, and open your thoughts and coronary heart to the concept of therapeutic (almost certainly with out formal closure/a proper apology from those that have harm you) – you may start to take again your energy and discover your voice once more. You’ll start to have the ability to advocate for your self and put boundaries in place that can help you proceed to develop and learn to handle your ache and feelings in a protected and productive method. Nevertheless, as a way to course of your trauma you have to first outline it – you have to put a reputation to the face.
Trauma is an expertise that was and continues to be deeply distressing to you, however what’s deeply distressing to at least one individual may not be to another person. Trauma is NOT a contest and therapeutic isn’t linear, that means that therapeutic doesn’t look the identical for everybody. There are peaks and valleys – there are good days and unhealthy – there may be progress and regression. Trauma is a physiological, visceral reminiscence, virtually like muscle reminiscence. Even when your mind doesn’t produce a visible reminiscence of the occasion, your physique retains rating. Your physique remembers the sensation of misery that was current on the time the trauma initially occurred. Due to this fact, when an analogous occasion happens sooner or later, your physique instantly returns to combat or flight mode. You instantly return to the time and place the place the preliminary trauma occurred, even though trauma might not really be current at that present second.
Usually, you can not escape your “triggers” completely. Trauma therapeutic isn’t meant to erase these occasions and emotions out of your thoughts utterly, nor “repair” you. Trauma therapeutic is supposed to help you course of your physique’s recollections/trauma, offer you validation and hope, and give you wholesome coping abilities that can hopefully help you stay a protected, productive, and significant life.
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I’m Nikki Dalhamer, and I’m on a mission to make a distinction within the lives of people battling chemical dependency and trauma. As a Trauma-Knowledgeable CDCA, I put on many hats – I’m a Trauma Restoration Coach, Guide, Keynote Speaker, Podcast Host and rather more all pushed by a singular aim: fostering restoration and well-being.
