Experiencing trauma during childhood can profoundly impact a person’s mental health and substance use patterns later in life. Our childhood trauma therapy program in South Florida helps patients process unresolved pain from their past to achieve lasting healing and recovery. At Evoke Wellness at Miramar, we understand that childhood trauma can manifest in a variety of ways and affect individuals differently. That is why our program is tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient.
Call us at 866.931.9312 today to learn how we address addiction and childhood trauma with compassion and care.
Examples of Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma refers to any negative or distressing experience that occurs during a person’s formative years, typically before
Childhood trauma can include:
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Witnessing violence or tragedy
- Having a parent with a mental illness or substance use disorder
- Neglect or abandonment
- Loss of a parent or caretaker
- Living in poverty, instability, or unsafe conditions
These adverse experiences disrupt healthy development, leading to long-term consequences.
The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction
Research shows a strong correlation between childhood trauma and later addiction. Unresolved trauma drives substance use as a means to cope with emotional pain, numb difficult feelings, or self-medicate symptoms like anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Without treatment, this pattern forms a complex trauma/addiction cycle that persists across the lifespan. Breaking this cycle requires processing the original traumas fueling unhealthy behaviors. Childhood trauma has been linked to a higher risk of developing mental health conditions, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
It can also contribute to the development of substance use disorders, as individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism for their unresolved pain. It is only natural to want to escape or numb difficult emotions, but this behavior can quickly spiral into addiction.
What Is Unprocessed Trauma?
Unprocessed traumas are painful memories and emotions that were never fully addressed or healed at the time of the events. They manifest as lingering feelings like:
- Fear
- Abandonment
- Self-blame
- Anger
- Grief
Burying traumas leads to emotional turmoil, dysfunctional coping mechanisms, and impaired reasoning, judgment, and self-control. Processing trauma allows individuals to develop resilience and healthy coping skills.
How Trauma Therapy Can Improve Substance Issues
Our childhood trauma therapy techniques include:
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to reprocess and integrate traumatic memories
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Somatic therapy to release emotions trapped in the body
- Inner child work to comfort and empower the wounded parts of oneself
- Art and music therapy for nonverbal expression
- Mindfulness and relaxation techniques to regulate emotions
- Group therapy to connect with others who have had similar experiences
By addressing underlying traumas, our patients can break free from the cycle of addiction and begin their journey toward lasting healing. Our compassionate and experienced team creates a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their past experiences, process their emotions, and learn healthy ways to cope with trauma triggers.
Seeking Help for Childhood Trauma and Addiction
If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of childhood trauma and addiction, know that there is help available. Our team at Evoke Wellness at Miramar specializes in treating these co-occurring disorders with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based therapies. We believe that by addressing the
With holistic modalities in a caring, peaceful environment, we empower patients to reconcile struggles from their past and build emotional strength. Integrated addiction treatment further supports recovery and well-being.
Call Evoke Wellness at Miramar Today
Our compassionate team understands the deep roots of addiction and provides the insight and tools to overcome them. If unresolved trauma from your childhood is impacting your life, call Evoke Wellness at Miramar at 866.931.9312 or reach out online today. Healing is possible.
