Addiction Wellness and Understanding Trauma

Addiction Wellness and Trauma

Research has illuminated a significant connection between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD), underscoring the intricate relationship between these conditions.

Trauma Therapy and Addiction

At Aspen Intervention Wellness Center, addiction wellness and understanding trauma are key elements in guiding our clients to sustainable addiction recovery.

We are very aware that many individuals seeking treatment for addiction have a history of trauma. But often, trauma survivors do not recognize or understand the significant effects of trauma in their lives. 

Many will experience trauma during their lifetimes. Although some who are exposed to trauma demonstrate few or no lingering effects or symptoms – other individuals experience significant effects. Those who have experienced repeated, chronic, multiple (or multiple childhood traumas, ACE) are more likely to exhibit readily identifiable trauma symptoms and consequences.

The after-effects of trauma can include substance abuse, mental illness, and health problems. Trauma can affect how an individual engages in life and creates various unpleasant symptoms. Many trauma survivors turn to alcohol or drugs for symptom relief. This increases the chances of developing substance dependence and addiction.

How Does Trauma Affect the Parasympathetic Nervous System?

The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is one of the two functionally distinct and continuously active divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). 

Parasympathetic System

Understanding trauma and its effects are critical to addiction wellness.

The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) is responsible for the “rest and digest” response; promoting relaxation. It stimulates functions like digestion, sexual arousal, crying, salivation, urination and defecation, slowing heart rate and conserving energy.

An easy acronym to remember how and where the PNS works is SLUDD. This stands for:

• Salivation
• Lacrimation
• Urination
• Digestion
• Defecation

Trauma affects the Parasympathetic Nervous System by triggering a prolonged state of hyperarousal, making it difficult for the system to regulate and calm the body’s stress response.

The fight, flight, or freeze response refers to involuntary physiological changes that happen in the body and mind when a person feels threatened. It can cause rapid breathing, flushed skin, tense muscles, and more.

This dysregulation can contribute to anxiety when the twitch is turned “on” and depressive symptoms when the switch is turned “off”.

When is the Parasympathetic Nervous System Activated?

The Parasympathetic Nervous System is activated when the body perceives safety and relaxation. Deep breathing, meditation, and gentle exercise are ways to activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System.

Trauma affects the Nervous System by disrupting its normal functioning and ability to regulate itself. This leads to heightened sensitivity to stressors. The heightened sensitivity often results in anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional dysregulation.

These symptoms are often not recognized as the after-effects of trauma. As a result, many individuals seek symptom relief from intrusive trauma symptoms by using alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drug use only makes the trauma symptoms worse in the long run. And often, self-medication with alcohol or drugs results in addiction.

 Fight, Flight, or Freeze – Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activation

An acute stress response causes the body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) to activate. This is the part of the nervous system that controls rapid, unconscious responses, such as reflexes…The ANS can send messages that tell the body to prepare for danger in different ways.

What is the fight, flight, or freeze response?

Many trauma survivors are so accustomed to their ‘normal state’ of hypervigilance that they cannot recognize when Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is activated. For many, this has become a normal way of functioning.

However, constant hypervigilance is very hard on the body and will eventually lead to health issues. And, unpleasant physical and emotional side effects are present when the ANS is constantly activated.

One critical function of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is to prepare the body for action through the “fight or flight” response. These changes prepare the body to respond appropriately to a perceived threat. When threats in the environment are sensed, the sympathetic neurons of the ANS react by:

• increasing heart rate
• widening the airways to make breathing easier
• releasing stored energy
• increasing strength in the muscles
• slowing digestion and other bodily processes that are less important for taking action

How to Calm Down the Parasympathetic Nervous System

To calm down the Parasympathetic Nervous System, practices like deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation can be effective in restoring balance.

Other ways to activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System include engaging in activities that promote a sense of safety and connection; such as spending time in nature, practicing gratitude, and engaging in positive social interactions.

 The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique – Yogic Breathing for Wellness

The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique was developed by Andrew Weil, M.D. Dr. Weil is the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.

The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique is based on pranayama, which is an ancient yogic practice focused on the breath.

4-7-8 breathing is a coping skill used for regulating the nervous system through regulating stress with controlled breathing. This stress-reduction technique tells the body’s fight or flight response “to stand down” and slow down.

Self-Care and PTSD

Self-care techniques for reducing symptoms of PTSD include grounding techniques. A gentle focus on sensory activities can be helpful. This includes holding onto a comforting object or focusing on the five senses, sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Additionally, establishing a routine that includes regular exercise and adequate sleep contributes to overall well-being and recovery.

Deep breathing techniques can help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn reduces anxiety and tension.

Many individuals regularly take shallow breaths without even realizing it. Shallow breathing is part of the body’s natural fight, flight, or freeze response, which is often overactive in people living with PTSD. Consciously taking deep breaths from the diaphragm helps to disengage an overactive trauma response.

Contact Aspen Intervention Wellness Center for Help Today

Addiction wellness and understanding trauma are integral elements in working with our clients.

Our team at Aspen Intervention Wellness Center provides tools for teaching our clients to calm and regulate their parasympathetic system so they can rediscover their inner sense of calm.

To effect lasting change, we have combined different techniques, such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, and distress tolerance. Clients identify personal goals, and Aspen Intervention Wellness Center supports them to reach those targets.

Our team helps clients get motivated and practice what they learn in their sessions. To learn more about how an intensive outpatient program or addiction recovery coaching can help you, contact us today.