For many people struggling with a substance use disorder, the addiction itself feels like the core problem. But what if it isn’t? What if the substance use is actually a symptom of something deeper—a painful echo of past experiences that have never fully healed? This connection is the central idea behind trauma-informed care, a profound and compassionate shift in how we approach addiction treatment.
At Serenity at Summit New Jersey, we believe that understanding and addressing trauma is not just a component of recovery; it is the very foundation of lasting healing. This approach moves beyond simply asking “Why the addiction?” to instead ask, “What happened to you?” Let’s explore what trauma-informed care truly means and why it is a non-negotiable part of effective recovery in New Jersey.
The Unmistakable Link Between Trauma and Addiction
The connection between trauma and substance use is not theoretical. It is a clinical reality backed by overwhelming evidence. A staggering number of individuals seeking addiction treatment—often more than 70%—have a history of significant trauma. Trauma can include experiences like childhood abuse or neglect, witnessing violence, military combat, or suffering a sudden loss.
In the aftermath of trauma, the nervous system can get stuck in a state of high alert, which can lead to overwhelming symptoms like chronic anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness. For many, substances like alcohol or opioids become a way to cope. They are used to numb the emotional pain, quiet the intrusive memories, or simply feel a moment of peace. In this context, addiction is not a moral failing. It is a survival strategy that has stopped working.
What “Trauma-Informed” Actually Means
Trauma-informed care is a complete shift in perspective. Instead of viewing addiction as a primary problem to be solved, it sees the addictive behaviors as an individual’s attempt to manage the unbearable pain of trauma. This simple but profound change has a massive impact on the treatment experience.
It’s about creating an environment built on five core principles:
- Safety: Ensuring both physical and emotional safety is the top priority. Safety is achieved by creating a non-judgmental space where clients feel secure enough to be vulnerable.
- Trustworthiness and Transparency: Building trust through clear communication, consistent boundaries, and honesty in all interactions.
- Peer Support: Integrating individuals with lived experience into the recovery process to foster hope and a sense of “You are not alone.”
- Collaboration and Mutuality: Working with clients to build their treatment plan, empowering them as active partners in their own healing.
- Empowerment, Voice, and Choice: Helping clients rediscover their strengths and providing them with choices in their care, restoring a sense of agency that trauma often takes away.
This approach ensures that every aspect of treatment, from the initial admissions call to therapy sessions, is designed to prevent re-traumatization and foster genuine healing.
Why This Matters in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the need for a trauma-informed approach to addiction treatment is more critical than ever. Our state continues to face a severe overdose crisis. In 2023 alone, New Jersey lost over 2,800 lives to suspected drug overdoses, with the vast majority of these tragedies involving illicit fentanyl. This constant exposure to loss and crisis can create layers of community trauma that compound individual suffering.
Furthermore, many individuals struggling with substance use are also dealing with untreated PTSD, anxiety, or depression. A trauma-informed model is essential for effective dual diagnosis care, as it addresses the root causes of both conditions. By helping individuals heal from the trauma, we reduce the underlying driver of their substance use.
Reducing this factor makes long-term sobriety a more achievable and sustainable reality for people across the Garden State.
Serenity at Summit: Healing the Whole Person
At Serenity at Summit, New Jersey, trauma-informed care is woven into the fabric of everything we do. We understand that you cannot heal from addiction without healing the person who has the addiction.
Our programs, from medical detox to residential treatment, are designed to be safe, supportive, and empowering. Our clinical team is trained in therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional charge. We focus on building coping skills that provide healthy, sustainable alternatives to substance use.
If you or a loved one is stuck in the cycle of trauma and addiction, please know that a different path is possible. A path that doesn’t just focus on stopping a behavior, but on healing the wounds that drive it.
Contact us today to learn how our compassionate, trauma-informed approach can guide you toward lasting recovery.
