Healing From Trauma and Addiction: Finding the Right Help

Table Of Contents:

• What Is a Dual Diagnosis?
• What Is Trauma?
• How Does Trauma Affect Addiction?
• How Does Addiction Affect Trauma?
• How Does PTSD Affect Addiction?
• When Should You Seek Help for Trauma and Addiction?
• How Are Trauma and Addiction Treated Together?
• What Kinds of Trauma Exist?
• Expert Insight
• Moving Forward

Living with both trauma and addiction can feel like fighting two battles at once. Painful memories may drive substance use, and substance use can make the pain even harder to escape. The good news is – healing is possible when both are treated together.

What Is a Dual Diagnosis?

A dual diagnosis, also called co-occurring disorders, means someone is dealing with both a mental health disorder (like post-traumatic stress disorder – PTSD, depression, or anxiety) and a substance use disorder at the same time. In the case of trauma, these two often feed off each other – trauma symptoms can intensify cravings, and substance use can worsen trauma responses.

According to MedlinePlus, people with dual diagnoses need integrated treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also emphasizes that recovery is more successful when both disorders are treated in the same program, by providers trained in trauma-informed care.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms your ability to cope. It can result from a single experience, like an assault or accident, or from prolonged exposure to stress, such as ongoing abuse or neglect.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines trauma as the lasting emotional or physical effects of these events. Trauma can disrupt how your brain and body process fear, safety, and trust, leading to long-term anxiety, depression, or difficulty forming relationships.

There are several types of trauma:

• Acute trauma – a single event (e.g., an accident).
• Chronic trauma – repeated experiences (e.g., domestic violence).
• Complex trauma – multiple traumatic events over time, often beginning in childhood.
• Developmental trauma – occurs during key growth years and affects emotional development.

How Does Trauma Affect Addiction?

Many people begin using drugs or alcohol to numb the emotional pain caused by trauma. This coping pattern is sometimes called self-medication.

Trauma alters how the brain processes stress. The HPA axis (our body’s main stress response system) becomes overactive, leading to intense anxiety or emotional instability. Using substances like alcohol or opioids can provide temporary relief, but over time, the brain begins to rely on those substances to regulate mood.

According to research from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), trauma survivors are significantly more likely to develop substance use disorders because substances provide short-term escape from unbearable emotions.

How Does Addiction Affect Trauma?

Addiction can deepen trauma symptoms and make recovery harder. A study published on PubMed Central (NIH) found that people with trauma-related disorders have a 4-to-9-times higher risk of developing substance use disorders than those without trauma. The effects vary depending on the substance:

• Alcohol and benzodiazepines (like Xanax) – temporarily reduce anxiety but worsen depression, memory, and sleep.
• Opiates or painkillers – numb both physical and emotional pain but cause withdrawal, irritability, and emotional sensitivity.
• Stimulants (meth, cocaine, Adderall) – increase energy but intensify paranoia, hypervigilance, and emotional instability.
• Marijuana – can calm anxiety in some people, but may also increase confusion, dissociation, and fear.

How Does PTSD Affect Addiction?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common trauma-related disorders linked with substance misuse. People with PTSD often struggle with intrusive memories, flashbacks, and chronic hyperarousal. Substances may seem to provide relief from these symptoms, but ultimately they increase the severity of both conditions.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD notes that individuals with PTSD and addiction tend to have more severe symptoms, higher relapse rates, and greater functional impairment than those with either condition alone.

When Should You Seek Help for Trauma and Addiction?

The NIMH recommends seeking professional evaluation as soon as both conditions begin to interfere with daily life. Early treatment significantly improves long-term recovery.

It’s time to seek help if you notice:

• Persistent cravings or inability to control substance use
• Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts
• Intense mood swings, depression, or anxiety
• Sleep issues, blackouts, or withdrawal symptoms
• Suicidal thoughts or hopelessness

How Are Trauma and Addiction Treated Together?

The most effective programs use integrated treatment, where both trauma and addiction are addressed at the same time. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) highlights that treating both disorders simultaneously lowers relapse risk and improves emotional regulation.

The SAMHSA Co-Occurring Disorders Program outlines several evidence-based approaches:

• Trauma-informed therapy, which ensures safety and understanding throughout care.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused CBT, which help reframe negative thinking.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to resolve trauma memories.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid or alcohol dependence, combined with counseling.
• Mindfulness and grounding techniques (such as yoga or breathing exercises) to regulate stress.
• Group and peer support, helping individuals feel less isolated.

What Kinds of Trauma Exist?

Trauma can arise from many life experiences, including:

• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Neglect or abandonment
• Witnessing violence or disasters
• War or military combat
• Serious illness or medical trauma
• Death of a loved one
• Chronic stress from poverty or discrimination

Expert Insight

“Trauma plays a role in mental and substance use disorders and should be systematically addressed in prevention, treatment, and recovery settings.”
– Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), cited by Otterbein University.

Moving Forward

If you or a loved one is facing both trauma and addiction, remember: recovery is not about willpower – it’s about getting the right help. Integrated, trauma-informed treatment can help you rebuild trust, find stability, and move toward lasting healing.

For more guidance, explore these evidence-based resources:

• SAMHSA: Co-Occurring Disorders Overview
• NIMH: Substance Use and Mental Health
• NIDA: Co-Occurring Disorders Research
• VA: PTSD and Substance Use