3 Tips on Trauma and Addiction

AUGUST 20, 2024

Tips on Trauma, Altered States of Consciousness, and Addiction

Dear Linda,

As practitioners, understanding the intricate relationship between addiction, trauma, and self-regulation is key to supporting our clients’ recovery journeys. By recognizing that clients often use substances as a form of self-medication to manage emotional pain and regulate their affective states, we can tailor our interventions more effectively.

The following tips explore the concept of self-medication, the profound impact of trauma on consciousness, and the often-overlooked role of sugar dependence in clients with complex trauma. This knowledge enables us to address the underlying causes of substance use, offer meaningful alternatives, and provide comprehensive care that supports lasting recovery.

1. Trauma alters consciousness. Upward of 70% of people with PTSD self-medicate and become addicted at some point in their lives.

Substance use intersects the natural human urge for inner exploration and altered states of consciousness. It becomes problematic when it crosses into a persistent need to suppress distress. To educate our clients and support symptom resolution, practitioners must be well-versed in various states of consciousness to help clients define, differentiate, tolerate, and gain increased control over these states.

2. Clients Who Experience Trauma May Choose Specific Substances to Medicate Painful Affective States as an Aid Self-Regulation.

People who self-medicate with substances may experiment with all classes of drugs but discover that a particular drug suits them best. Understanding our client's substances of choice and their biological effects on the brain and mood enables us to identify healthy foods, supplements, and herbs to deeply nourish the brain based on the clues derived from these cravings.

3. Even Though We Typically Associate Addiction With Alcohol, Illegal Substances, or Medications, Sugar Addiction Is a Widespread Issue, Especially Among Those With Complex Trauma.

One biological marker of dysregulation from trauma is a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone that typically gives us the energy to “get up and go” in the morning. Without enough cortisol, it’s common to experience cravings for sugar or refined carbohydrates—quick sources of calories that seem, at first glance, to close the gap in our energy level.

The addictive effects of sugar consumption activate the brain pathways that respond to natural rewards, which are also activated by addictive drugs.

If you want to share these tips via text, social media, or email, just copy and paste this link.

Hearing from you is an awesome pleasure. I’d love to know what tips work best for you in your practice.

Heartfully yours,

PS: If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered, send it along.