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Abstract

We live in an age of trauma. The majority of people who are addicted to substances and/or afflicted with process addictions are trauma survivors. Many people who are caught in the web of addiction donâ�?�?t identify as trauma survivors until their personal, familial, intergenerational and in-uterine history is fully understood. When we recognize that childhood trauma, including abandonment and neglect are the building blocks of a personâ�?�?s blueprint for functioning and thriving, we can understand the power of addiction as a soothing and survival mechanism offering relief and release from the emotional and psychic pain of trauma. These addictions are learned very early in life. Unfortunately, research shows that relapse is inevitable without trauma resolution. The core of this presentation is this realization that 90% of addicts are trauma survivors. Families often believe that their loved one must be bad and the addict begins to believe it too and the hopelessness ensues. When we unravel the trauma the behaviors make sense. When one of our clients begins to â�?�?act outâ�? at 8 or 12, they are often diagnosed with ADHD or oppositional defiance when in fact theyâ�?�?re holding a secret of sexual abuse or a family secret of domestic violence, infidelity or substance abuse. The truth of the behavior is that â�?�?we are not bad people trying to get good we are wounded people trying to healâ�?. The whole family is embroiled in their own survival coping mechanisms the addicted member is often the red flag indicating that the whole family needs healing. This presentation explores making sense of behaviors, how to identify the signs that trauma may be an issue with your client and their families and offers the stories and process of healing that has worked with the most â�?�?resistantâ�? clients which translates to our most wounded clients. jcrane@theguesthouseocala.com

Biography