Trauma can play a role in many aspects of your life. It can impact your physical health, your ability to connect with others, and your motivation to work toward the life that you want to live. Whether your trauma was a one-time event or an ongoing issue for a period of time, it can lead to long-term challenges, including misusing opioids. For this reason, trauma should be considered during opioid recovery.
Trauma-informed care (TIC) refers to health care providers understanding the role of trauma in a person’s healing journey. It means approaching them with compassion, flexibility, and empathy during treatment. It can be included in any type of health care, including opioid recovery.
Read on to learn about the important role of trauma-informed care for people going through opioid recovery. We’ll also discuss what the approach can look like.
Why opioid recovery should be approached with trauma-informed care for adults
There are many potential reasons why adults may start to misuse opioids. They may have become dependent on them after a surgery, or they might be in an environment that encourages using opioids without a prescription. Experiencing trauma can also lead a person to become addicted to opioids, since opioid use can be a way to escape reality and experience euphoric feelings to fight against the negative thoughts of trauma.
Letting your providers and counselors know about your trauma can help them get a better understanding of the support you need. However, it’s not easy to open up about trauma. If you’re starting your opioid recovery, you’re likely already going through some withdrawal symptoms and experiencing cravings. You may also experience mental health distress from starting this new chapter in your life.
Trauma-informed care can still come into play if the symptoms of trauma are recognized by your recovery team without you sharing. It’s about them being aware of the potential impact of trauma, but you’re not required to disclose anything.
When your recovery team provides TIC, it can offer many benefits for your treatment and recovery. These benefits include:
- Feeling safe and heard
If you don’t feel like you can trust the people providing care for you during your recovery, you’re not likely to engage with treatment. Creating a safe environment for everyone is an integral part of trauma-informed care.
When your providers and counselors use TIC in opioid recovery, they’re building a sense of trust. They want to make you feel comfortable opening up about your experiences. Trusting the people who are providing your care will make you feel more empowered to speak up. You can share what you feel or what you need without fear of judgment.
- Reduced risk of triggers
Retraumatization can cause a roadblock in your opioid recovery. You can’t always completely erase the possibility of facing triggers of your trauma, but trauma-informed care can reduce your risk of feeling triggered during treatment.
During recovery, you may face possibly triggering sounds, places, and questions. Providers who use TIC will be able to protect you against them as much as possible by adjusting treatments. They’ll also help you manage your triggered response with understanding and knowledge.
- Better chance of recovery success
Progress is progress, no matter how big or small. But if you’re seeking help for opioid use disorder (OUD), one of your goals may be to reach and maintain recovery for as long as you can, which can be made possible through treatment shaped by care and understanding of your trauma.
TIC helps you address and work through the impact of your trauma on your opioid use disorder to reduce the risk of using again. In this environment, you can fully embrace treatment and the positive changes that can come with it.
What it means to receive trauma-informed care during opioid recovery
Trauma-informed care means more than having compassionate, empathetic care. It means that your providers have the insight and education to treat you in a way that takes your trauma into account.
Trauma-informed care includes:
- Cultural sensitivity to traditions, beliefs, and restrictions
- Recognizing potential signs of trauma
- Assessing the needs of a member with trauma
- Following related rules and procedures
- Modifying treatments and environments as needed
At Groups, we incorporate trauma-informed care into OUD treatment. We make sure we get the whole picture of you as a member. We can help you through recovery with group therapy, medication, and life-goal assistance.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
