Benefits of the Horse-Human Connection for Healing Trauma in Recovery
What is Trauma? Trauma is defined as someone’s response to a negative event or tragedy such as an accident, natural disaster or abuse. This could be anything that is experienced as psychologically unsafe, where the recipient felt in some way that they were at severe risk of danger. Those who have experienced trauma may suffer long-term effects which can have devastating effects on their relationships and quality of life. Common symptoms of trauma may include: Flashbacks Nightmares Nausea Sweating Anxiety Depression Many people may not experience severe long-term effects of trauma, however these memories and experiences may continue to have [...]
The Correlation Between Veteran Trauma and Addiction
Military combat trauma and addiction are complex, interconnected issues that can wreak havoc on the lives of military veterans when left unaddressed. Unfortunately, there’s still a heavy stigma surrounding military men and women seeking professional help that prevents many of them from receiving the support they need. The extreme and often distressing conditions and circumstances of deployment can lead to prolonged and increased substance use that can be fatal if left untreated. Within this article, we’re going to dive into the correlation between military trauma and veteran addiction. In the end, we’ll provide you with some practical guidance on how [...]
How Trauma Can Lead to Substance Use
Trauma wreaks more havoc on a person’s health and well-being than most people know. It can affect you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The degree to which it changes you depends on the severity of the trauma and your personal response. Trauma can change how you see yourself and the world around you. People and relationships that were once safe to you may now feel uncomfortable or scared, and you may find it difficult to relax or enjoy social situations or environments you once enjoyed with ease. The changes you experience internally and externally in your life following a trauma [...]
A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding Trauma-Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is one of the most essential areas of expertise in substance use treatment. Addiction is rarely an isolated condition. This means there’s usually more than one factor that led to the development of the substance use disorder, rather than it being a random occurrence or rooted in a single moment of temptation. It also means that addiction requires multifaceted treatment in order to most successfully and sustainably help clients fully recover. This is where trauma-informed care comes in. Today we’re going to take a closer look at trauma-informed care, who it’s for, what it looks like within substance [...]
How Childhood Trauma Affects You in Adulthood
What do you visualize when you reflect back on your childhood? Some people find themselves instantly drawn to brighter memories, while others remember a more shadowed childhood. Some reflect on memories of innocence, hope and delight, while others experience feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and fear. Others still don’t feel as if they remember much about their childhoods at all. While there are many experiences that are generally universally experienced (such as social challenges in adolescence), certain events go beyond what is considered normal or healthy. The effects of childhood trauma don't always manifest fully or blatantly within childhood because children [...]
