One of the most surprising aspects of trauma is that it has the ability to either make or break you. It can define who you are and bring you down or strengthen and help you build more resilience. Studies have found that around half of those who seek out recovery have also battled with trauma in the past. The aftermath of trauma leaves many with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder that can bring about debilitating symptoms like anxiety, depression, paranoia, insomnia, flashbacks, nightmares, and more.
The reality is that, even in cases of childhood trauma, the effects can linger on for years to come. If treatment isn’t sought, they may worsen or develop into other conditions altogether. Recovery from mental health problems or addiction is already a vulnerable time period, but know that trauma can be treated.
Why Do I Need A Strong Support Network?
One of the most common feelings that trauma brings to those struggled with PTSD is that a person is alone, and that surely nobody out there can understand what they’re going through. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: more people than we realize are suffering because of trauma, and connecting with these people can potentially make us stronger, together.
Research has found that social support is critical right after a traumatic event happens and whether or not a person has this can affect what they do next. For those who may not have had the best type of support, mental health issues and substances can then come into play as an unconscious coping mechanism to try to find a way to lessen the intensity of emotions they’re experiencing. In recovery, healing can take place by doing the exact opposite: by reaching out to people, building connections, and building their own sense of community.
It’s actually been found that peer support groups – such as those found in 12-Step programs – can greatly strengthen a person’s commitment and engagement in their recovery program. The reason why social support groups can mean so much is that we find that many others who have gone through similar experiences and/or emotions. We also learn to have more empathy for others because hardships can be challenging for anyone to navigate
If you’ve been struggling with trauma or addiction, don’t wait any longer to seek the help you need. Recovery is right around the corner and you can seek this by calling a professional from Alta Loma to get started. Alta Loma is a world-renowned, Texas state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center exclusively for men with ranch style housing located in a peaceful, remote area. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at (866) 457-3843 for a consultation.
