By: AndreaBergman
If you are struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders, you have options for treatment. While many facilities tend to offer the same types of treatments, some choose different approaches than others. For those who have experienced trauma in the past, it’s important to seek out a facility that provides trauma-informed care. But what is trauma-informed care, and what kind of difference can it make in your treatment? At Lakeview Health, we know how essential trauma-informed care can be for those who need to move past these events and heal.
How Can Lakeview Health Help?
Trauma-informed care is when a facility takes an approach to prevent retraumatizing the client in the process. At Lakeview Health, we create a healthy and safe environment that helps to promote the healing process without using approaches or methods that may retraumatize clients.
We talk with our clients about their past experiences and any traumatic events they may have gone through. This trauma screening is done respectfully and at the beginning of the admissions process. Our internal team will take this knowledge and use it to shape any type of treatment plan in order to keep the client safe. We train all team members on trauma-informed care and explain how crucial such empathetic approaches can be to recovery.
How Can a Client Become Re-Traumatized?
A common misconception about retraumatization is that it occurs only when another major event occurs. Because of this misconception, it can be easy for individuals to experience retraumatization if they go to a facility without proper training. Knowing how someone can experience retraumatization can help individuals make decisions regarding their care and addiction treatment. Examples of how someone can become retraumatized include the following:
- Labeled during treatment
- Seen as a number and not a person
- Continuously discussing their trauma or story
- Lack of say in their treatment
- Violations of trust
- Lack of collaboration
- Not feeling seen or heard
What is Trauma-Informed Care in a Substance Abuse Treatment Environment?
So what is trauma-informed care when it comes to treating substance use disorder? It is reshaping how we provide treatment to ensure effectiveness for recovery while also respecting the individual. While creating a treatment plan, we include programs and therapies that will help and not hinder the progress of the client. These options can include the following:
- Dual diagnosis treatment– Instead of just focusing on the addiction, we also focus on any mental health disorders that may be present due to trauma. This allows us to help the client successfully manage their mental health without turning to illicit substances.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy– CBT provides a one on one opportunity for a therapist and client to work together. Here, the two form a partnership to collaborate on goals, skills, and other steps the client needs to take for recovery. Building a trusted relationship will help the client to feel supported and valued.
- Family therapy– Family therapy is helpful only when the client wants the support of loved ones. In instances where a family member is involved in the trauma, we may suggest different approaches.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Lakeview Health
At Lakeview Health, we know how important dual diagnosis treatment and trauma-informed care can be to our clients. This is why we provide help for co-occurring disorders to ensure our clients receive the well-rounded care they need to heal.
When you need to ask, what is trauma-informed care and how can it help me, contact Lakeview Health today.
Lakeview Health strives to keep our clients and staff safe during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about new guidelines and updates today.
We currently accept Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. We do not currently accept Medicare, Medicaid, or Florida Blue.
