After a traumatic experience, most people experience fear, anxiety, sadness, or numbness - at least, in the short term.
People who suffer from long-term trauma symptoms often turn to alcohol to cope. Sometimes the effects of trauma last for months or years. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the formal diagnosis for having a normal reaction to an abnormal, traumatic experience.
Even if you don't suffer from PTSD, you may experience symptoms of unresolved trauma. Feelings of confusion, numbness, blackouts when drinking small amounts of alcohol, and disturbing dreams are common among people who have survived trauma.
If you are ready to free yourself from symptoms of trauma, we are here to help. Counseling gives you a path to heal from trauma and alcohol use.
We understand how alcohol may feel like the only way to cope. Our counselors offer you strategies to heal before demanding that you change. We understand how healing from trauma starts with you regaining control in your life.
Alcohol abuse and trauma can become a vicious cycle.
Trauma survivors are more likely to have a history of drinking and drug use. Additionally, having a history of trauma also increases the likelihood of developing a problem with drinking.
Up to 75% trauma survivors report drinking problems. Up to 30% of those who survive traumatic accidents, illness, or disasters report drinking problems. The relationship of trauma to substance abuse can become a vicious, painful cycle that may feel impossible to break.
Free yourself from the cycle of problem drinking.
We help people who long to heal from alcohol abuse and trauma. We understand that integrative healing is essential for trauma recovery. Research shows that simply talking about trauma may make things feel worse. This is why our counselors are trained in multiple methods of trauma-informed alcohol counseling to help you heal.
Feel whole again.
Our specialization in alcohol counseling helps us guide you through the challenges of healing from trauma while reducing problem drinking. You can heal from trauma. We are here to help. Call or text (312) 715-8234 to get started.
Counseling Techniques Used for Coping with Trauma
We are trained in evidence-based approaches to help you find your direction and achieve your desired outcomes. Our treatment methods include:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an effective, research-based technique to help people resolve and heal from trauma. It is highly effective for people who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is also effective as an approach to help you maintain behavior change when you are facing feelings of distress on a day-to-day basis or anxiety about the future.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is an evidence-based form of cognitive behavior therapy that strategically helps you create the life you want to live. This happens by removing obstacles that are leaving you feeling stuck in a rut. ACT uses your personal values as the foundation of change.
DBT-Informed
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a multi-pronged approach involving groups and individual counseling. We offer DBT-informed individual counseling is an evolution of CBT that focuses on reducing the intensity of negative emotions. DBT-informed individual work goes beyond looking at negative thoughts to help you consider effective ways of relating to yourself and others. It helps you achieve feelings of calm and satisfaction.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT helps you alleviate feelings of depression and unhappiness. The approach of MBCT reduces overwhelming stress while enhancing your self-awareness. By combining mindfulness practice with cognitive therapy, MBCT encourages you to develop a new relationship with negative thoughts and feelings, restoring your energy so you can effectively manage your life.
Addiction and Trauma Recovery
Addiction and Trauma Recovery is a dual approach where your counselor offers respect, transparency, and collaboration as a foundation of healing. Trauma-informed addiction recovery helps you understand the connection between self-destructive behaviors and complex trauma. Your counselor works with you on the goals you determine, empowering you to make healthy changes in your present-day life.
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction counseling is an evidence-based approach for people with a variety of high-risk behaviors. It offers you the ability to choose strategies that work for you in your life. We work with you to set, reach, and maintain healthy behaviors goals by providing personalized feedback and behavioral self-control skills. Whereas traditional treatment programs focus on drug users being powerless, harm reduction starts with the belief that you have the ability to make healthy choices.