Understanding Trauma and Trauma Treatment
Holistically healing trauma is often the root cause of conditions like depression, anxiety and addiction, but instead of acknowledging this reality, mainstream medicine tends to address the symptoms rather than the trauma itself. With holistic treatment of trauma, however, symptoms like depression, anxiety and addiction can be eradicated for good.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is the aftermath of suffering a terrible life event. It can be spurred by the death of a loved one, active combat, any type of abuse, a natural disaster, a life-threatening illness or any other harmful event. Over half of all adults experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, and a portion of these people will experience lasting repercussions.
Trauma that chronically harms emotional and physical health and disrupts the sufferer’s life is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About 8 percent of people in the US suffer from PTSD at some point in their life, and in any given year, 8 million Americans have PTSD. Trauma will not always result in PTSD, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a factor in other mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, or substance use.
The Link Between Trauma and Addiction
Doctor and addiction specialist Gabor Maté argues that “society and the medical profession are in denial of the role of trauma” in addiction, and the numbers back him up.
One study found that 39 percent of those who experienced trauma had alcohol use disorder, compared with an alcohol use disorder rate of 12.7 percent among the general US population. Up to two-thirds of people treated for substance use disorders experienced childhood trauma in some form.
Holistic Treatment Can Heal Trauma
Treatment of PTSD and trauma-related mental illness and addiction largely focuses on treating the mind with holistic trauma therapy and the body with medication. This isn’t enough. A holistic approach that addresses the mind, body, soul and spirit is necessary to tap into the higher brain functions that determine our deepest emotions and wellbeing.
When we experience trauma, our energy field (known in traditional medical practices as the life force, aura, chi, spirit and a variety of other names) is thrown out of balance. This energy field influences everything about you, from your mental state to your physical health. When the energy system is disrupted, energy psychology — a treatment method based on Chinese acupuncture — can help bring the entire body back into alignment. Energy healing works faster than most methods, and has a dramatically higher success rate.
Holistic Trauma Healing at The Sanctuary
If you’re suffering from trauma-related mental illness and addiction, The Sanctuary can help you. We offer a holistic PTSD treatment that combines traditional therapeutic methods with ancient healing modalities and advanced neuroscience to influence your brain back to health and align the mind, body, soul, and spirit.
Read more about how energy medicine can treat addiction.
For more information on The Sanctuary and our holistic trauma treatment program treatment, contact us online, call us at (877) 710-3385 or email us at [email protected].
He is the Founder, Administrator, Counselor at the Sanctuary at Sedona. He has a BA in Political Science and is currently Senior teaching staff at Four Winds Society, an international school of energy medicine. His credentials also include being an Ordained Minister; a Certified Shamanic Breathwork® Facilitator; a Founding Member Society for Shamanic Practitioners; a Member of Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology; a Member of the National Institute for Holistic Addiction Studies. [email protected]