1. ”Trauma and the Challenge of Substance Abuse Disorders”
Tim Shannon
MA, Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Advanced Addiction Counselor
Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist
Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist
ICADAC - International Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing #1
comcast.net ,

2. “If all you have is a hammer then all your problems are nails” -Abraham Maslow

3. Core Assumption I
In the context of trauma, chemical addiction arises not as a pleasure-seeking strategy but as a survival strategy:
To self-soothe and self-regulate
As a way to numb hyperarousal symptoms: intolerable affects, reactivity, impulsivity, obsessive thinking
In the service of walling off intrusive memories
As a way to combat helplessness by increasing hypervigilence and feelings of power and control
To “treat” hypoarousal symptoms of depression, emptiness, numbness, deadening
In the service of facilitating dissociation
As a way to function or to feel safer in the world
Fisher, 2007

4. Core Assumption II
How the addictive behaviors have helped trauma patients to survive: that is, which trauma symptoms are they attempting to treat through their drinking, drugging, eating disorders, and sexually acting out behaviors. We need to know this information for a number of reasons:
First, we need to know because these are precisely the symptoms that will increase once the patient becomes sober or abstinent. EX: 12 yr old molested by grandfather, smokes cannabis and uses alcohol to forget. In recovery has numerous flashbacks including molestations at an earlier age she had suppressed.
We need to know, too, so that we can begin to anticipate other coping strategies they will need in order to deal with those symptoms as they erupt and threaten to overwhelm them.
Fisher, 2007

5. Core Assumption III
Furthermore, we need to be able to predict when and how the symptoms may potentially trigger a behavior relapse so that we can help them strengthen the addictions recovery program they have chosen.
And finally, we also need to know so that we can help the survivor appreciate their courageous attempts to cope with the effects of the abuse and, from that recognition, develop sufficient compassion and self-respect to counteract the shame and guilt that is the inevitable byproduct of their addictions and trauma history.
Fisher, 2007

6. Feelings refers to psychology, how we think about
what is going on, both externally and internally ie;
the amygdala.
Affect refers to instinctive biology, ie the limbic system - the fight, flight, or freeze center - that tends to be active in addiction and other disorders.
The individual receives overwhelming primal messages about events that can be way out of proportion to the actual potential for threat.

7. Emotion refers to the biographical story we tell
ourselves about our experience, including the ability
to remember and to project experience.
Dominated by intrusions of the trauma, traumatized individuals begin organizing their lives around avoiding having them.

8. Trauma
“Because the stress response disrupts general information processing, survivors of trauma live in a somatic world rather than a world of language.”
Alexander McFarlane

9. What is Trauma? “Trauma is experiencing too much, too fast, too soon.”Or
“The body remembers what the mind forgets”
-Jacob Moreno

10. Movement from Chaos to Connection
“The deep digging in therapy is to make conscious these early wounds and convert them into words so that they can be felt and understood—to use the skills of emotional literacy.

11. Movement from Chaos to Connection Our Tasks
We help them place the trauma in proper perspective. Help give them a context (where, when and how). Help integrate them back into themselves with understanding as to what happened and what meaning they made out of it.

12. Modulating Emotional Responses
Intense Fear Rage Disassociation or Shutdown Addiction offers relief

13. Trauma Impacts relationships by creating
1. Enmeshment-part of trauma bonding. 2. Disengagement-avoiding skill building. 3. Chaos through impulsivity.

14. How do we help them? 4 Steps to Emotional Expertise
Our clients need to know:
All emotions serve a function.
Trauma and Addiction blunt our range of emotions.
Self Efficacy comes as consciousness of emotions grows.

15. What is Trauma
Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood, and untreated cause of human suffering. Although it is the source of tremendous distress and dysfunction, it is not an ailment or a disease, but the by-product of an instinctively instigated, altered state of consciousness.
We enter this state - let us call it survival mode - when we perceive that our lives are being threatened. If we are overwhelmed by the threat and are unable to successfully defend ourselves, we can become stuck in survival mode. This highly aroused state is designed solely to enable short-term defensive actions; but left untreated over time, it begins to form the symptoms of trauma.
Peter Levine

16. Effects of Trauma (Dayton,2000)
Long term fear of intimacy.
Relational Commitment-Simultaneous fears of
abandonment and being overwhelmed.
Poor Communications-as the internal dictionary, listening,
and seeking feedback are distorted.
Boundaries are enmeshed.
Deregulated emotions-high frequency, intensity and
duration to complete shutdown.
Distrust, unable to receive and lack of faith in others.
Blunted play –inability to move freely in a space.
Unconscious patterns of disconnecting, reenacting,
transference, splitting, hyper-vigilance and perfectionism.

17. Somatic Experiencing
“Somatic Experiencing® is a body-awareness approach to trauma being taught throughout the world. Based upon the realization that human beings have an innate ability to overcome the effects of trauma.”
-Dr. Peter Levine

18. Bessel van der Kolk
“The imprint of the trauma is in the limbic system and in the brainstem: in our animal brains, not our thinking brains”
Survival responses based on the following criteria:
Severity of trauma.
Genetic Predisposition.
Developmental Phase when trauma occurs.
A Social Support System.
Prior traumas.
6. Preexisting phobias and maladaptive behavior

19. Pierre Janet
“[Traumatized] patients ... are [repeatedly] continuing the action, or rather the attempt at action, which began when the event happened, and they exhaust themselves in these everlasting recommencements.”
1919/25, p. 663
There is a historical perspective to trauma

20. Trauma and the Brain

21. The Triune Brain x

22. “Bottom-up, The Hi-Jacked Brain”
Everyday experiences connected to the trauma will trigger instinctive survival responses: fight, flight, freeze, collapse and numbing, dissociation, re-enactment behavior. The client’s animal brain takes over, the ability to think goes “off line,” & acting out behavior takes place without consciousintention or judgment, even without awareness!
Recently-a 21 year old incarcerated client with PTSD struggled with another inmate whom triggered a survival response in the substance abuse group. The client turned her body away from the group, stuffed her thoughts of autonomy and feelings of helplessness. She was made aware of her symptoms, her strength in survival but seemingly detached. maladaptive pattern and worked through a problem solving grid which helped her focus on the reality of the group.
Janina Fisher, 2007

23. Fight, Flight or Freeze Response
Trauma vs. Intimacy
Visual Cortex
Normal Response
Trauma Response
Amygdala
Fight, Flight or Freeze Response

24. Peter Levine
“Trauma originates as a response in the nervous system, and does not originate in an event. Trauma is in the nervous system, not in the event.”

25. Brief Overview of the Autonomic Nervous System
The Polyvagal Theory by
Stephen Porges, PhD

26. The Parasympathetic Nervous System
The Sympathetic Nervous System
Originates in the brain stem and lower part of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system: stimulates digestive secretions; slows the heart; constricts pupils; dilates blood vessels.
Trauma may result in the PNS staying “on”, which causes it to superimpose shutdown over the hyperarousal of the SNS, rather than discharging its energy.
The SNS gets our whole body ready for action. It regulates arousal. It increases activity during times of stress and arousal – whether positive or negative. It is active when we’re alert, excited, or engaged in physical activity. It prepares us to meet emergencies and threat.
The Parasympathetic branch acts like the brake pedal for our nervous system. It helps us to relax, unwind and ultimately discharge the arousal of sympathetic activation.
The Sympathetic branch is like the gas pedal of our nervous system. It gives us energy for any action we plan, and it helps us prepare for threat.

27. The Vagus Nerve in three parts, all working simultaneously:
The Polyvagal Theory
By Stephen Porges
The Vagus Nerve in three parts, all working simultaneously:
Ventral Vagal System:
Is part of the Parasympathetic Nervous System
(Social Engagement/frontal cortex)
Sympathetic Nervous System:
(Fight/Flight, Freeze - Limbic Brain)
Dorsal Vagal System:
(Freeze/Immobility/Brainstem)

28. We may try

29. Vagal Sympathetic Nervous System Dorsal Vagal System
Social Engagement
Fight, Flight, Freeze
Immobility
Safe
Danger
Life Threatening
Ventral
Vagal
Sympathetic
Nervous
System
Dorsal
Vagal
System

30. Autonomic Arousal is Designed to Adapt to Environmental Demands
Sympathetic Hyperarousal
sympathetic
easy charge
Another view of energy being discharged.
easy discharge
Window of Tolerance
feelings can be tolerated, able to think and feel
AROUSAL
parasympathetic
Parasympathetic Hypoarousal
Foundation of Human Enrichment
Ogden and Minton (2000)

31. Autonomic Adaptation to a Threatening World
Stuck on “ON”
Hyperactivity
Panic
Rage
Hypervigilance
Elation/Mania
Sympathetic Hyperarousal
Window of Tolerance
Optimal Arousal Zone A R O U S L
Depression
Disconnection
Deadness
Exhaustion
Stuck on “OFF”
Parasympathetic Hypoarousal
Foundation of Human Enrichment
Fisher, 2006

32. How Chemical Addiction Modulates and “Medicate” Complex PTSD to attempt Self-Regulation
Sympathetic Hyperarousal
Acting out
Window of Tolerance
Optimal Arousal Zone A R O U S L
Parasympathetic Hypoarousal
Acting in
Foundation of Human Enrichment
Fisher, 2006

33. The Challenge of Trauma and Chemical Addiction
Treatment must address the relationship between:
the trauma and the addictive behavior
the role of the addictive behavior in “medicating” traumatic activation
C. the origins of both in the traumatic past
D. the reality that recovering from either requires recovering from both.
Fisher, 2007

34. Modes of Inventions
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy EMDR Somatic Experiencing Hypnotherapy Transactional Analysis

35. Provider Tasks Screening & Assessing
See trauma as a defining and organizing experience that can shape a survivor’s sense of self and others. (understanding ability to cope).
Psycho-educational information on how intertwined SUDS and Trauma are during and after an event.
Establish and maintain consumer support and developing coping skills. (Ex: Learning communication and problem solving strategies such as healthy fighting (cont.)
Isolating and thrill seeking behaviors.
Where

36. Addiction Labeling
The goals associated with any problem are at least partially determined by the way the problem is assessed.
What you do about something is influenced by what you call it.

37. Our Lens
We tend to call ourselves objective but we interpret situations from their own particular theoretical, philosophical or ideological perspective.
Do we need to transcend it?

38. Our Lens (cont.)
We know clients don’t see themselves as addicts but often seek to negotiate an alternative explanation to negate acting out behaviors or minimize having to change.

39. Provider Tasks
Helping consumer understand the range of parallel connections between SUDS and trauma.
Minimizing re-occurance of trauma
Ensuring consumers’ physical and emotional safety where possible and avoiding shame inducing confrontations triggering trauma related responses.
Helping with referrals for ancillary services such as legal, financial, vocational, housing and health care.
Avoid reopening the wound by having them recall it.

40. Resiliency Recognizing and Reinforcing Resiliency
Definition-The process of “bouncing back.”

41. The Post Traumatic Stress Inventory
The Inventory consists of 144 questions designed by David Delmonico, M.Ed. and Patrick Carnes, PhD. Questions fall into 1 of 8 categories providing when tallied a strategic map on how the client can once again gain internal locus of control.

42. The Post Traumatic Stress Inventory
8 Specific Therapy Strategies

43. 1.Trauma Reacting
Trauma Reacting- Experiencing current reactions to trauma events in the past.
Study ways client is still reacting. EX: projected anger out on others.
Write letters to perpetrator telling them of the long-term impact you are experiencing.
Write amend letters to those you know you have harmed.
Decide with therapist what information is appropriate to disclose and send.

44. 2. Trauma Repetition
Trauma Repetition – Repeating behaviors or situations which parallel early trauma experiences.
Understand how history repeats itself in your life experiences.
Develop habits which center yourself- Ex. Breathing or journaling so you are doing what you intend –not the cycles once used.
Work on setting boundaries-using effective communication.
Boundary failure is key to repetition compulsion.

45. 3. Trauma Bonding
Trauma Bonding- Being connected (loyal, helpful, supportive, enmeshed) to people who are dangerous shaming, or exploitive.
Learn to recognize trauma bond by identifying those in your life.
Look for patterns.
Use “detachment” strategies for difficult people.
Use a First-Step if necessary.

46. 4. Trauma Shame
Trauma Shame - Feeling unworthy and having self-hate because of the trauma experience.
An acutely self-conscious state in which the self is “split” imagining the self in the eyes of the, other; by contrast, in guilt the self is unified. (Gilliland, et al. 2011).
Judgment of self by another whether real or imagined.

47. 4. Trauma Shame (cont) Goal: Shame Reduction and resolution.
Understand shame dynamics of family and family of origin.
Who was important to that you should feel shameful?
Do a list of problems, excuses and secrets.
Complete an inventory of affirmations.

48. 5. Trauma Pleasure
Trauma Pleasure – Finding pleasure in the presence of danger, violence, risk or shame.
Do a history of how excitement/ shame are hooked to the past traumatic event (s).
Note the costs and dangers to you over time.
Do a First Step and relapse prevention plan about how powerful this is in your life.

49. 6. Trauma Blocking
Trauma Blocking- A pattern exists to numb, block out, or overwhelm feelings that stem from trauma in your life.
Work to identify experience which caused pain or diminished you.
Re-experience feelings and make sense of them with help.
This will reduce the power they have had.
Do a First Step if appropriate.

50. 7. Trauma Splitting
Trauma Splitting- Ignoring traumatic realities by disassociating or “splitting off” experience of parts of self.
Learn that disassociating is a “normal” response to trauma.
Identify ways you split reality and the triggers that cause that to happen.
Cultivate a “caring” adult who stays present so you can stay whole.
Notice any powerlessness you feel.

51. 8.Trauma Abstinence
Trauma Abstinence- Depriving yourself of things you need or deserve because of traumatic acts.
Understand how deprivation is a way to continue serving perpetrators.
Write a letter to the victim(s) that was you learning to tolerate pain and deprivation.
Work on strategies to self –nurture including inner child visualizations.

52. WHAT NEXT- 30 Performables
1. Break through Denial
2. Understand Addiction
3. Surrender
4. Limit change
5. Establish Sobriety
6. Physical Integrity
7. Culture of support
16. Lifestyle Balance
Building Support
Exercise and nutrition
Spiritual Life
20. Resolve Conflicts
21. Restore Healthy Sexuality
22. Family Therapy
8. Multiple addictions
9. Cycle of Abuse
10. Reduce Shame
11. Grieve losses
12. Closure to shame
13. Relationship with self.
14. Financial Viability
15. Meaningful work
23. Family Relationships
24. Recovery commitment
Issues with children
26. Extended Family
27. Differentiation
28. Primary Relationship
29. Coupleship
30. Primary Intimacy
Carnes,2011

53. Bibliography
Carnes, Patrick, & Delmonico, David. The Post Traumatic Stress Inventory. Carefree, Az, 2008.
Carnes, Patrick & Stephanie, Bailey, John. Facing Addiction. Carefree, Az Gentle Path Press.
Dayton, Tian, (2000), Trauma and Addiction; Ending the Cycle of Pain through Emotional Literacy, Deerfield Beach, Fl., Health Communication.
Gilliland, et al. “The role of guilt and shame in Hypersexual Behavior.” Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity; The Journal of Treatment and Prevention. p

54. BIBLIOGRAPHY (cont.)
Fisher, Janina, (2008), Addictions and Trauma Recovery
Levine, Peter, (1997), Waking the Tiger. Berkley, CA, North Atlantic Books.
Ogden, Pat, (2006), Trauma and the Body. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Porges, Stephen, 2006), How your nervous system sabotages your ability to relate.
Van der Kolk, Bessel, & McFarlane, Alexander(1996) Traumatic Stress. New York: The Guilford Press.

55. Anchor Consulting Services 1110 West Cross St. Ypsilanti, Mi.48197
Phone :
comcast.net ,
Tim Shannon
MA, Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Advanced Addiction Counselor
Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist
Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist
ICADAC - International Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing #1