How Untreated Trauma Can Affect Your Life

Many who have been dealing with trauma try to self-medicate to control the symptoms of trauma. This can result in someone with unresolved trauma issues or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) developing an addiction that further complicates recovery and has an even bigger impact on a person’s life.

When You Can’t Get over Trauma

Trauma symptoms vary from person to person. Some of these symptoms are slightly bothersome while some can prevent you from functioning on a day-to-day basis. While everyone reacts to trauma in different ways, some of the symptoms that you could experience include the following:

• Inability to establish healthy sleeping routines
• Insomnia, nightmares and night terrors
• Feeling constantly on edge, jumpy and quick to snap at people who startle you
• Inability to focus on even the most mundane work tasks which could result in missing deadlines at work and may jeopardize the stability of your employment
• Withdrawing from social and family events
• Preferring your own company or the company of drugs and alcohol you are self-medicating yourself with to that of loved ones
• Being quick to anger, quick to lose your temper or quick to violent reactions
• Flashbacks that are realistic and may occur at any time
• Depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts may occur
• Combined substance abuse and trauma

If you receive professional trauma treatment, you will be able to see a dramatic reduction in the symptoms that you are displaying, and you will be able to work through the addiction that you have developed. Addiction and trauma make for a bad and potentially dangerous combination for you and for those around you.

You don’t have to live with both trauma and substance abuse controlling your life. If you take steps to get professional help for trauma, you will see a huge improvement in all areas of your life. Whether you are living with drug abuse and trauma or alcoholism and trauma, the key to regaining a life that you recognize is to reach out for professional trauma treatment.

Getting Trauma Treatment

We have extensive experience providing the highest trauma treatment options. Substance abuse and trauma can take control of your life, destroy your relationships, isolate you from loved ones or even lead you to thoughts of suicide. Call our toll-free helpline to confidentially discuss trauma and related issues with our compassionate counselors. Your life does not need to be governed by trauma and addiction. Call us to find out how to break free.