National Recovery Month: 5 Tips for Seeking Treatment for Substance Use
National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. As shared by the Georgia Council for Recovery, the 2023 National Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” which reminds people in recovery and those who support them that no one is alone in the journey through recovery. Everyone’s journey is different, but we are all in this together.
In support of this mission, our resident addiction expert, Amber Robinson, LMSW (she/her), is sharing five tips for individuals seeking treatment for substance use. Amber approaches her substance abuse work with a trauma focused lens. It’s important to note that substance use disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, for queer and transgender individuals, the need for trauma-informed substance use treatment is not just apparent, but critical.
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why trauma-informed care is essential for the recovery journey of these communities.
Why is this important?
Trauma symptoms have been shown to be highly prevalent among individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders, making trauma-informed care incredibly important for those in recovery. However, traditional substance use treatment modalities often do not sufficiently acknowledge the substantial impact of trauma (both big and little T). As a result, these traditional approaches can feel quite disempowering.
Notably, the queer and transgender populations face disproportionately high rates of trauma, including discrimination, violence, and family rejection. These traumatic experiences can be significant contributing factors to substance use. Culturally sensitive trauma-informed care acknowledges these experiences and aims to provide a safe space for recovery that is sensitive to the unique challenges these individuals encounter.
Substances offer intense relief from trauma symptoms — it’s truly no wonder that abstinence can be difficult to achieve when there are symptoms of trauma involved. This struggle to abstain can often be viewed as resistance in traditional substance use treatment, leading to added shame and perpetuating the cycle of substance use to cope with symptoms. Addressing the root cause of the substance use and using an individualized approach is essential to long-term recovery.
Here are a five tips for individuals seeking treatment for substance use:
Find a recovery program that works for you. There are several alternatives to AA/NA if these haven’t worked for you. The key is connecting with others who’ve also dealt with substance use issues & are in recovery.
Trust your gut. If you’re feeling disempowered when empowerment is what you need, listen to that feeling. Seek out an approach that will empower you and build your autonomy.
Work with a therapist that uses a trauma-informed lens to recovery. Find someone that you can ultimately feel completely safe with and that will partner with you to find a recovery pathway that works for you individually.
Be kind to yourself. You are doing the best you can given the resources you have. Trauma symptoms significantly impact our ability to access the part of our brain that involves abstract thought, language, and decision-making. The result is often acting reflexively - seeking any means to cope in the moment.
Know that recovery is possible. Neuroplasticity allows for our brains to be rewired over time. You can heal, and you can find peace from your symptoms with the right resources.
We want to emphasize the importance of seeking care from a provider who recognizes the elevated rates of trauma and stressors faced by the queer and transgender communities – and offers trauma-informed care through a compassionate and culturally lens.
Rather than treating the surface symptoms of substance use, culturally sensitive trauma-informed care delves deeper to address the underlying trauma and stressors that drive addiction. This holistic approach increases the chances of sustainable recovery, can reducing relapse rates, and fosters a sense of empowerment and self-advocacy
Read more about Amber’s approach to treatment, and check out our other trauma-focused modalities we leverage here at Grounded Wellbeing.
Queer-Friendly Resources
@queeringrecovery (on instagram)
@queersoberatlanta (on instagram)
Gay & Sober: https://www.gayandsober.org/meeting-finder-georgia
GA Council for Recovery: https://gasubstanceabuse.org/
SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov