Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and dual diagnoses have an increased risk of experiencing trauma, including sexual abuse. Driftwood Recovery uses psychotherapy, trauma-specific treatments, and personalized care plans to help clients heal from substance abuse and mental health issues caused by underlying trauma.
Understanding Sexual Abuse
Women are more likely to report a history of sexual abuse. However, anyone can experience sexual harassment, abuse, and trauma. Children and young adults who experience sexual trauma and abuse are more likely to develop substance use disorder as adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “At least one in four girls and one in 20 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse.” Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including sexual trauma, dramatically increase the risk of a person developing addictive behaviors later in life.
What Constitutes Sexual Abuse and Assault
Stigma and misinformation may cause some people to question if their experiences constituted sexual abuse or assault. According to the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), “The term’ sexual assault’ means any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.” Sexual abuse is any sexual contact resulting from force, threats, fear, violence, deception, or lack of legal consent. People who experience sexual abuse or assault have a higher risk of developing trauma-related mental health disorders.
The Prevalence and Impact of Sexual Violence
Sexual violence affects billions of people around the world every year. People of all ages, backgrounds, and genders experience sexual violence. According to the CDC, “In the United States, an estimated 19.3% of women and 1.7% of men have been raped during their lifetimes [. . .] An estimated 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men experienced other forms of sexual violence during their lifetimes.” Addiction recovery and mental health experts at Driftwood Recovery understand the complex trauma and pain caused by the prevalence of sexual violence. We provide clients with a safe space to process and heal.
How to Recognize Sexual Trauma and Its Effects
Sexual abuse often causes trauma. How people respond to that trauma impacts their mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. Identifying the behavioral and emotional effects of trauma helps people know when to seek treatment.
Some possible warning signs and effects of sexual trauma in adults and young adults include:
- Mood changes, including anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, or unexplained anger
- Persistent and intrusive thoughts of the traumatic event
- Flashbacks and other dissociative events
- Risk-taking behaviors, including substance use
- Self-harming behaviors or suicidal ideation
- Persistent feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or shame
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and colleagues, including no longer attending social functions
- Increased anger, aggression, or fear toward others
- Changing eating habits, including over-eating to intentionally gain weight and appear unattractive to others
- Physical symptoms, including nausea, stomach issues, headache, and muscle tension
- Avoiding people, places, situations, or memories related to the event
- Feeling detached from others and reality
- Difficulty trusting others or creating close relationships
- Feeling constantly on edge, vigilant, and overly aware of surroundings
No two people respond to sexual abuse in the exact same way. Multiple factors impact how individuals react to traumatic events. In addition, the warning signs and symptoms of sexual abuse vary significantly for children and adults. People respond to sexual abuse in much the same way they react to any trauma or chronic stressor. Getting help at the earliest signs of trauma or emotional distress reduces the risk of a person developing mental health disorders.
The Impact of Sexual Trauma on Mental Health
Sexual trauma can cause various mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), dissociative identity disorder (DID), borderline personality disorder (BPD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Individuals who experience sexual trauma during childhood or early adulthood have an increased risk of experiencing severe emotional and mental health side effects. The body’s response to trauma may also cause a person’s brain to develop differently. Structural changes in the brain may make it more difficult for people to regulate emotions and manage stress, putting them at risk of experiencing mental health issues.
Addressing Trauma Through Mental Health Professional Care
We address trauma using personalized care plans and trauma-specific treatments. Our mental health professionals also partner with outside providers to provide specialized care to individuals with unique needs. Treating trauma and co-occurring substance abuse requires collaboration and integrative care. Driftwood Recovery is a safe space where men and women receive the support and care they need to heal from SUD and trauma caused by sexual abuse.
Effective Therapies for Sexual Abuse Survivors
A variety of evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies provide relief for individuals living with the effects of sexual abuse. Prolonged exposure therapy, psychodynamic therapy, talk therapy, and other services help clients process their experiences. Survivors and people impacted by the effects of sexual abuse benefit from participating in professional mental health treatment programs and services. We offer clients and their loved ones essential support and therapy to ensure individuals in treatment for SUD have the resources and skills to manage underlying issues impacting their mental health.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy and related forms of psychotherapy, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, provide clients with essential support. Individuals with a history of sexual abuse and SUD benefit from participating in CBT. Clients learn to identify, challenge, and replace negative thought patterns and behaviors. TF-CBT specifically addresses the unique impact of past abuse by helping people safely process their trauma under the direction of trauma specialists. CBT and TF-CBT provide clients with the tools and skills to manage triggers and regulate emotions. We also offer other forms of psychotherapy, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and complementary therapies.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Trauma Recovery
EMDR is a form of therapy designed specifically to address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions using bilateral eye movement. The therapy can reduce symptoms of sexual trauma, allowing clients to focus on treatment and recovery. EMDR participants often report positive changes within the first handful of sessions.
Holistic Approaches to Healing from Sexual Abuse
Some examples of the holistic therapies we offer include:
- Art therapy
- Drama therapy
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
A combination of evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies helps clients learn the skills to regulate emotions, reducing the risk of relapse and improving overall mental health.
The Importance of Safe Spaces and Support Systems
Individuals who have experienced sexual trauma may close themselves off from others to avoid being hurt again. Withdrawing from friends and family may help some individuals feel more comfortable and safe. However, humans need healthy social connections to thrive. Driftwood Recovery helps clients learn to set healthy boundaries and create positive social connections with peers and members of the care team. Group psychotherapy and community support provide clients with a safe space to process trauma. Building healthy relationships improves confidence and reduces stress.
Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Unique Challenges and Approaches
Childhood trauma has long-term effects. Adult survivors of sexual trauma, especially women, have an increased risk of developing substance use disorder. According to the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, “Studies of interpersonal trauma and substance abuse in women have shown a strong association between the two conditions.” Everyone faces unique challenges, and we use tailored care plans to help adult survivors of sexual abuse heal and grow. Our trauma and mental health experts work with clients to determine what approach will provide the best support during treatment.
Coping Strategies and Management Techniques
Effective coping mechanisms for dealing with trauma include:
- Grounding techniques
- Mindfulness exercises
- Deep breathing
- Positive self-talk and affirmations
Stress management and trauma-informed care reduce the severity of trauma responses by teaching clients to develop essential coping skills.
Navigating the Road to Recovery: What Driftwood Recovery Offers
Driftwood Recovery offers personalized care and comprehensive treatment programs for individuals with co-occurring SUD and trauma-related mental health issues. Our programs include a residential treatment and a community integration program (CIP) designed to provide clients with a safe and structured environment for continued healing. We offer people a welcoming and nurturing environment where they can learn the necessary skills to regain control of their lives.
The Role of Advocacy and Awareness in Addressing Sexual Abuse
We empower survivors of sexual abuse through education and compassionate care. Advocacy and awareness play a critical role in addressing sexual abuse by breaking the silence and normalizing conversations about socially stigmatized topics, including sexual assault and trauma. We advocate for our clients and combat stigmas by educating individuals on the realities of substance use, trauma, and sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse and trauma can impact a person’s recovery from substance use disorder. To learn more about trauma treatment at Driftwood Recovery, call our office today at (512) 759-8330.
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