Symptoms of Trauma Addiction and trauma go hand and hand. Though not every addict dealt with childhood trauma, it is certainly not unusual. Studies have shown a link between childhood trauma and substance use disorders later and life. Beyond the realities of past trauma, the earlier the onset of substance abuse, the greater degree of alteration to physical body structures, including brain development. While it used to be a commonly held belief that the brain was fully developed by adulthood, we now know that the brain is still developing until at least age 25. Use of drugs and alcohol in a developing body and brain, combined with other unhealthy decisions and relationships can lead to further trauma. Symptoms of trauma include: • Withdrawal from others • Feeling sad, hopeless, disconnected or numb • Anger, irritability or mood swings • Anxiety or fear, edginess or agitation • Guilt, shame, and self-blame • Physical symptoms such as aches and pains, insomnia, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating Addicts may regularly experience these and other symptoms of trauma. For others, these symptoms occur only at times of upset or stress, such as when going through withdrawal. Beyond the realities of past trauma, the earlier the onset of substance abuse, the greater degree of alteration to physical body structures, including brain development.
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) So what, exactly is MRT, and how does it assist addicts in recovery to deal with past trauma? Well, conation is a word from psychology meaning, “The part of mental life having to do with striving, including desire and volition.” That means an individual’s drive, purpose, and plans. Addiction hijacks one’s life plans, takes over and redirects life, but also morality. The slippery slope of bad choices and bad experiences lead to an adjusted view of right and wrong and poor judgment. Anyone who has struggled with addiction, or been close to a friend or family member with an addiction, knows what that judgment can look like when it’s been skewed for years: a non-stop roller-coaster ride of bad choices with even worse outcomes. The “re-“ in front of “conation” means “again.” So the aim of reconation is to again restore an individual’s goals and desires. MRT works to restore the moral striving that person had, before addiction hijacked judgment. In conjunction with other components of a drug addiction therapy, MRT helps addicts make better choices going forward in recovery, including choices which help address and diminish the past and potential trauma.
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