“Wounded children have a rage, a sense of failed justice that burns in their souls. What do they do with that rage? Since they would never harm another, they turn that rage inward. They become the target of their own rage. They repeat in their thoughts the same harmful words that were spoken to them. They must lash out, but the only ones weak enough to attack are themselves.” Woody Haiken, Wounded Child Coaching
Addiction is a form of self-harm, self-destruction, and self-sabotage. When a child, an adolescent, a teenager, or a form of one of the three which is frozen in time inside of an adult, has nowhere to put the rage, anger, frustration, sadness, and fear which comes from trauma, it turns on the self. Buddha is often quoted as saying that anger is the poison meant for someone else we drink ourselves. Turning our emotions inward starts a path of destruction that takes many forms. Addiction is one of those paths. At once, drugs and alcohol act as an anesthetic, numbing the painful emotions of trauma, and further trauma, creating more pain with every hit, every injection, and every drink.
Mental illness of any kind creates a higher risk for substance abuse. Trauma instantaneously creates an illness of the mind and body. Blunt shock and trauma leaves bruises, sometimes real and visible, sometimes real and not visible. Though physical bruises may fade, the real emotional bruises of trauma do not go away. Founder of the somatic experiencing therapy approach Dr. Peter Levine explains, “Trauma is hell on earth. Trauma resolved is a gift from the Gods.” Until an individual can find therapeutic resolution through treatment for their trauma, they will find resolution where they can. Dysfunctional relationships, compulsive behavioral problems, eating disorders, self-harm, and addiction are often the temporary solution people feel they need. Drugs and alcohol create a sense of euphoria, a surplus in the production of feelings of pleasure that makes the trauma, for at least a moment, go away. Feeling in control of their emotion, escaping the pain of the emotion they cannot control- it is a compromise they are willing to make. More accurately, it is a deal they are willing to take as they continue to sacrifice their health, happiness, and ability to recover.
Unfortunately, addiction becomes a trauma of its own. Eventually addiction becomes out of control and causes more pain than it does pleasure. Once every last attempt has been exhausted, an individual is finally ready to face their original traumas, their newly created traumas, and start the process of recovery.
If you are ready to start the healing process of trauma treatment, The Guest House Ocala is ready to welcome you, exactly where you are. Our private residential treatment programs are designed with a concierge style clinical program, meeting each unique need of our residents. Call us today for information on life at the estate and our programs of care: 1-855-483-7800