Workshop One - Janina Fisher Unresolved Trauma and Addictive Disorders

Childhood abuse and neglect leave a lasting imprint on the brain and nervous system.  With a traumatised brain, individuals are left with overwhelming memories, little tolerance for emotion or stress, and very limited ability to access good judgment. The result is heightened vulnerability to compulsive behavior and substance abuse. Research tells us that 40-70% of clients in addictions recovery programs have histories of trauma. Inevitably, many therapists find themselves working with individuals whose trauma recoveries are complicated by substance abuse and patterns of self-harm.  Often, we are told that the client has to be sober to undertake trauma treatment or we are taught that addressing the underlying issuesof trauma should be the first priority.  But only treatment strategies that address both trauma related responses and their addictive behavior simultaneously can adequately address the challenges faced by these clients.
Learning Outcomes:
1.Articulate the effects of trauma on the brain and autonomic nervous system
2.Assess client symptoms indicative of autonomic dysregulation
3.Evaluate the role of addictive behavior as a response to traumatic activation
4.Utilize interventions that regulate brain and autonomic function in traumatized clients