Concurrent Disorders Treatment Services
Trauma and Addiction Treatment
How We Help
At York Addiction & Mental Health, we approach treatment through trauma-informed care, working with clients to understand the real reasoning behind their addiction rather than treating the substance use as the whole problem.
Alcohol and drugs are often symptoms of unresolved trauma, which is why we look at trauma directly through emotional-based recovery, one-on-one therapy, and medical detoxification, rather than detox alone.
How Trauma and Addiction Are Connected
Trauma, particularly childhood trauma, is a common root cause of addiction, with substance use often developing as a coping mechanism for overwhelming emotions or experiences. Research shows that 70% of adolescents receiving substance use treatment had a history of trauma, and up to 59% of young adults who experience trauma go on to develop a substance use problem. When someone experiences trauma, the brain adapts to cope with it, growing and changing in ways that affect a person well into adulthood, a process called plasticity. That same adaptation raises levels of stress hormones like cortisol, which interferes with normal brain development and helps explain why one traumatic event can reshape a person's relationship with substances for years afterward.
Symptoms of Trauma
Trauma can show up in a range of emotional, physical, and psychological ways, including:
- Anxiety, flashbacks, and difficulty managing emotions
- Agitation, irritability, and low self-esteem
- Difficulty concentrating, and either avoidance of or preoccupation with the traumatic event
- Trouble connecting with others, including problems with intimacy and social relationships
This isn’t a complete list, and people who’ve experienced childhood trauma or a traumatic event may show other symptoms as coping mechanisms or responses that aren’t immediately obvious from the outside.
Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters
We focus on the solution, not just the problem, which means we're not simply helping clients detox, we're exploring the trauma underneath through evidence-based mental health treatment to understand what's actually driving the substance use. Left unresolved, trauma keeps the brain looking for a way to cope, and without healthier options available, that coping tends to happen in unhealthy ways. Trauma-informed care creates a safe space to explore triggers and sensitivities without risking re-traumatization, addressing the root cause rather than only the symptoms on the surface, and it also reduces the chances of re-traumatization or addiction returning down the line.
Our Concurrent Treatment Programs for Trauma and Addiction
At York Addiction & Mental Health, our concurrent treatment for trauma and addiction includes:
Medical Detox
Our medical professionals manage withdrawal symptoms directly during medical detox, with tailored care and medication support for a safer, more comfortable path to healing.
Drug Addiction Treatment
We provide support and guidance for clients working through dependence on substances including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, DMT, fentanyl, opiates, ecstasy, prescription medications, GHB, and methamphetamine.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Clients working through trauma and an alcohol use disorder receive a personalized program with continuous monitoring and professional support to help manage withdrawal and support long-term sobriety.
Mental Health Treatment
We use a blend of modalities tailored to each client, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, individual counselling, and group counselling, supported by ongoing continued care once initial treatment ends.
Talk to Our Team and Find Recovery Today
Every client’s experience of Trauma and Addiction Treatment looks a little different depending on their history. Call York Addiction & Mental Health at 1-888-241-3391 or reach out through our contact page, and our team can walk you through what this looks like for you specifically.