Complex trauma is a condition that arises after experiencing prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events, typically in a context where it’s difficult to escape. For example, a young child who is repeatedly neglected and abused doesn’t have the option to leave home. They are dependent on their caregivers to care for them. When the child grows up, they will likely be different from their peers who were loved and cared for. 

People who experience complex trauma are at a higher risk for developing a substance use disorder. They are more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol to numb their emotions and escape painful memories. And, since they were likely never taught healthy coping mechanisms, they don’t know any other way to cope. Understanding complex trauma and the effects it has on individuals is essential to providing comprehensive treatment and support. 

Let’s learn more about complex trauma, its symptoms, its effects on a person’s life and the various treatment approaches available. 

Defining Complex Trauma 

Unlike post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can result from a single traumatic event such as an accident or natural disaster, complex trauma stems from multiple, continuous traumatic experiences. These experiences often occur in childhood and include things like abuse, neglect, domestic violence or living in a war zone. 

What makes complex trauma unique is the chronic nature of the stressors, which significantly impact the individual’s development and overall mental health. Furthermore, complex trauma often involves multiple types of traumas, such as sexual abuse, emotional abuse and physical abuse, sometimes all at once. As one can imagine, it’s difficult to grow up to be a confident, secure and happy person when you’ve been exposed to frequent, chronic stress. 

Who is Most Likely to Develop Complex Trauma? 

Anyone who experiences repeated traumatic events, such as childhood abuse or neglect, can develop complex trauma. However, some individuals are more likely to be affected by this than others. The risk factors for complex trauma include experiencing trauma at an early age, experiencing trauma that lasted a long time, being unable to escape from the trauma, going through multiple different traumas and being hurt by someone close to you. 

Symptoms of Complex Trauma 

The symptoms of complex trauma are varied and can affect many aspects of a person’s life. Common symptoms of repeated trauma are: 

• Emotional dysregulation. Individuals may have a hard time managing their emotions, often experiencing intense and unpredictable mood swings. 
• Dissociation. A person might feel detached from themselves or their surroundings, as if they were observing life from outside their body rather than inside it. 
• Interpersonal difficulties. Relationships can be difficult due to trust issues. People who have experienced complex trauma often have trouble with intimacy due to a fear of abandonment. 
• Negative self-perception. Those affected by repeated trauma often harbor feelings of shame, guilt and worthlessness. 
• Cognitive distortions. Individuals might also develop a skewed view of themselves and the world, seeing the world as a dangerous place with people they can’t trust. They also tend to feel powerless. 

Impact of Complex Trauma 

It’s clear that living with a history of repeated trauma takes a toll on a person’s mental health. This is why the effects of complex trauma are profound and far-reaching, affecting an individual’s ability to function well in everyday life. With a history of chronic trauma, people are more likely to experience: 

• Mental health disorders. Anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder and substance use are all common mental health conditions that can occur with repeated trauma. The symptoms of these disorders make it even harder to cope. 
• Physical health issues. Trauma doesn’t just affect a person emotionally and mentally but physically as well. People with a history of trauma often experience chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular problems as a result of the stress.
• Attachment and relationship issues. When trauma is experienced over and over again, people develop ways to cope, often which are unhealthy. They tend to pull away to protect themselves, leading to poor attachment and relationship problems. 

Treatment Approaches 

Treating complex trauma requires a comprehensive approach, especially when the person is also dealing with substance use or poor mental health. If these issues aren’t addressed, they can sabotage the recovery process and make it difficult for the person to work through underlying trauma. This is why choosing a comprehensive, dual diagnosis treatment program that specializes in trauma is so important. It ensures the person receives treatment for all of their problems simultaneously. 

The key approaches to treating complex trauma are: 

• Trauma-focused therapy. Therapies like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) are specifically designed to address the impact of trauma without re-experiencing the traumatic effects. 
• Somatic therapies. These therapies focus on the connection between the mind and body, helping individuals process trauma through bodily sensations and movements. Again, the goal is to work through the trauma without reliving the terrifying effects. 
• Attachment-based therapy. Given the impact on relationships, therapies that focus on building healthy attachments and improving relational patterns are crucial. Family therapy is also largely beneficial, helping families reconnect and build trust despite difficult backgrounds. 
• Medication. While not a standalone treatment, medications can manage symptoms like depression and anxiety, making therapy more effective. 

Treating Trauma and Substance Use in Pennsylvania 

Recovery Cove is an outpatient treatment center that works with individuals experiencing mental health and substance use issues. We specialize in trauma therapy, recognizing the link between unresolved trauma and self-medicating to numb pain. Trauma therapy is a key way for clients to address the root cause of their substance use disorders, heal the mind and body and work toward long-lasting sobriety. All treatment plans are tailored to the individual and include a mix of group therapy, relapse prevention, managing co-occurring disorders and developing healthy hobbies and activities. To learn more about our approach to treating trauma and substance use, contact Recovery Cove at 484-549-COVE.