While not a given, we often do see folks come into treatment struggling with co-occurring substance use disorder and trauma. If trauma is part of your story, you’re not alone. Trauma doesn’t always look like what you may expect. It could stem from childhood neglect or a violent encounter; it could also originate from repeated emotional wounds that shape how you see the world and yourself.
At Monument Recovery, our entire approach to treatment is built on a foundation of understanding how trauma impacts addiction and recovery. Clinical Director Bradley Wagner explains, "We obviously are going to look at the substance use disorder portion of it, but we also look at it through a trauma-informed lens as well.” This approach ensures that treatment isn’t just focused on stopping substance use but also on addressing the emotional and psychological variables that got you into the addiction cycle in the first place.
Trauma-informed care is more than a piece of treatment jargon thrown around to make a program sound nice. It is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that actively shapes how treatment is delivered. This means creating a safe environment where there is no judgment, no shame, and no pressure to talk about difficult experiences before you’re ready.
It also means helping you recognize the signs of trauma. It’s not uncommon for people to brush off events that have negatively impacted their quality of life and confidently state they don’t have any trauma. Through a trauma-informed approach, our aim is to help you take control of your healing process rather than feel like a passive participant.
"Hearing our PHP clients talking about their wise mind, emotional mind, and reasonable mind—that’s when we know it’s working.” The trauma-informed approach is crucial because addiction recovery isn’t just about stopping drug or alcohol use; it’s about learning how to live life differently.
We at Monument Recovery are big believers in DBT and all of its subsequent forms. When used properly, it can be one of the most powerful tools in the trauma-informed care arsenal. It is essentially a roadmap for how to handle emotions, make better choices, and improve relationships.
DBT is a core part of treatment at Monument. "Our PHP and IOP clients are getting Dialectical Behavioral Therapy three times a week. They’re also getting Acceptance and Commitment Therapy…and Mindful Self-Compassion once a week.”
DBT comprises four major areas. Distress tolerance helps individuals learn crisis survival skills so they don’t act impulsively when overwhelmed. Emotional regulation teaches clients to understand their emotions rather than letting them take control. Mindfulness trains you to stay present instead of getting stuck in past regrets or future worries. Finally, interpersonal effectiveness builds stronger, healthier relationships through clear and assertive communication.
A lot of men enter treatment thinking they’ll feel amazing right away. The truth? The early days can be tough. "A huge misconception is that you’re going to come into treatment and feel great all of a sudden. But the reality is, a lot of clients are feeling emotionally raw because that veil of self-medication has been stripped away.” Clinical Director Bradley Wagner knows that feeling emotions isn’t a bad thing - it’s a part of healing.
Learning to sit with your emotions instead of running from them is one of the benefits of trauma-informed care. Over time, this builds real confidence and resilience—the kind that lasts beyond the time in treatment. Understanding that emotions are not dangerous, but rather part of the human experience, can be a transformative realization in the recovery journey.
We know that addiction has a ripple effect across the entire family system. That’s why our trauma-informed program focuses on family healing. Wagner explains, "While the client is in treatment, their loved ones don’t have the same platform. Oftentimes, they are suffering in silence.”
Family therapy sessions help loved ones understand addiction and heal together. Family support groups provide a space for families to process their own emotions and learn about codependency, boundaries, and healthy communication.
Another powerful element is the "Knee-to-Knee" exercise, where active listening and validation are used to rebuild trust and connection. Through these programs, families gain the tools to support their loved ones in recovery while also addressing their own healing needs.
If you’re thinking about getting help for addiction, choosing a program that takes trauma seriously can make all the difference. Bradley emphasizes the importance of this approach: "Clients learn that they don’t have to use over their emotions. They can actually process sadness, grief, and unresolved trauma in a safe, supportive atmosphere."
When it comes to recovery, how you heal matters just as much as what you heal from. Selecting a program that truly understands trauma’s role in addiction ensures that recovery is not only possible but sustainable in the long term.