Trauma-Informed Care San Antonio

According to the National Institutes of Health, 70% of all American adults experience some type of trauma during their lifetime. That’s roughly 223 million people who have had to cope with the aftereffects of trauma at some point.  Moreover, 20% of these Americans are estimated to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and at any given time in the US, there are 24.4 million people who are impacted by the ravages of PTSD or some trauma-related emotional disharmony.  In light of these staggering statistics, there is an urgent need for high-quality emotional treatment for Americans struggling to cope with trauma. Fortunately, when it comes to trauma-informed care, San Antonio offers the best treatment available. 


What is Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)?

Clinically speaking, TIC is a mental health approach that uses cognitive understanding and neurological science to interpret how trauma is processed in the brain, as well as how trauma manifests itself in an individual's life. 

Trauma-informed care is a mental health approach that seeks to treat individuals suffering from trauma at a historic, systemic level.  In other words, TIC does not treat the symptoms - it treats the whole person.  It is a practice that devotes time and attention to learning who a person is, how he or she is suffering from past or current trauma, and then utilizing this information to cultivate a results-driven goal to provide tailored mental health support.  

TIC also recognizes that an individual suffering from trauma may have a history of trauma, and they may also be vulnerable to re-experiencing emotional unrest stemming from traumatic events in their lives.  At New Day, our Texas trauma-informed care team is composed of licensed clinicians who seek to understand our patients from a holistic view. We integrate this knowledge into a bespoke mental health plan that is both encouraging, supportive, and effective in facilitating long-term recovery and freedom from the negative impact of traumatization.

The Main Principles of Trauma-Informed Care

When it comes to seeking trauma-informed care, Texas mental health treatment centers should abide by core principles established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in collaboration with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Center for Trauma-Informed Care.  These principles are part of the CDC’s Center for Preparedness and Response and serve as a standard when utilizing trauma-informed care-based treatments for addictions and other mental health conditions.  The main principles of trauma-informed care are:

  1. Safety

  2. Trustworthiness and transparency

  3. Peer support

  4. Collaboration and mutuality

  5. Empowerment and choice

  6. Cultural, historical, and gender issues

These core principles are an integral guide for quality treatment and should be purposefully put into play by every high-integrity trauma-informed care San Antonio, TX center, such as found at New Day Recovery.

Key Components of Trauma-Informed Care

According to SAMHSA’s guidelines, there are four key components to trauma-informed care Texas and national health professionals should implement during treatment.  These four components, as established by SAMHSA, are known as the “Four R’s,” and they are as follows:

  • Realizing trauma and how it affects people and the community

  • Recognizing signs of trauma

  • Responding to trauma

  • Resisting the possibility of re-traumatization

Why Trauma-Informed Care is Important

Trauma-informed care in Texas and throughout the nation is important in treating the whole person rather than simply addressing the symptoms.  TIC recognizes the seriousness of understanding the life experiences of patients struggling with trauma.  Additionally, TIC strives to administer effective mental health care that is focused on providing patients with optimal mental health outcomes.  TIC is an immersive approach that seeks to enhance patient engagement and ultimately encourages patients to adhere to treatment for long-term wellness.

The Correlation Between Trauma and Substance Use Disorder

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have amassed an epic amount of medical journals and research that conclusively ascertains substance use disorder (SUD) can be directly linked to trauma. In fact, according to current NIH statistics, the combination of trauma and substance use affects 40% of the population in the US.  Furthermore, people who undergo trauma are 12 times more likely to develop a substance and/or alcohol use disorder.  Given this, mental health professionals can confidently determine that the presence of trauma in an individual’s life drastically increases the risk of him or her developing a substance use disorder.  

Conversely, medical research also concludes that people with SUD are also more susceptible to experiencing traumatic events.  Ergo, there are millions of people living in an endless cycle of trauma associated with an ongoing struggle with alcohol or substance use.  Given the clear connection between trauma and use disorders, trauma-informed care for addiction is crucial when seeking quality treatment.

How Trauma-Informed Care Can Help With Addiction Treatment

Considering the undeniable connection between SUD and trauma, mental health professionals today rightly postulate that trauma-informed care for substance abuse is an effective approach to total, whole-person healing.  In fact, when TIC is used in conjunction with addiction treatment therapies, NIH studies show that patients are 10 times more likely to respond positively and are also more likely to adhere to treatment long-term. 

How Addiction Treatment Should Address Trauma In Treatment

Given the clear correlation between SUD and trauma, both TIC and SUD therapies should work hand-in-hand to ensure effective recovery.  Additionally, both approaches to mental health wellness and substance use recovery can work together as well as interchangeably.  Using the guidelines, principles, and components of TIC, along with the standard principles of addiction treatment, often renders better results than any one stand-alone therapy.  The principles of SUD therapy focus on overcoming the stigma of SUD as well as targeting the importance of empathy, education, knowledge, and support. These SUD tenets, combined with the aforementioned six principles of TIC, culminate into a powerful and effective multifaceted approach that proves to be highly effective for long-term recovery. 

Who Can Benefit from Trauma-Informed Care (TIC)?

If you or someone you know has been subjected to trauma, then TIC can prove to be a tremendous benefit.  It’s important to note that trauma affects different people in different ways.  Moreover, instances of trauma left untreated could develop into more complex and aggressive mental health conditions such as PTSD, chronic anxiety, depression, alcohol and/or substance use disorder, or in severe cases, borderline personality disorder. 

As we observed earlier, trauma is a regrettable reality, afflicting millions of Americans every year.  However, studies reveal that trauma in women is slightly elevated, particularly in terms of trauma sustained through sexual assault.  Children are also incredibly susceptible to trauma due to child abuse.  Additionally, studies show that 20% of all US veterans struggle with some type of trauma.  While certain demographics experience trauma more prevalently and can certainly benefit from TIC, anyone who is emotionally afflicted with the aftershocks of trauma can benefit from this highly attuned and empathic approach to treatment.   

Is Trauma-Informed Care for Me?

If the effects of trauma are robbing you of the control, freedom, and joys life has to offer - then the answer is emphatically, yes.  At our trauma-informed care San Antonio New Day centers, we understand that the choice to seek treatment can be filled with uncertainty.  That is why we make every effort to assess your specific needs in a professional, compassionate manner. At New Day Recovery, we know what it’s like to grapple with trauma.  Our trauma-informed care approach is both life-affirming and effective. Our licensed professionals are dedicated to guiding you toward long-term mental health on every step of your journey to total well-being.

Additional Treatment Options at New Day Recovery Services

In addition to TIC, New Day Recovery Services provides a rich array of other therapies.  For instance, we offer results-driven substance use disorder education, individual therapy, 12-step support, and group therapy.  We also specialize in individualized relapse prevention plans, family support, and ongoing education.  Our dedicated team can help you through our enriching outpatient programs, recovery coaching, and sober living programs.  We are here to help, and we are motivated to place you on the path to healing. 

Trauma Informed Care San Antonio FAQs

  • The terms for trauma-centric treatments are often used interchangeably, but there are differences. Trauma therapy is often conducted on a more clinical level and is purposed to render treatment to subdue symptoms caused by trauma. Alternatively, trauma-informed care takes a more overarching, holistic approach in that it aims to explore the effects of trauma in a patient’s life and then tailors a strategy that delivers care in an inclusive, supportive format.

  • There are various approaches to treating trauma, and the best therapy is highly individualized. For instance, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is commonly used for teens or children who have endured trauma because it has been proven effective. Alternatively, cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is effective in adults suffering from PTSD, for its effectiveness at drawing patients out of a state of feeling helpless or having a lack of control.

  • The effects of trauma manifest differently from person to person. Common emotional responses to trauma may include detachment, withdrawal, shame, depression, shock, anger, anxiety, fear, panic, or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. In reality, trauma can trigger a broad range of emotions that should be addressed in a supportive environment with a professional mental health care provider.

  • Trauma-informed practices, done rightly, should take a multi-layered approach. Meaning, trauma-centric treatment is not a “one size fits all” equation when treating individuals. One primary example of trauma-informed practice includes getting a full assessment of the trauma via a comprehensive screening process. Other examples include engaging patients for most effective treatment, providing a supportive, safe environment as well as ensuring mental health staff providers are fully trained in trauma-informed care practices.