For many people, especially those who have experienced trauma, addiction is not just about getting high or escaping reality. It’s about survival. Substances or addictive behaviours can offer temporary relief from emotional pain, flashbacks, or feelings of emptiness.
As trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (2014) explains, “the body keeps the score.” When trauma isn’t processed or healed, it can lead to a persistent sense of being unsafe or dysregulated. Substances may temporarily soothe these feelings by numbing emotional pain or providing a sense of control.
Imagine someone who experienced emotional neglect as a child. They may not have learned how to talk about their feelings or ask for help when things felt overwhelming. Later in life, when stress or anxiety shows up, substances might become their only way to feel relief—even if that relief is short-lived and comes with long-term consequences.
Trauma and Addiction in the South African Context
South Africa carries a heavy legacy of collective trauma—apartheid, poverty, violence, and inequality have left their mark on generations. Many communities continue to face high levels of unemployment, domestic violence, and crime. These are not just statistics—they are lived experiences that create ongoing emotional wounds.
This environment can make people more vulnerable to turning to substances or addictive behaviours to cope. These patterns are often passed from generation to generation when trauma goes unacknowledged and untreated.
The stakes are tragically high. South Africa ranks 10th globally for suicide rates, with men dying by suicide at a rate of 37.6 per 100,000—far higher than women (South African Federation for Mental Health, 2022). Many of these deaths are tied to untreated mental health issues, unspoken pain, and limited access to support systems.
Trauma-Informed Recovery Is Key
Healing from trauma and addiction means addressing both—not just the substance use. Trauma-informed care recognises that behaviours like drinking or drug use are not merely problems to eliminate, but survival strategies that made sense at the time.
Effective treatment focuses on:
- Creating emotional safety and trust
- Processing past trauma in a structured way
- Learning healthy coping mechanisms
- Building support systems
In South Africa, many treatment programmes offer an integrated approach that includes group work, structured therapies, and life skills development. If you’re seeking recovery, it is important to know that your options go beyond just detox and withdrawal. Addressing the trauma beneath addiction can help transform the relationship with substances—from one of survival to one of self-care.
What Trauma-Informed Counselling Looks Like
Therapy that understands trauma involves:
Prioritising Safety
Counsellors create a safe space—physical and emotional—where your story is respected.
Building Trust
Consistency and transparency build trust over time; trust is part of the healing process.
Collaborative Approach
You and your counsellor work together to set goals and decide how best to proceed.
Developing Coping Tools
Evidence-based strategies like grounding exercises, controlled breathing, and mindfulness can help you stay present and reduce distress.
Hope Is Always Possible
Healing trauma is not about erasing the past. It is about learning how to live meaningfully now, with creativity, connection, and strength. Many people find their relationships grow deeper, their sense of purpose evolves, and their capacity to enjoy life increases as they work through trauma.
In my practice, I walk alongside people through this process. We explore how pain has shaped your story, learn to name and say your experience out loud, and find ways to care for yourself—every single day. I offer individual counselling and family therapy.
Getting Started Today
You do not need to know everything about trauma or recovery. The important part is that you reach out. Counselling helps you develop tools, build connections, and recognise your own strengths.
You deserve more than just coping. You deserve healing, connection, joy, and a life based on choice, rather than escape.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM‑5‑TR). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
South African Federation for Mental Health. (2022). Breaking the silence on men’s mental health in South Africa. https://www.safmh.org/breaking-the-silence-on-mens-mental-health-in-south-africa
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books.
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