Generational Trauma Recovery

In some families, trauma moves between generations. Parents may pass their trauma along to the children or other family members. Family-focused mental health treatment can repair these relationships and stop the cycle of trauma. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, "Family health is important to the well-being of individual family members and the collective family unit, and as such, may serve as a mediator for the intergenerational transmission of trauma (ITT)." The mental health experts at West Coast Recovery Centers help clients identify, process, and heal from generational trauma. 

What Is Generational Trauma?

Generational trauma involves transferring the psychological and physiological effects of traumatic experiences from one generation to the next. The effects of trauma may move down through multiple generations, causing additional trauma and maladaptive coping behaviors, including substance abuse. Anyone can experience generational trauma. However, minorities, women, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and people with substance use or mental health disorders have an increased risk of experiencing intergenerational trauma. Most families with intergenerational trauma have multiple risk factors impacting their ability to heal and develop healthy family dynamics. 

Additional risk factors for passing trauma through multiple generations include: 

• Parental post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse or neglect
• Inconsistent parenting 
• Dysfunctional family dynamics, including lack of communication 
• Lack of access to essential physical and mental health services
• Collective cultural trauma 
• Witnessing or experiencing violence in the home or community 
• Lack of a positive support network 

The more factors impacting a person's mental health, the higher their likelihood of developing SUD and other conditions. According to Frontiers in Psychiatry, "A growing body of research underlines that interpersonal trauma in childhood leads to heightened susceptibility for substance use disorders (SUDs) in later life." Unhealthy family dynamics are one of the most common causes of interpersonal trauma in childhood. Trauma can become a cycle unless families receive the necessary support and guidance to break the cycle. 

How Does Generational Trauma Affect Your Health?

Generational trauma affects everyone differently, depending on how they learn to manage it. Some individuals learn effective and appropriate coping skills, while others may rely on maladaptive behaviors, including substance abuse, to manage the emotional pain caused by trauma. 

Trauma and chronic emotional distress may cause the following: 

• Muscle tension and body aches 
• High blood pressure 
• Persistent tiredness and fatigue 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Hormonal imbalances 
• Neurological changes 
• Gastrointestinal issues 
• Increased risk of stroke and heart attack

Establishing healthy routines and processing trauma decreases the risk of these health concerns. West Coast Recovery Centers uses comprehensive assessments to determine what types of support and services a person needs to address mental health issues. Personal growth and skill development are essential parts of addiction recovery and treatment.

Does Generational Trauma Cause Substance Use Disorder?

Trauma passed between generations does not cause SUD or mental health disorders. However, it does significantly increase the risk of a person experiencing both. Breaking the cycle with early treatment is the best way to avoid severe or persistent issues caused by family trauma. Many people living in unhealthy family environments find it difficult to manage stress and maintain emotional stability without outside support. Generational trauma may have a profound effect on all areas of a person's life. 

Trauma and Mental Health Disorders

Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are more common for individuals who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. Intergenerational trauma often leads to multiple family members being diagnosed with substance abuse and mental health disorders. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), "Research has shown that traumatic experiences are associated with both behavioral health and chronic physical health conditions, especially those traumatic events that occur during childhood." In addition, "Substance use, mental health conditions, and other risky behaviors have been linked with traumatic experiences." West Coast Recovery Centers provides mental health support to clients with SUD. 

How Does West Coast Recovery Centers Treat Generational Trauma?

Trauma affects everyone differently. Treatment for substance use disorder allows people to heal and repair family relationships using the tools and resources provided by rehabilitation programs. 

Some of the treatment programs and services offered to clients with SUD and mental health disorders include: 

• Partial hospitalization (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient (IOP)
• Trauma treatment  
• Psychotherapy 
• Alternative holistic therapies 
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
• Alumni services

West Coast Recovery Centers uses tailored treatment plans and trauma-informed care to help clients heal from the effects of substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse

Generational trauma is a cycle of abuse that continues to cause pain and distress until it is broken. Professional mental health treatment provides people with a safe space to explore emotions tied to the trauma and their close relationships. West Coast Recovery Centers helps clients break the cycle of addiction and trauma during treatment for SUD. Families are provided the support and guidance they need to communicate effectively and heal together. 

Trauma can be passed between multiple generations, causing emotional distress and contributing to the development of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Some people use alcohol or drug abuse to cope with the emotional distress, abuse, or neglect caused by intergenerational trauma. The side effects and symptoms of generational trauma cause some people to experience mental and physical health issues. Addressing intergenerational trauma and finding ways to improve overall health reduces the risk of relapse for individuals in recovery. West Coast Recovery Centers offers peer support, therapy, and other support services to help people heal and process their trauma. To learn more about our programs and how treatment can stop the cycle of family trauma, call us at (760) 492-6509.