The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains a trauma-informed approach to addiction treatment. This approach defines itself as one that:
- Realizes the severe impact of trauma and understands the potential paths for recovery
- Recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in all those involved in the treatment system
- Responds appropriately by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices
- Actively seeks to resist re-traumatization
Nova Recovery Center
The Importance of
Trauma-Informed Practices
Most people with substance abuse disorders and addiction have faced painful experiences. These experiences often lead to their use and relapse. No matter if the trauma was one event or many, recent or long ago, the impact is still severe.
Nova uses trauma-informed practices. It creates a culture that understands trauma and its link to addiction.
This approach meets the needs of people affected by trauma. This understanding helps us create a space and rehab program that improves recovery. It gives clients a place where they feel safe, understood, and heard.
ALCOHOL
Withdrawal can be life-threatening without medical care. We monitor vital signs and use medications when needed to reduce symptoms and complications.
Opiates & Opioids Detox
From prescription painkillers to illicit opioids like fentanyl, our detox programs help manage physical dependence and intense cravings.
Benzodiazepines
Stopping medications like Xanax, Valium, and Ativan slowly with a doctor’s help is important. Stopping suddenly can lead to seizures and more anxiety.
Cocaine
While not physically addictive in the same way as opioids, cocaine detox requires emotional and psychological stabilization.
Heroin
Our compassionate team provides 24/7 support during heroin withdrawal, using medications and therapy to reduce discomfort and promote stability.
Methamphetamine
Meth detox can cause extreme fatigue, depression, and anxiety. We help ease these symptoms in a structured, supportive setting.
Prescription Drugs
We assist individuals taking medications such as Adderall, Ambien, or painkillers, concentrating on their physical symptoms and psychological well-being through prescription drug detox.
Synthetic Drugs
Detox from synthetic cannabinoids, bath salts, or designer stimulants is managed with careful observation and individualized treatment plans.
Nova Recovery Center
Trauma-Informed Care at Nova
The Nova staff strives to provide the best therapeutic experience possible to clients who have a history of trauma. From the first day of a client’s treatment to the end, our skilled counselors provide care with a trauma-informed approach. This helps us find signs of survivors from traumatic events. It also lets clients discuss their issues without fear of shame or lack of knowledge from our staff.
Our skilled treatment team works together to combine our 12-step program with clinical methods. One method we use is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This helps us deal with complex trauma in a deeper way.
This mix of treatment methods helps us see symptoms clearly. It also shows how trauma affects daily life. We help clients understand the relationship issues that need fixing.
At Nova, we focus on creating a supportive environment in our rehab center for our clients. The core of our drug and alcohol rehab treatment team culture and philosophy is:
Physical and emotional safety
Trust and healthy boundaries
Having a voice and validating feelings
Partnership and promoting choice
We know how traumatic experiences can affect clients’ relationships, views of the world, and self-image. We also see the coping styles they use to handle these effects. With trauma-informed practices, we help clients deal with deep trauma. We learn where it came from, how to work through it, and how to move forward in recovery.
Nova Recovery Center
DETOX & REHAB LOCATIONS
All facilities have licensed professionals. Each one offers private rooms, holistic services, and long-term treatment options.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT
WE HAVE TO OFFER!
More Time. More Joy. More You. Start Now.
WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCES
Examples of Trauma-Informed
Care In Our Treatment Programming
At our rehab center, we created our addiction treatment program using trauma-informed practices. We focus on specific parts of our program, like the Core Emotional Addiction (CEA) Model.
This model helps us understand how shame affects each client. It looks at how shame impacts their ability to cope, maintain relationships, and stay sober. We also include The Daring Way™ in our Family Program. This is in addition to therapy on family issues, family dynamics, and fixing damaged relationships.
Nova Recovery Center dedicates itself to helping you or your loved one get help. Please call or fill out this form for a confidential consultation. One of our understanding, dedicated advisors will contact you about your options.
Residential Rehab
Residential Rehab
Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient Rehab
Sober Living
Sober Living
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Trauma‑informed addiction treatment acknowledges that many individuals with substance use disorders have experienced past trauma. It integrates understanding of trauma into addiction care—recognizing trauma’s impact, responding with tailored approaches, and avoiding re‑traumatization within treatment settings.
Unlike traditional models that may focus solely on addiction behaviors, trauma‑informed care emphasizes safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration. It centers trauma history, engages individuals in decision‑making, and purposely avoids triggering trauma reactions during care.
Because trauma often underlies substance use and relapse, trauma‑informed care addresses root causes rather than just symptoms. It fosters better engagement, lower relapse rates, holistic healing, stronger therapeutic relationships, and enhanced long-term recovery outcomes.
Anyone with a history of trauma—whether or not they have a PTSD diagnosis—can benefit. These approaches support individuals dealing with abuse, neglect, loss, accidents, or emotional distress that contribute to substance use behaviors.
Yes—providers can effectively integrate trauma-informed frameworks into outpatient programs, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), partial hospitalization (PHP), and traditional residential settings. Flexibility allows personalization of care according to individual needs.