Trauma Part 1 of 3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:22 — 51.3MB) | Embed

The Recovery Rebirth Podcast presents “Trauma” related to addiction and maladaptive behaviors. Trauma is the gateway drug. Parts 2 and 3 coming soon so please subscribe to the podcast.

In this episode, we delve into the complex, vast topic of trauma. We realized quickly that we could not do this topic justice in just one podcast, so we recorded three.

In this initial podcast, we discuss different types of trauma, detailed below. We also discuss “big T” vs. “little t trauma”.

We talk about the links between trauma and addiction, codependency and other maladaptive coping mechanisms we utilize when we have unprocessed trauma.

We also touch on epigenetics, which is essentially how trauma affects not only the individual experiencing the trauma, but their ancestors. Here is a simple definition:

ep·i·ge·net·ic/ˌepəjəˈnedik/ relating to or arising from nongenetic influences on gene expression.

We talk about how trauma affected our relationship patterns and choices in partners. Repetition compulsion can compel us to enter relationships that mimic the dynamics of traumatic childhood experiences (e.g. parental abandonment) This reinforces damaging narratives such as “I’m not worthy” when we feel abandoned or rejected.

We share our personal experiences of childhood and adult trauma. Trigger warning: personal shares include topics of sexual and physical assault.

Resources

Books

“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma”—Bessel van der Kolk, MD

“Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma”—Peter A. Levine

Articles

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/11/05/776550377/cdc-childhood-trauma-is-a-public-health-issue-and-we-can-do-more-prevent-it

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/02/387007941/take-the-ace-quiz-and-learn-what-it-does-and-doesnt-mean

Websites

https://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/

https://traumahealing.org/

Videos