Anything happening in the first 17 years of a person’s life which results in limbic trauma, (i.e. emotional trauma) resulting in the person trying to find coping mechanisms which can ultimately lead to depression, anxiety, and addiction. In the case of somebody who suffers from an active addiction, he or she will repeatedly indulge in substances and processes in an attempt to alleviate this distress, regardless of the negative consequences.
We know that addictive behaviours are fuelled by a chronic oversensitivity to emotional distress. These feelings exist in our limbic system and are often a direct result of childhood trauma.
What happens within the family unit has a huge influence over us in later life, and the coping mechanisms we develop as children stay with us long into adulthood.
As our experts states; ‘There’s no such thing as a perfect parent, and it’s very important for me to state that the work I do with a patient isn’t about trying to blame their mum, dad or primary carer. Instead, it’s a process of understanding what happened through adult eyes, in order to reduce any feelings of carried shame, and to reduce the impact of the trauma itself.’
Serenity Healthcare understands how important it is for someone to come to terms with their history, in order to smooth the path for what lies ahead. Throughout the treatment program we offer therapies that we believe are the gateway to this process, that has the effect of de-traumatizing the limbic system, which is key to a successful recovery.