Is Porn Bad for You? An Honest Perspective

Well, is porn bad? Is watching porn bad when you’re in a relationship? Is porn bad for you in some unexpected ways? It’s easy to start asking these questions when you’re in the midst of a porn binge watch late at night. Or perhaps you’ve recently discovered pornography and are wondering if you should keep watching it. Maybe you’ve even experienced some unintended consequences from your porn consumption. 

The reality is that many people are watching pornography. Roughly 6 in 10 Americans report having watched porn at some point in their lives, shares the Institute for Family Studies. Even a well-known porn site is now the fourth most visited website in the US, shares Brigham Young University, only behind Google, Youtube, and Facebook. So with all of its popularity, is porn bad or good for you? 

Is Porn Bad? It Depends

Google is porn bad and you may get various answers. Some people tout pornography’s benefits as helpful for exploring your sexuality and understanding your desires. Others may see it as a way to learn about sex and sex techniques. Watching pornography may even make you feel better in the moment or relieve some stress. All of these outcomes may be viewed as good in their own right. 

It’s hard to equate the pornographic content itself as being inherently bad or good. However, when you realize what porn does to your brain, your body, your relationships, and ultimately, your life, you may also realize that watching porn is bad for you. In fact, watching porn regularly over time can lead to a number of negative outcomes that outweigh the “good” ones in the previous paragraph. Even if you’re careful about your porn usage, the fallout of watching porn can generate some unfortunate long-term consequences. 

Why is Watching Porn Bad?  

Watching pornography may not be bad for everyone. But for many, it can cause some real issues that aren’t worth the risk of watching it. Over time, as you watch more and more porn, it may do the following to you:

It Can Mess with Your Brain

Is porn bad for your brain, really? Yes it can be, actually. As mentioned previously, pornography generates a feel-good experience, and that’s because of what it does to your brain. When you watch porn, your brain releases a large amount of the pleasure chemical dopamine, signaling to you that the experience is rewarding. 

This dopamine release drives you to seek out more porn to achieve the same feel-good effects. But eventually as you watch porn regularly, your brain gets overwhelmed by all this dopamine, and it shuts down its dopamine receptors. So pornography’s effects no longer feel as good. And worse, other things that normally make you feel good don’t as much as they used to, either.

It Can Lead to Addiction

As pornography messes with your brain, you may be inclined to seek out more porn than you used to in order to get that original dopamine rush. And because people can watch porn as a way to cope with stress or past trauma, they may be watching porn even more regularly. Over time, your brain develops a chemical dependency on all this dopamine, which means you have a porn addiction. 

But why is porn addiction bad? Porn addiction is considered compulsive sexual behavior and a hypersexual disorder. In other words, your porn consumption is now out of control and you need it to function. A pornography addiction gets in the way of your work, daily responsibilities, and social life as it takes precedence over everything else. And because hypersexuality and trauma are often connected, the unresolved trauma that’s driving your pornography usage is still there, unhealed and unaddressed. 

It Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction

In questioning is porn bad, you may not be thinking about its impact on your body. However, porn and erectile dysfunction are very much intertwined among certain men who watch it regularly. Your brain can’t differentiate arousal from pornography and arousal from sex with a real person. So as you watch porn regularly, you can eventually become desensitized to sexual experiences. Real sexual activity isn’t as exciting or arousing, so it can get more challenging to get or maintain an erection, leading to porn-induced ED. 

It Can Ruin Your Relationships

Porn addiction statistics show that people who consume pornography are twice as likely to later experience a breakup or divorce. That’s because porn can cause betrayal trauma in your partner and ruin the relationship you’ve established. In fact, just as you’ve been Googling is porn bad, many women are Googling my husband is addicted to porn. On the other hand, pornography can mask deeper fear of intimacy or love avoidant tendencies, keeping you from getting the real relationships you need to thrive. 

Is Porn Bad? Consider the Consequences Before You Watch

So, is porn bad for you? Only you can truly decide for yourself. However, in taking a candid look at the long-term effects of pornography consumption, you’re hopefully more educated on its potential consequences. Many people who start watching pornography begin without the awareness of what it can actually do to them, only wishing later down the road they would have known much earlier. Don’t let yourself be that person. 

Get Help for Porn Addiction

If you’re concerned about your porn habits or think you may be addicted, you don’t have to live in shame or fear. With the right professional help, you can overcome its hold on your life. At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, our porn addiction treatment program addresses your addiction’s root causes so you can achieve lasting healing. Take our porn addiction quiz as a first step or call us today to learn more. 

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Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Treatment: What to Expect During Recovery

Recovering from alcohol addiction is a challenging but highly rewarding journey. One of the first steps in recovery is managing alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This can occur when someone who has been drinking heavily for a prolonged period suddenly reduces or stops their alcohol intake. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can range from mild to severe, and the treatment required depends on the severity of the symptoms. In this blog, we will outline the step-by-step process of alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatments, from detox to aftercare, as well as discuss common challenges and solutions to ensure a successful recovery.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome refers to the physical and psychological symptoms that occur when someone who is dependent on alcohol suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol consumption. These symptoms can include anxiety, tremors, sweating, nausea, and, in severe cases, seizures or delirium tremens (DTs). The severity of symptoms typically depends on the length and intensity of alcohol use and the individual’s overall health. If you’re wondering “how long does detox last?”, alcohol detox generally lasts between 3 to 7 days, with symptoms peaking within the first 24 to 72 hours.

For individuals struggling with alcohol dependence, it’s essential to undergo a thorough evaluation, including evaluating criteria for alcohol use disorder. This assessment helps determine the severity of the disorder and guides the appropriate course of treatment for alcohol withdrawal and addiction recovery.

Step 1: Medically Supervised Detox

The treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome begins with detox. Detoxification is the process of allowing the body to rid itself of alcohol while managing the withdrawal symptoms in a safe and controlled environment. Medically supervised detox is the only safe way to detox from alcohol. During this phase, a healthcare professional closely monitors the individual’s physical and mental state, providing medication and other interventions to ease withdrawal symptoms.

At Integrative Life Center, we do not offer medically supervised detox on-site. However, we can help you find a reputable detox facility where you will be supported in a safe environment. Gabapentin for alcohol abuse is one example of a medication that may be used during detox to help manage withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to seek professional detox care to ensure that the process is handled safely and effectively.

Step 2: Managing Withdrawal Symptoms

During the detox process, individuals may experience a variety of symptoms. The severity of symptoms can vary, but common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Mild Symptoms: These can include anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and slight tremors.
• Moderate Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and sweating may occur.
• Severe Symptoms: In more severe cases, individuals may experience seizures or delirium tremens (DTs), which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention.

The goal of alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatments is to manage these symptoms in a safe and supportive way. Medications and other therapeutic interventions may be used to alleviate discomfort and prevent complications. This phase typically lasts for 3 to 7 days, but in some cases, the withdrawal process can extend further depending on the individual’s history of alcohol use.

Step 3: Transitioning to Rehab and Holistic Care

Once the detox process is complete, the next step is to transition into a holistic alcohol rehab program. This phase focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of recovery, addressing the root causes of alcohol use and teaching individuals healthier coping mechanisms.

At a holistic treatment center, individuals engage in a variety of therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed therapy, and support groups. These treatments help individuals understand their relationship with alcohol, uncover underlying emotional pain or trauma, and develop strategies for managing triggers without turning to alcohol.

Holistic alcohol rehab also focuses on the overall well-being of the individual, incorporating wellness practices like meditation, yoga, and nutritional counseling to support both physical and mental health.

Step 4: Aftercare and Long-Term Recovery

After completing a treatment program, ongoing care and support are essential to maintaining long-term recovery. Aftercare programs may include outpatient therapy, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), or ongoing medical check-ins to ensure continued sobriety.

Substance abuse recovery strategies during this phase often include learning new coping skills, improving relationships, and addressing any co-occurring mental health issues. Family therapy and trauma recovery work are also often incorporated to ensure that individuals have the support they need to remain sober.

At Integrative Life Center, we offer continued support through substance abuse treatment and an addiction treatment guide to help individuals navigate their recovery journey. Our holistic detox center is designed to help individuals transition smoothly from detox to rehabilitation and into long-term recovery.

Common Challenges and Solutions

While detox and recovery are rewarding, they can also present several challenges. Some common obstacles during recovery include:

• Managing Triggers: Individuals may face situations or people that trigger a desire to drink. Learning new coping strategies, such as mindfulness or engaging in hobbies, can help manage these triggers.
• Co-Occurring Disorders: Many individuals with alcohol addiction also struggle with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. In these cases, dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both addiction and mental health is essential.
• Relapse: Relapse is common in early recovery, but it is not the end of the journey. Seeking support from a therapist, attending support groups, and having a strong aftercare plan can help individuals get back on track after a relapse.

Seeking Support for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Treatment

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatments are a critical first step in the recovery process. They provide the support and care needed to safely detox and manage withdrawal symptoms. Following detox, a comprehensive recovery plan that includes holistic alcohol rehab, therapy, and aftercare can help individuals break free from the cycle of addiction and build a healthier future. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol addiction, it’s important to seek professional help. At Integrative Life Center, we offer alcohol addiction treatment and substance abuse recovery strategies to support individuals on their path to recovery. While we do not offer medically supervised detox, we can help you find the right detox facility and support you through the next steps in your journey.

Find our AUD quiz online and for more information, contact us at (615) 891-2226 or visit our website to learn more about our programs.

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What Does Substance Abuse Help Look Like? A Closer Look at Treatment Options

When a loved one struggles with addiction, finding the right substance abuse help can feel overwhelming. In fact, more than 40 million Americans struggle with addiction according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Understanding the stages of treatment, from detoxification to therapy and aftercare, can make a difference in guiding someone toward lasting recovery. Understanding various treatment options and knowing how to support your loved one through each step of the journey is crucial. Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN can help with that understanding.

Recognizing the Need for Help

Addiction often leads to compulsive behavior that affects relationships, work, and overall well-being. If your loved one is exhibiting signs of substance abuse—such as secrecy, mood swings, or neglecting responsibilities—it may be time to seek professional support. Finding substance abuse help near me can be the first step in connecting them with treatment options that suit their needs.

The First Step: Detoxification

Before beginning therapy, individuals often need to go through detox to rid their bodies of harmful substances. While Integrative Life Center (ILC) does not provide medically supervised detox, we can help patients locate an appropriate facility for this crucial stage. Detoxification is necessary to stabilize physical health and prepare for further treatment.

Therapy Options: Addressing the Root Cause

Once detox is complete, therapy becomes the foundation of recovery. Various therapeutic approaches address both addiction and underlying issues like healing childhood trauma and co-occurring disorders.

• Individual Therapy: Personalized sessions with a therapist help uncover emotional triggers and develop coping strategies.
• Group Therapy: Sharing experiences with others facing similar struggles provides a sense of community and accountability.
• Family Therapy: Addiction affects the entire family, making family counseling essential for healing relationships and establishing a supportive home environment.

These therapies work together to provide comprehensive help for substance abuse, ensuring that individuals receive the emotional and psychological support they need.

Holistic Treatment: A Whole-Person Approach

Holistic treatment focuses on healing the mind, body, and spirit rather than just treating addiction symptoms. Methods such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and nutritional therapy can complement traditional treatment plans. This approach helps individuals build resilience and find healthy ways to manage stress without turning to substances.

Developing a Substance Abuse Treatment Plan

Well-structured substance abuse treatment plans include a combination of medical care, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Key elements include:

• Medical evaluation to determine the level of care needed
• Personalized therapy sessions tailored to individual struggles
• Skill-building workshops to help prevent relapse
• Support network development to encourage long-term sobriety

By following a structured plan, individuals can progress toward recovery with clear goals and professional guidance.

The Importance of Aftercare

Recovery doesn’t end when treatment concludes. Aftercare for substance abuse treatment plays a crucial role in preventing relapse and maintaining long-term sobriety. Some aftercare options include:

• Sober living homes: Providing a stable and drug-free environment
• Ongoing counseling: Continued therapy to address challenges in recovery
• Support groups: Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer peer support
• Relapse prevention plans: Strategies to identify and avoid triggers

Encouraging your loved one to participate in aftercare ensures they stay committed to their recovery journey.

How to Help Someone with Substance Abuse

If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, offering support in a non-judgmental way is essential. Here are a few ways to help:

• Educate yourself about addiction and treatment options.
• Encourage treatment by discussing available resources and offering to help research facilities.
• Set healthy boundaries to protect yourself and prevent enabling behaviors.
• Be patient and understand that recovery is a long-term process with ups and downs.

Seeking help with substance abuse isn’t just about finding treatment—it’s about creating a supportive environment where recovery is possible.

Finding the Right Drug Addiction Treatment

No single treatment works for everyone. It’s important to find a program that aligns with the individual’s needs, whether it’s inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient counseling, or a combination of both. A comprehensive addiction treatment guide can help navigate the options available, ensuring your loved one receives the care best suited to their situation.

Integrative Life Center: Compassionate, Comprehensive Care in Nashville, TN

For those seeking substance abuse help in Tennessee, Integrative Life Center (ILC) in Nashville offers a range of treatment options designed to address the complexities of addiction and mental health. ILC provides:

• Individualized treatment plans that focus on personal healing
• Holistic and evidence-based therapies for whole-person wellness
• Specialized programs for co-occurring disorders and trauma recovery
• Family involvement and support to rebuild relationships

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, ILC is here to provide expert care and guidance through every stage of recovery.

Finding Peace with ILC

Helping someone through addiction is challenging, but understanding what substance abuse help looks like can make a significant difference. From detox and therapy to holistic care and aftercare programs, each stage plays a vital role in achieving long-term recovery. By offering support, researching treatment options, and encouraging a structured recovery plan, you can help your loved one take the first steps toward a healthier future.

For more information about Integrative Life Center and the programs available, reach out today at 615-378-8806 to explore treatment options that fit your loved one’s needs.

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Solution for Social Anxiety

We have all had the experience of anxiety in some social situations: before a big presentation, for example, or on a first date. But when do these occasional experiences become a debilitating condition? When do periodic feelings of social anxiety become social anxiety disorder? And how can CBT treatment for social anxiety help the recovery process? Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN works to understand the needs of each patient. Our holistic approach and trauma informed treatment can help you find healing from social anxiety. 

What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Fear of being judged for the way you eat. Balking at using public restrooms. Avoiding any social situation where you might be asked to meet or have a conversation with someone you do not know well. These are just some of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder, a mental health condition that can be debilitating to sufferers. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, social anxiety disorder is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:

• Intense fear of interacting with strangers
• Fear of physical symptoms appearing, such as blushing or having a shaky voice
• Avoiding situations where you may be the center of attention
• Physical symptoms such as blushing, sweating, nausea, trembling, dizziness, or feeling that your mind has gone blank
• Avoiding eye contact, especially with strangers
• Fear of eating in front of others
• Anxiety about returning items to a store
• Speaking with an overly soft voice
• Rapid heart rate in social situations

In contemporary culture, a complicating factor for social anxiety is social media anxiety. This kind of social anxiety is triggered by online interactions, and can lead to debilitating feelings of inadequacy, stress, and fear. The technology meant to connect us to each other may end up intensifying feelings of isolation and despair as users interact and compare themselves with increasingly distant people.

What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

Researchers are not exactly certain why some individuals suffer from social anxiety disorder and others do not. They believe that family, environment, and stress may play a part. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also affect a person’s feelings about social interactions. What are different ways that PTSD can affect you mentally? One of the effects is avoidance: someone who has suffered a traumatic experience may avoid people, places, and activities that trigger memories of the trauma. They may self-isolate to prevent re-triggering a traumatic memory. This can cause or exacerbate social anxiety, leading to increasingly debilitating mental illness.

The good news for those suffering from social anxiety disorder–with or without PTSD–is that there is hope for healing. CBT treatment for social anxiety is a proven treatment that can lead to long-lasting recovery.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy that teaches you different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations so that you feel less anxious and more in control of your own thoughts and emotions. It focuses on solutions, encouraging patients to confront distorted thoughts about themselves and others, and to change unhealthy behavior patterns.

In the context of CBT treatment for social anxiety disorder, a therapist may guide you to changing specific behavior patterns, such as altering social media use or even deleting social media for mental health. Though this is not a sure-fire way to “cure” yourself from anxiety, it can–for some–be an important first (or even temporary) step towards healing.

CBT practitioners may also practice exposure therapy, helping you safely and progressively face the fears underlying your social anxiety. This may be practiced alongside different relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.

CBT exercises like these are learned techniques that do not have to stay in the therapist’s office–you can carry them with you as tools to help you face social anxiety when it strikes.

CBT treatment for social anxiety can also help you address traumatic experiences in your past that may have led to the social anxiety disorder itself. Such trauma informed CBT creates a safe and supportive therapeutic environment, one in which you can face the trauma that has hurt you and also practice strategies that will retrain your brain in its responses to that trauma. You will be empowered to deal with the traumatic experience that has caused you such pain.

Find Healing at ILC in Nashville, TN 

If you or a loved one think you may be struggling with social anxiety disorder and you are curious about CBT treatment for social anxiety, consider the Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN. 

Our anxiety treatment programs are holistic and research-based, and focused on individualized treatment sensitive to our patients’ needs. We offer a variety of therapeutic methodologies, including EMDR, brainspotting, equine therapy, and martial arts therapy. We offer family and community support, individual and group therapy, and tailored treatment solutions that help you navigate the mental, emotional, physical, and environmental aspects of anxiety. 

If you’re ready to begin your recovery journey, do not hesitate to reach out to us today at (615) 709-5694. 

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Does CBT Help Veterans? Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Our nation’s veterans sacrifice much during military service. Even when their time of active service is over, they face unique mental health challenges. From PTSD to anxiety and depression, the psychological effects of war can linger long after soldiers return home. According to the Wounded Warrior Project, in a recent survey 76 percent of veterans who responded reported having PTSD because of their military service. 

There is hope for our veterans, however. In recent years, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a powerful tool in addressing these challenges. But does CBT help veterans? Understanding how CBT works and its potential benefits can provide insight into why it is often considered an effective treatment for veterans struggling with mental health issues.

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, time-limited, and goal-oriented psychotherapy that aims to help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. The foundation of CBT lies in the concept that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected. By challenging unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, CBT helps individuals develop healthier ways of thinking and coping.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which may delve into past experiences, CBT is more focused on the present and the future. It equips individuals with practical tools and strategies to manage their thoughts and emotions, ultimately improving their mental well-being.

Trauma informed CBT adds a layer of trauma awareness to this therapeutic modality. Practitioners work to create a safe environment wherein patients can face their trauma and work to cultivate new, healthy responses to it. 

Common Mental Health Issues Among Veterans

Veterans are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders, especially after returning from deployment. Some of the most common conditions they face include:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): What are different ways that PTSD can affect you mentally? PTSD is one of the most well-known mental health issues among veterans. It often results from exposure to traumatic events during combat or military service. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.
2. Depression: Veterans may experience depression as a result of traumatic events or the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life. Depression can manifest in feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
3. Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety and panic attacks, can arise due to the stress and uncertainty veterans face during and after their service.
4. Substance Use Disorders: Some veterans turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with their mental health struggles. This can lead to addiction and further complications in their lives.
   

How CBT Helps Veterans

Does CBT help veterans? CBT has shown promise in helping veterans cope with the mental health challenges they face. Here’s how it addresses some of the most common issues:

Treating PTSD

One of the primary benefits of CBT for veterans is its effectiveness in treating PTSD. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) are two types of CBT that have been specifically adapted for PTSD treatment.

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): This form of CBT helps veterans reframe and challenge their distorted thoughts about the trauma they experienced. Veterans may feel guilt or shame about things they did or saw during deployment, and CPT helps them examine and adjust these negative beliefs, allowing them to come to terms with their experiences.
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): In PE, veterans are gradually exposed to memories or situations that trigger their PTSD symptoms in a controlled, therapeutic setting. This exposure helps them confront and desensitize themselves to traumatic memories, reducing their emotional response over time.

Managing Depression and Anxiety

CBT is also highly effective in treating depression and anxiety. Veterans often face significant life changes, from returning to civilian life to adjusting to a new routine. These transitions can bring about feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and fear.

CBT helps veterans break the cycle of negative thinking that contributes to depression and anxiety. By teaching them how to identify and challenge self-critical thoughts, CBT helps veterans develop a more realistic and balanced view of their experiences. For example, veterans who struggle with low self-esteem may be taught to replace thoughts like “I’m worthless” with more compassionate and rational beliefs like “I’ve faced many challenges, and I am still standing strong.”

Addressing Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders are prevalent among veterans, with many turning to alcohol or drugs to numb emotional pain or manage anxiety and depression. CBT can help by addressing the underlying thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to substance use.

Through CBT, veterans can explore the triggers that lead to substance use, identify harmful thought patterns (e.g., “I need alcohol to cope with stress”), and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms. CBT also helps veterans create action plans for staying sober, manage cravings, and develop better problem-solving skills in high-stress situations.

Building Social Support and Reintegration Skills

One of the biggest challenges veterans face when returning to civilian life is the sense of disconnection and isolation. CBT can help veterans navigate social interactions by teaching them social skills, communication strategies, and how to manage feelings of alienation.

CBT helps veterans reestablish their routines, pursue new career opportunities, and set meaningful personal goals. This sense of purpose and accomplishment is crucial for long-term recovery.

Hope and Healing for Veterans in Nashville, TN

If you or a loved one are a veteran and are wondering, does CBT help veterans, the answer to your question is yes. Consider taking the next step in your healing journey with the Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN. Our holistic, personalized programs will help you face past traumas for a healthy future.

To learn more about treatment options, reach out to the Integrative Life Center today at (615) 709-5694.

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How Childhood Trauma Affects Relationships in Adulthood

Can you imagine something happening to you decades ago still having an influence on your life today? When you experience trauma in childhood, its impact can be far-reaching, lasting well into your grownup years. If left unchecked, it can lead to major consequences such as addiction and mental health disorders. But its negative fallout can also be more subtle: it can hurt your relationships as an adult, too. Let’s take a look at how childhood trauma affects relationships in adulthood. 

Understanding ACEs and Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma occurs when you experience a dangerous, scary, or distressing event during years 0 to 18. The experience of childhood trauma could be associated with something that happens directly to you, or something you witness happen to another person. In the moment, you may feel helpless, upset, or terrified. Such traumatic events can occur from anywhere, but in childhood they’re commonly associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines adverse childhood experiences as traumatic events that occur in childhood during a set period of time. Or, alternatively, they can be aspects of your childhood environment that harm your sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Common ACEs that can lead to childhood trauma include:

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• Physical or emotional neglect
• Divorce
• Substance use in the home
• Living with someone who has a mental illness
• Having an incarcerated parent

 

When this ACEs trauma occurs, it can change your brain’s development in childhood and your body’s response to stress. As a result, adverse childhood experiences can have a lasting impact on your mental and physical health. But how does childhood trauma affect relationships when you’re an adult? 

How Childhood Trauma Affects Relationships: Attachment Styles

Your early childhood environment influences the attachment styles you learn to develop as you grow up. Your attachment style is how you perceive the world around you and how you relate to other people. So when you’re exposed to ACEs at an early age, the resulting connection between childhood trauma and relationships grows. That means the unhealthy (also called insecure) attachment styles you develop as a child due to trauma can often continue in your life as an adult, such as:

• Anxious-avoidant: Also known as fearful-avoidant attachment, anxious-avoidant attachment leads you to worry that your friends or partner are withdrawing from you, leading you to struggle to maintain close intimacy due to these concerns. 
• Dismissive-avoidant: This makes you emotionally unavailable with other people due to your negative views of others. As a result, you aspire to maintain self-sufficiency without letting anyone get too close. 
• Anxious-preoccupied: Anxious-preoccupied attachment leads you to struggle with poor self-esteem, causing you to need validation from others all the time. Yet you also fear others will abandon you, leading you to worry about the intentions of your partner or friends. 

How Childhood Trauma Affects Relationships: Trust Issues & Fear of Intimacy

Trust issues are one of the main byproducts of how childhood trauma affects relationships in adulthood. This is because the people you trusted in childhood, such as your parents or caregivers, may have been the cause of your ACEs trauma. As a result, you may learn not to trust others in general, which carries into your adult relationships. Even if there’s no reason to distrust someone, that can become your natural response. This causes you to be suspicious of those you’re in relationship with, which may drive you into isolation and keep others at a distance.

Alongside your trust issues, you may have a fear of intimacy as well. No matter if it’s emotional, experiential, or sexual intimacy, you fear having close relationships with others, letting your guard down, and being vulnerable. You may desire these types of relationships, but your fears keep you from forming these lasting connections. Often this is a defense mechanism to keep you from potential hurt or danger associated with your past trauma. Some signs you’re afraid of intimacy include: 

• Fearing commitment
• Serial dating
• Low self-esteem
• A history of relational instability 
• Perfectionist tendencies

Childhood Trauma and Adult Relationships: Communication & Control Challenges

As a child, you learn how to communicate based on what you see and experience in the home. But if you were exposed to childhood trauma in the home, your ability to communicate in a healthy way may be diminished. In fact, you may even repeat as an adult the harmful communication patterns you experienced as a child, such as yelling, constantly arguing, or being passive aggressive. At the same time, you may struggle to express how you feel to others, let alone talk about important subjects because you didn’t see this modeled well in childhood.

Experiencing ACEs as a child may have also made you feel out-of-control, or that you were incapable of being in control of the things around you. Consequently as an adult, you may feel the constant urge to be in control or in charge in a relationship, as well as attempt to control your partner. 

Heal from Childhood Trauma at Integrative Life Center

In many ways, unresolved childhood trauma may be driving your relationship struggles, as well as any addiction or mental health issues. If you’re unsure, take our free Childhood Trauma Test to find out if you’ve experienced ACEs in your past. 

Childhood trauma and relationships can be very much intertwined, but they don’t have to be. With the right help, you can heal your trauma and restore healthy relationships. At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, we take a trauma-informed care approach to healing past traumas, addiction, mental health disorders, and other struggles. Contact us today to learn more about what we treat. 

 

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Online Addiction Treatment vs. In-Person: Which is Better?

In the last few years, the virtual vs. in-person debate has been widespread. With working from home, the rise of restaurant takeout delivery services, and virtual social gatherings, the idea of doing things virtually instead of in person has affected all aspects of society. And that’s no different with therapy and addiction treatment. As you’re looking into therapy options, should you consider online addiction treatment or in-person addiction treatment? Is there that much of a difference between online vs. in-person therapy? Let’s explore. 

Online Addiction Treatment: The Pros

Trying to overcome addiction is a serious endeavor. Getting sober from alcohol or drugs isn’t a quick fix by any means. However, the prospect of doing addiction treatment online makes the process sound more manageable on the surface. In the context of online vs. in-person therapy, virtual addiction treatment allows you to get help without leaving home. This makes therapy convenient and accessible, since you’re not having to travel or even pursue out of state rehab. Because of this accessibility, sometimes the costs of online addiction treatment are cheaper than traditional treatment programs, too. 

Virtual addiction treatment also gives you a greater sense of privacy. For some, the stigmas of therapy can prevent them from ever getting the help they need, allowing their addiction to get worse. With an online therapy program, your interactions with people are more limited, which can help you remain more anonymous and keep fears of being “found out” at bay.

Online Addiction Treatment: The Cons

With that said, there are a number of cons that make online addiction treatment a challenge. The big detractor of virtual addiction treatment is simply the fact that you’re not going through treatment in person, face-to-face. This limits the amount of care you can actually receive, and when you’re trying to overcome addiction, having the best care available is incredibly important. 

When you’re doing online therapy, the lack of personal interaction hinders your ability to get the support you need at the moment. As we’ve discovered over the years, there’s still great value in face-to-face interactions, and addiction treatment is no exception. Receiving virtual treatment also hinders clinical supervision. Especially in the early days of addiction treatment, you need 24/7 care and accountability to fend off withdrawal symptoms, heal your trauma, and learn to cope without substances. Without in-person care and support, you’re more likely to quit your treatment before it gets off the ground.

Technical difficulties can also unfortunately get in the way in online addiction treatment. When there’s connectivity issues, buffering, and pixelated screens, it takes away from the therapy and treatment you’re receiving in each session. And because you’re participating in online treatment, there is always the possibility of cybersecurity concerns, no matter how secure your connection may be.

Online vs. In-Person Therapy: The Case for In-Person 

In-person therapy occurs face-to-face between the client and a licensed therapist at a treatment center or private office, shares Psychology.org. When you enroll in residential treatment, such as our residential treatment programs at Integrative Life Center, you’re at a neutral site away from the distractions and addiction triggers of home. Not only does this allow you to wholly focus on your recovery, you’re also in a safe, caring space that’s designed for your healing. 

A residential treatment center gives you the time and attention you need to fully address your addiction, including its underlying causes, such as past trauma from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Because overcoming addiction is about more than just discipline and behavior modification, you really need more intensive, hands-on treatment that online therapy can’t provide. But if you’re in a residential facility, your therapist can take a holistic treatment approach, utilizing both evidence-based and experiential therapies to help you achieve whole-person healing. 

Because of residential treatment’s impact, many people choose to set aside time out of their schedules and even travel to obtain the best in-person addiction treatment possible. And in-person also has another advantage that online addiction treatment does not: non-verbal communication. While you may be able to pick up on some cues through a screen (as long as your internet connection is good), the in-person setting allows your therapist to better understand your responses, needs, and goals throughout your recovery. 

Our View: In-Person Addiction Treatment is the Better Option

Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person? We don’t think so. When you’re struggling with addiction and wanting to achieve lasting healing, an in-person, residential treatment program is your best choice. Considering the quality treatment you can get with in-person therapy, many people are willing to sacrifice online convenience to get the utmost in care when it comes to their sobriety. 

If you’re exploring addiction treatment options, we can help at Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN. As a comprehensive treatment facility, we address substance use disorders, intimacy disorders, mental health disorders, eating disorders, and co-occurring disorders. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact our team today. 

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