Call us at 
The side effects of experiencing any type of trauma can lead to some of the most debilitating mental disorders. In fact, trauma and its counterparts post-traumatic stress disorder and operational stress injury can be triggered by a variety of sources and can create severe mental, emotional stress and physical injury.
Individuals who serve in the military or members of law enforcement are particularly susceptible to experiencing trauma. Unfortunately, like many family members of those who struggle with substance abuse, some people may not fully understand their need for help to achieve positive mental, physical, and emotional health.
It’s common for people who suffer from these types of trauma to also suffer from concurrent disorders such as depression, chronic pain or severe anxiety and may have difficulty managing their behaviour.
Traumatic experiences increase the level of endorphins in the brain as an innate mechanism to help numb emotional and physical pain. Many individuals turn to substances to help lessen the impacts of withdrawal from the increased endorphins and also to relieve symptoms of anxiety, irritability and depression as a means of self-medicating.
Many individuals who suffer from these disorders put off receiving help for too long. Often it’s simply the fear of the stigma surrounding mental illness, especially for individuals in professional service roles, which prevents seeking treatment. At Cedars at Cobble Hill, we aim to remove the stigma attached to mental illness and addiction, break down the barriers for those seeking help and help lay the framework for recovery.
Trauma
Trauma is complex and broad, stemming from various sources, including combat, loss, separation or other traumatic experiences. Untreated, trauma can result in mental and physical symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, disconnection, exhaustion and stress. One of the foremost symptoms of trauma is a sense of disconnection with self, loved ones, and even the surrounding environment. With that in mind, our comprehensive individualized treatment has been founded with the ultimate goal for participants to address this disconnection that surrounds the trauma experience and re-establish the harmony between feelings, values and actions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is triggered by trauma or a negative experience. PTSD can occur due to any physical and psychological trauma causing symptoms like trouble sleeping, detachment, nightmares or flashbacks, anxiety or aggression. These individuals often avoid connections with others to control their feelings or surroundings. By using integrated care and well-established support systems, Cedars can help these individuals reconnect – ultimately developing the tools to re-establish a genuine connection with the body, self and others.
Operational Stress Injury
An Operational Stress Injury (OSI) is a disorder resulting from operational duties performed while serving in a military or law enforcement type role. It’s a larger indicator of an entire range of disorders – like trauma, physical injury, grief or anxiety – that often lead to a receding ability to cope. At Cedars, we help those who suffer from OSI understand the impacts severe stress can have on all aspects of daily living and help those individuals improve the quality of their life through full recovery.
Recovery from Trauma, PTSD and OSI
Recovery from any trauma disorder takes time. The memory of a tragic event often never completely goes away. These memories can be held in an individual’s mind and within their body. At Cedars, our individualized treatment programs provide the skills to feel better equipped to deal with the day-to-day challenges of life, armed with practical strategies and an action plan to reduce the negative impact of those memories in the future.
Cedars’ inpatient treatment program is built on the foundation of a multi-pronged approach to recovery. Dual diagnosis treatment means mental health professionals and addiction specialists will help address both substance abuse and the psychological problems brought on by these disorders. An extensive support network of medical professionals, family and peers will be established, helping individuals overcome the struggles associated with trauma and find a renewed passion for living through holistic healing.