David Burke LAADC-CA / ICADC (Founder and Director of Aspen Intervention Wellness Center) – and Prairie Francia RADC (Director of Operations at Aspen Intervention Wellness Center) attended the Aloha Summit, July 18 – 20, 2024 in Maui, Hawaii.
Prairie Francia RADC presented the Morning Mindfulness Guided Meditation and Yoga sessions at the Aloha Summit.
The Aloha Summit provided 12 APA and NBCC CEU’s for Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors and MFTS.
The Aloha Summit continuing education sessions included:
- Somatic Experiencing with Clients Experiencing Addiction and Trauma
- Mindful Life, Mindful Work: Incorporating Mindfulness Into Your Practice
- Ethical Considerations in the Treatment of Betrayal
- Betrayal and Trauma: Impacts on Brain and Body
- The Benefits of Laughter
- Morning Mindfulness Guided Meditation and Yoga
Presented by Prairie Francia RADC (Director of Operations at Aspen Intervention Wellness Center)
From the Aloha Summit on the MAUI FIRES
We are deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life to those impacted by the Maui fires and we took deep consideration about the location this year. After consulting with locals we felt this was the place for Aloha Summits 2024.
We will be honoring those who lost their lives and those struggling with the aftermath with a ceremonial ritual.
Aspen Intervention Wellness Center Treats Trauma
Research has illuminated a significant connection between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD), underscoring the intricate relationship between these conditions
At Aspen Intervention Wellness Center, addiction wellness and understanding trauma are key elements in guiding our clients to sustainable addiction recovery.
We are very aware that many individuals seeking treatment for addiction have a history of trauma. But often, trauma survivors do not recognize or understand the significant effects of trauma in their lives.
Many individuals will experience trauma during their lifetimes. Although some who are exposed to trauma demonstrate few or no lingering effects or symptoms – other individuals experience significant effects. Those who have experienced repeated, chronic, multiple trauma (or multiple childhood traumas, ACE) are more likely to exhibit readily identifiable trauma symptoms and consequences.
The after-effects of trauma can include substance abuse, mental illness, and health problems. Trauma can affect how an individual engages in life and creates various unpleasant symptoms. Many trauma survivors turn to alcohol or drugs for symptom relief. This increases the chances of developing substance dependence and addiction.
Fight, Flight, or Freeze – Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activation
An acute stress response causes the body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) to activate. This is the part of the nervous system that controls rapid, unconscious responses, such as reflexes…The ANS can send messages that tell the body to prepare for danger in different ways.
Many trauma survivors are so accustomed to their ‘normal state’ of hypervigilance that they cannot recognize when Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is activated. For many, this has become a normal way of functioning.
However, constant hypervigilance is very hard on the body and will eventually lead to health issues. And, unpleasant physical and emotional side effects are present when the ANS is constantly activated.
One critical function of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is to prepare the body for action through the “fight or flight” response. These changes prepare the body to respond appropriately to a perceived threat. When threats in the environment are sensed, the sympathetic neurons of the ANS react by:
- increasing heart rate
- widening the airways to make breathing easier
- releasing stored energy
- increasing strength in the muscles
- slowing digestion and other bodily processes that are less important for taking action
How to Calm Down the Parasympathetic Nervous System
To calm down the Parasympathetic Nervous System, practices like deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation can be effective in restoring balance.
Other ways to activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System include engaging in activities that promote a sense of safety and connection; such as spending time in nature, practicing gratitude, and engaging in positive social interactions.
Self-Care and PTSD
Many individuals regularly take shallow breaths without even realizing it. Shallow breathing is part of the body’s natural fight, flight, or freeze response, which is often overactive in people living with PTSD. Consciously taking deep breaths from the diaphragm helps to disengage an overactive trauma response.
Self-care techniques for reducing symptoms of PTSD include grounding techniques. A gentle focus on sensory activities can be helpful. This includes holding onto a comforting object or focusing on the five senses, sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Also, establishing a routine that includes regular exercise and adequate sleep contributes to overall well-being and recovery.
