Sierra Health + Wellness Sponsors Trauma Recovery and Wellness Conference

First responders are first on the scene of disasters and emergency situations. The general public sees first responders as a kind of Super Hero.

And they are: but even super heroes need support to continue their mission.

Firefighters, police, EMS and other emergency services providers are seldom called on to rescue cute kittens from trees.

In most cases, first responders see accident victims horribly injured or burned, rescue survivors crushed in crumbling buildings, and pull residents from burning buildings. Or they are called on to defuse potentially dangerous situations ranging from domestic disputes to a hostage crisis to battling deadly wildfires.

The physical demands required for first responders can be enormous. Being a first responder in emergencies also impacts the mental well-being of emergency personnel.

High stress and high-risk personal safety situations can cause first responder trauma.

Firefighters, police, EMS and other providers face the risk of many behavioral health concerns; including anxiety, depression, burnout, PTSD and addiction. Taking care of mental health is as important as managing physical health.

Firefighters, police, EMS personnel and other first responders experience high-stress (and high risk) situations daily. The stress involved does not disappear when the responders go home at night.

High-stress professional working conditions can contribute to mental health problems and substance abuse. These working conditions include:

• chronic stress
• physical strain
• working long hours
• lack of sleep.

Studies suggest that sleep disturbances with at least 2 weeks of insomnia or hypersomnia (or both) reported – are risk factors for the later development of PTSD – as well as depression, anxiety disorders, or substance abuse and addiction.

When first responders receive treatment soon after health impacts from a traumatic event are noticed – months of suffering can be avoided.

PTSD starts with trauma. Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety. However, any situation that creates a feeling of being overwhelmed and isolated can result in trauma; trauma does not need to involve physical harm. The more frightened and helpless feelings that are generated – the more likely trauma will occur.

We all react to trauma in different ways – there is a wide range of physical and emotional reactions to trauma. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to think, feel, or respond. Do not judge your own reactions or those of other people.

Your responses are NORMAL reactions to ABNORMAL events.

Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event. But sometimes symptoms may not appear until years after the event. These symptoms can cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships. PTSD symptoms can interfere with the ability to go about normal daily tasks.

Symptoms can vary over time. And, PTSD symptoms also vary from person to person.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sometimes known as shell shock or combat stress in veterans and first responders, occurs after experiencing severe trauma or a life-threatening event.

It’s normal for the mind and body to be in shock after experiencing a trauma. But this normal response becomes PTSD when your nervous system gets “stuck.”

Your nervous system has two automatic or reflexive ways of responding to stressful events:

Mobilization, or fight-or-flight, occurs when you need to defend yourself or survive the danger of a combat situation. Your heart pounds faster, your blood pressure rises, and your muscles tighten, increasing your strength and reaction speed. Once the danger has passed, your nervous system calms your body, lowering your heart rate and blood pressure, and winding back down to its normal balance.

Immobilization occurs when you’ve experienced too much stress in a situation and even though the danger has passed, you find yourself “stuck.” Your nervous system is unable to return to its normal state of balance and you’re unable to move on from the event. This is PTSD.

Recovering from PTSD involves transitioning out of the mental and emotional war zone you’re still living in and helping your nervous system become “unstuck.”

Early and effective trauma treatment is essential to prevent PTSD from developing or getting worse.

But even if PTSD is well-developed or has existed for years – trauma and PTSD treatment is effective in reducing symptoms.

Mindfulness is an effective tool for trauma survivors – and anyone – seeking to live a more stress-free life. Research has uncovered the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms by which mindfulness exerts its effects on addiction recovery.

With trauma and PTSD treatment – life can be enjoyable again.

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.

At Aspen Intervention Wellness Center, wellness and understanding trauma are key elements in guiding clients to sustainable addiction recovery.

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.

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 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.

Individuals who have experienced repeated, chronic, multiple traumas (or multiple childhood traumas, ACES) are more likely to exhibit readily identifiable trauma symptoms and consequences.

Recovery from trauma and substance abuse can be an important ‘search for meaning‘.

Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, based on his own experience and the experiences of others he treated later in his practice, argued that we cannot avoid suffering.

However, we can choose how to cope with trauma or tragedy: we can find meaning in it – and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl’s theory is known as logotherapy, (from the Greek word ‘logos’: meaning).

Frankl believed that our primary drive in life is not pleasure (as Freud maintained) – but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.

If you or your family are experiencing the effects of addiction – it is time to take the necessary steps to get help.

Aspen Intervention Wellness Center can help you with alcoholism and drug rehab in most areas of the U.S.

For Professional Interventions in NorCal – contact us.

If PTSD or any form of mental illness is also involved (depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and more) – it is critical to make certain the recovery center you choose has Dual Diagnosis integrated treatment.

Dual Diagnosis is also known as ‘co-occurring disorders’ in substance use disorders (SUD) treatment.