Reclaiming Your Life: A Survivor’s Journey from Trauma to Triumph: by Casey Stone

It’s not easy to stay clean and sober after struggling with addiction. Achieving seven months of sobriety is an important milestone for anyone, but even more so for those dealing with addiction. Alongside the challenges of the addiction itself, those with co-occurring mental health issues such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) must also address the root causes of their trauma to achieve long-term recovery.

The trauma that can lead to addiction is often deeply rooted in an individual’s personal history. Finding healthy ways to confront and manage these traumatic experiences can be the first step to recovery from addiction. It is important for those struggling with PTSD and addiction to build resilience and develop skills to help them cope with difficult emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help individuals understand and gain insight into their emotional reactions to traumatic memories. With the support of a therapist, CBT can help them recognize unhelpful patterns of thinking and develop healthier coping strategies.

Experiencing flashbacks and physical reactions to trauma can be difficult to manage without treatment. Having a safe place to talk and the guidance of a mental health professional can be invaluable in helping individuals recognize and process their emotions, as well as develop coping skills. Through this process, individuals can begin to improve their overall mental health and gain the strength and stability needed to maintain sobriety.

Reaching the milestone of seven months of sobriety is a major accomplishment for anyone dealing with addiction. It is also an opportunity to review and reassess progress and to reflect on the journey so far. It is important to recognize this accomplishment and to celebrate successes, no matter how small. Along with professional support, this affirmation can help individuals stay motivated as they continue to work toward lasting recovery from addiction and co-occurring disorder such as PTSD.
Part 2

The experience of being abused, abandoned, homeless, suicidal, and dealing with addiction and being a male who has been sexually assaulted can have a profound and life-changing effect on a person. For those of us that have been through it, we know how difficult it can be to come out the other end in one piece. But it is possible to overcome these challenges and create a new life for ourselves.

Take for example a person I know, who was adopted at the age of 18 months and was exposed to an unknown amount of abuse in their young life. They lived on the streets for years , and were intensely suicidal. This person fought a long battle with addiction, and after years of struggling they were able to find help, and were eventually able to find a way to break free from their addictions.

The person had also been sexually assaulted and had to learn how to trust again, and also how to feel love and to be happy. It was a long and difficult journey, but with help from friends, family, and professionals, this person was able to rediscover their strength and find hope in life once again.

Today, this person is 7 months clean, and is actively helping others through their own recovery journey. The individual is using their experience of overcoming immense challenges to help others. They have been able to create a new life for themselves, and inspire others to search for strength in their own lives.

No matter how difficult it may seem, it is possible to overcome these challenges and to create a better life for yourself. It may take time and may require help from others, but it is possible to find hope and healing.