Research reveals that a vast majority of those with addictive disorders have experienced serious trauma. Potentially traumatic events can include anything from abuse or other violence to the death of a loved one, divorce, medical diagnosis or an unhealthy relationship.

People often develop substance abuse problems in an attempt to alleviate distress associated with the effects of the traumatic stress symptoms. By turning to alcohol and other drugs, they feel that can better manage the intense flood of associated emotions and reminders, increase pleasurable sensations, and/or numb themselves of any intense emotions.

According to Michael Swartout, IBH Education Coordinator, the word trauma means “wound” and its effect is a natural state of being in pain. Many people don’t even know why. They just feel restless, irritable and discontented, and are more often plagued with deep feelings of worthlessness, fear, anxiety, depression, shame, guilt and confusion. This condition sets people up neurobiologically for addiction. “When people who are miserable ingest drugs or alcohol for the first time, it’s not just a drug but a spiritual experience,” says Swartout. “For the first time in their lives, they feel normal and connected. The drug becomes a coping mechanism – the only escape mechanism they know.”

While trauma increases the risk of developing a substance abuse disorder, a substance abuse disorder also increases the likelihood that one will experience trauma. It’s often the result of substance abusers partaking in risky behaviors, including harming themselves or witnessing harm to others. To make matters worse, the negative effects and consequences of one disorder often compound the problems of the other.

Regardless of the pathway leading to the onset of trauma and substance abuse issues, people with this co-occurrence experience require a flexible treatment approach that can accommodate the multiple ways in which trauma and substance abuse may be related. “The connection between the two is undeniable,” says IBH Assistant Clinical Director Meredith Myers, LPCC-S, CDCA. “Some people who enter our doors are ready to address their trauma issues. Others are more fearful to ‘go there’ or ‘feel it,’ especially when they are substance free.”

To this end, IBH strives to create a safe and supportive environment where people can remain off drugs and alcohol long enough to understand that continued use will only bring more of the same negative results. Focusing on treating the whole person, IBH offers an individualized integrative approach that includes daily counseling, sober housing, employment, training, spiritual care and educational classes – one of which has a module dedicated to trauma itself. Once IBH clients begin to learn and trust the process, they’re more likely to venture into the deeper issues – the ones that triggered the painful feelings that they are trying to numb with their substance use.

“It is quite beautiful to see a person who has been laboring with these terrible feelings of worthlessness for many years finally understand that they are a worthwhile person,” shares Swartout. “Someone who can heal, continue to grow and really contribute to the community.”

Making the ConnectionThe Impact of Trauma on Addiction

Reflections Winter 2019

What Recovery Looks Like PG. 2

Why Abstinence Is Only The Beginning PG. 3

Children who experience 4+ traumatic events are up to 46x more likely to become injection drug-users.Source: Data from 17,000 patients in Kaiser Permanente’s Adverse Childhood Experiences study

You know you’ve hit rock bottom when even your drug dealers are telling you to get help. That was the case for Jenny Keaton, a teenage high school dropout who got clean at the age of 20. “When I was using, all I thought about were drugs. I was constantly obsessing/compulsing over them,” she explains. “No one wanted to be around me. Even I hated who I had become.”

But finding help wasn’t easy. At least not the right help. Keaton bounced around various outpatient self-help groups that focused on everything from positive thinking to emotional stability. “These types of groups are great, but I just wasn’t ready for them yet,” says Keaton. “I needed to get to the root of my problem, which was my addiction.”

One day, a public bus sign for a local hope-line caught her eye. That hope-line led Keaton to a 12-step fellowship program for addiction recovery. While the program’s road map for change was vital for Keaton’s rehabilitation, it was the group’s sense of belonging and purpose

that really resonated with her spirit. “I began meeting people that I could identify with,” says Keaton. “As I listened to their stories, my fog began to lift. The urge was replaced with hope.”

Today, Keaton leads what she describes as a “colorful” life. After a few months of being clean, she earned her high school diploma and went on to graduate from The University of Akron with a degree in social work. She’s now a full-time educator and works within IBH’s residential treatment program. She’s also a yoga instructor with a class specifically designed for those in recovery, and teaches meditation at her old high school. Yes, the same one that she dropped out of not-so-many years ago.

“It humbles me to meet young women as they enter treatment. I remember the pain, the loneliness,” says Keaton. “Nothing is more rewarding than watching them finally smile or to see their spirits shine for probably the first time in years.”

Of course, Keaton’s work achieves

more than just helping others. It helps Keaton, too. “If I’m just doing the bare minimum, which is just going to meetings — it’s like liability insurance. I need full coverage against using. I have to fully commit to a new way of life in order to stay clean. I have to give it away in order to keep the gift I have.”

RECOVERY HAPPENS EVERY DAY. Learn more about IBH Addiction Recovery Center’s programs and services by visiting ibh.org.

REFLECTIONS Winter 2019 Page 2

“I BEGAN TO MEET PEOPLE I COULD IDENTIFY WITH. (HEARING) THEIR STORIES, MY FOG BEGAN TO LIFT. THE URGE WAS REPLACED WITH HOPE.”

Giving Back Helps Me Move Forward

What Recovery Looks Like

Join The Conversation Follow IBH Addiction Recovery Center on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date news and events.

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“Just stop drinking and all your problems will go away,” or so one former addict thought. She soon realized, though, that just putting down the drink wasn’t enough. Without the right coping and decision-making tools, she was even more out of sorts and dissatisfied. And the only solution she knew was to hit the bottle again.

Abstinence is a term used to describe the process of avoiding, or not engaging in, certain potentially addictive substances or behaviors. A rigid, all-or-nothing approach, it can be defined as being physically free from mind-altering substances. However, abstinence doesn’t address the emotional, mental and spiritual issues that typically accompany addictive behaviors. Without other resources, experiences or abilities to handle life’s problems and stresses, people with substance use disorders soon realize that their greatest coping mechanism — their addiction — has disappeared. Without a substance to find comfort in, they often resort to other unhealthy, negative habits and patterns to find relief from the realities of life.

A substance use disorder is a multi-component disease that can involve virtually every aspect of an individual’s functioning. Therefore, successful treatment typically doesn’t focus solely on the individual’s physical substance use, but also on restoring the addicted individual to a productive member of society. That’s why sobriety is a progressive, developmental process that includes abstinence. However, it is much more than making sure that an addict never uses a substance again.

Becoming sober is about finding motivation, accepting life and moving forward so that he or she no longer needs a substance, any substance, to be happy. It involves pro-actively replacing an old life of dependence, destruction and being unfulfilled with one of emotional, physical and spiritual health. “Sobriety has provided a level of peace and serenity that I have never experienced before.” Sobriety isn’t fast and easy, but it is possible.

“I wanted to get sober, but was determined to do it my way. I didn’t want — or thought I needed — to listen to others,” this recovering addict explained. “I went through the physical detox five or six times, but the mental obsession always caused me to relapse. Finally, I realized my way wasn’t working.”

After seeing others in treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) who seemed genuinely happy, she felt there might be hope for her outside of addiction. She knew she couldn’t do it alone. She had to accept help in healing her “whole” self — not just physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually, too. “Through sobriety, I had to learn new ways to deal with life. I had to identify deeply rooted issues, let people in to help and totally trust in a higher power. That’s hard for us addicts, we want life on our terms.”

The professionals at IBH Addiction Recovery Center understand. Individualized abstinence-based and holistic processes are used that include clinical and educational treatment, spiritual care, sober housing, employment, training

Why Abstinence Is Only The BeginningAnd How Is It Different From Sobriety

“SOBRIETY HAS PROVIDED A LEVEL OF PEACE AND SERENITY I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.”

RESTORE HOPE AND GAIN SKILLS FOR A LIFETIME OF SOBRIETY. Learn more by contacting IBH Addiction Recovery Center at 330.644.4095 or visit ibh.org.

and transportation to help people manage life appropriately without the use of alcohol or drugs. By providing the knowledge, values and skills necessary, people with substance abuse disorders are helped to develop and maintain a life of sobriety.

“Being abstinent just meant that I put my drink down. But I was still miserable. Recovery through sobriety has helped me be okay about living without it. Actually, more than okay. I now live a good happy, healthy and productive life. All without alcohol.”

3445 S. Main Street Akron, Ohio 44319

Paul Adamson, Chair Tammy Bratton, First Vice ChairHeidi Mocas, SecretaryMark Trew, TreasurerJoe BreidingGlenda Buchanan Perry ClarkJill Coleman Judge Katarina Cook David Crosby William (Bill) Evans IIDanette FischerTim HagenbaughKatina Karoulis James KuhnMichael McGlinchyDavid NoggleMagistrate Cheryl WearBrenda Welch Barb WhiddonLinda Wilkins

Donald P. Finn, Interim Executive Director

Board Of Trustees

Know TellJoin Us In Welcoming Back Donald P. FinnWe are pleased to announce that Donald P. Finn has returned to IBH Addiction Recovery Center to serve as Executive Director on an interim basis. Finn served in the same position from 2011 through 2016. Before his time at IBH Addiction Recovery Center, Finn was Executive Director at CYO & Community Services in Akron, Ohio for nearly twenty years, and Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio from 1990-1993. Finn began his professional career at Family and Community Services of Catholic Charities in Kent, Ohio where he served as Executive Director for thirteen years.

“During my education as a seminarian with the Congregation of the Mission and during my graduate education I had diverse service experiences which greatly broadened my perspective on the role of the Church, public policy and community service,” said Finn.

Please join us in welcoming Finn back to IBH Addiction Recovery Center.

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IBH GOLF OUTING

33rd AnnualGolf OutingJoin us for the 33rd Annual IBH Golf Outing on Monday, June 10, 2019 at Silver Lake Country Club. The all-inclusive golf package includes lunch,

hors d’oeuvres, reception, skins, mulligans, and skill prizes (long drive, long putt, pin shots, hole-in-one contest). For more information and to register on-line, go to: ibh.org/calling-all-golfers

Save The DateComing Together Family PicnicAugust 17, 2019 at Tudor House

IBH Addiction Recovery Center’s 50th Anniversary CelebrationApril 30, 2020 at John S. Knight Center