Trauma and pain and addiction are tightly woven together. But, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is treatable and treating the wounds of trauma can help treat pain and addiction, too. We must pay attention to the toxic effects of trauma if we really want to help people stay away from drugs, if we want to really help people with chronic pain. 

In this episode, we hear personal stories from three women that show just how tightly woven together trauma, pain and addiction are. Also, we hear their stories of post-traumatic growth, and their strategies for moving beyond the pain of the past to fully embrace the present.

Links to resources for help with PTSD or sexual assault:

The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673)

Find a clinician who can help with PTSD

The VA has a tool to help choose what kind of treatment you want for PTSD

The VA’s PTSD coach website 

The VA has a lot of apps to help people getting treatment for PTSD