Episode 18: Understanding the Link Between Trauma, the Nervous System, and Addiction with Clinical Therapist, Brian Leidal

PREVIEW: Clinical Therapist Brian Leidal walks us through his understanding, research, and expertise on the topic of trauma and addiction, and the link between. The foundation to any conversation or therapeutic work on trauma begins with a grounded nervous system and healthy connection: to others and to self. According to Dr. Dan Siegel, trauma is some thing or event that overwhelms our ability to cope. Our ability to cope is dependent on life experiences, outside events, family, our practices. This is where substance use and other behavioral addictions come in—without the ability to cope effectively, these become short-term releases that can become destructive in the long run. The foundation to any conversation or therapeutic work on trauma begins with a grounded nervous system and healthy connection: to others and to self. Brian gives examples from his own clinical approach at Open Sky Wilderness Therapy of how to dig beneath the surface of substance abuse and addiction. RESOURCES: Brian’s blog: Exploring the Link Between Trauma and Addiction CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Justin Sunseri’s Polyvagal Podcast Johann Hari’s Ted Talk: Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is WrongSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.