What Parents Need To Know About Substance Use and Trauma; What It Is And Isn’t, And Why We Can’t Ignore It, With Steve Sawyer

ABOUT THE EPISODE:
Just hearing the word "trauma" can cause a parent's stomach to turn in knots and create feelings of guilt and regret. We believe we should be able to spare our kids from trauma and might push this aspect aside when seeking solutions or resources.

Steve Sawyer is an expert in trauma and adolescents and joined me for a deeply educational and enlightening conversation around trauma, and why as parents, we need to understand it better.

Steve helps by answering questions like, "if my kids were all raised in the same environment, why is only one using drugs?" Or, "if my child has experienced trauma, won't sending them to wilderness therapy or treatment cause even more damage?" Or, "My child has had a wonderful, trauma-free life, I don't think trauma is an issue." 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• what trauma is, and isn't
• one of the most commonly missed causes of trauma in young people
• why adolescents often turn to substances in the wake of untreated trauma
• how trauma impacts a young person's brain  differently than an adult
• the 6 types of nervous system dysregulation
• why trauma-informed doesn't mean trauma-responsive
• how trauma-informed care is changing in the field of wilderness therapy
• new, more trauma-sensitive models for transporting kids to wilderness
• the role of powerlessness and aloneness in young people
• caregiver responsiveness and the impact it has relative to trauma
• the difference between developmental trauma and PTSD
• a simple project parents can do to assess the need for out of home therapy and transport

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Video: New Visions Wilderness Hosts Dr. Gabor Mate
• New Visions Wilderness - monthly conversation with Steve on Facebook
• Book: The Body Keeps The Score (van der Kolk)
• Instagram: @traumatransformations
• Book: The Myth of Normal, Gabor Mate
• Book: The Body Says No, The Cost of Hidden Stress, Gabor Mate
• Brainspotting.com
• Podcast: Trauma and Wilderness Therapy, Stories From The Field
• Book: Transforming Stress For Teens, The HeartMath Solution for Staying Cool Under Pressure
• Training: HeartMath for individuals

This podcast is part of a nonprofit called Hopestream Community
Learn about The Stream, our private online community for moms
Find us on Instagram here
Watch the podcast on YouTube here
Download a free e-book, Worried Sick: A Compassionate Guide For Parents When Your Teen or Young Adult Child Misuses Drugs and Alcohol

Hopestream Community is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an Amazon Associate. We may make a small commission if you purchase from our links.