Trauma and addiction with co-occurring mental health issues

I was blessed to have an allergy to alcohol in the mid 1980s, but the trauma of my past created addictions to other things. Someone told me about adverse childhood experiences and how the mental health community recognizes the positive responses with peer supporters. So in 2021 I took training in peer coaching for substance use disorders and the co-occurring mental disorders that some people with addiction are facing. My work was with the unhoused population where I lived in Colorado. During the first three years of my nonprofit, I focused on their material needs. Sometimes, religion and faith were discussed, but when training led me to ask, "What happened to you?", the discussions opened up for people and I felt the real pain that my clients were feeling which caused them to use illegal substances and opioids. As with colleagues in the homelessness provider field, they noticed a change in the way my clients were behaving. They realized the missing link in addressing homelessness was the root of the problem: trauma.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Systems Administration) is a wealth of data that proves recovery is possible, and the providers of homelessness have increased successes when someone with "lived" experience is supporting them: a Peer. Mental Health Clinics have employed peer supporters as a result.
When I was married to my first husband in the 1960s, I suffered serious clinical depression and suicidal ideation & attempts. 9 shock treatments and every drug ending in "-ol" was used to keep me from being suicidal. During that period in time, doctors prescribed medication that a patient had no right of refusal. Thank goodness for policies that gives the patient the right to "choose".
The clients I worked with when I asked, "do you have any mental health concerns?"--they'd say no. Then I asked, if they ever felt sad, unhappy, angry, bitter, depressed. They realize that they indeed have some form of mental health or behavioral health issues.
So, I want to know if you're aware there are 8 dimensions of wellness? Each of us are impacted by the following:
environment, intellectual, spiritual, financial, emotional, physical, social and occupational.
If we are weak spiritually, the other dimensions of our wellness are impacted just as physical (health) and occupational (loss of a job) can affect how we handle the day.
Being aware of those dimensions can guide us toward recovery which becomes a journey because we deal with life's changes almost moment to moment.
When I relapsed with a mental health emergency a few months ago, shortly after my husband of 44 years passed away (December 2025), I was feeling embarrassed and ashamed. But, friends called the police for a wellness check and I agreed I needed acute treatment for a few days. I recovered quickly from feeling totally like giving up because of the tools the therapists reminded me I had already learned. That's peer support when someone with similar experiences shares how they felt feelings resembling ourselves. But, recovery is not a one-size fits all. It is a personal journey, except a peer trained in trauma-informed care can be that positive voice that is honest, transparent, consistent and compassionately available to you with boundaries mutually respected.
I was binging on movies after my husband died. After the nonprofit for the homeless lost funding, I grieved not being there for the people my staff and partners were assisting. Then, taking care of my husband as his heart condition worsened became the object of my attention. We both loved working with people who accepted our help and our care. He felt the loss and visibly grieved not being there for them. Moreso, he grieved not being in a condition to help me. I'm a small frame woman and he was 6ft-1inch. He did the heavy work, escorted me around town so I can work on my iPad on the way to my office. One month before he passed, our 12 year old Mini Schnauzer Dolly got violently ill and we had to put her out of her misery. My colleagues and friends surrounded me like a blanket, so it felt--but, I'm one that does not ask for help. They've taught me to be the opposite. Yet, my nature has been to do it all myself. So, they laugh and stand alongside like true friends usually do.
Mental health challenges (depression, anxiety, helplessness, rage, anger, etc.) are real to whatever degree a person happens to feel due to something that triggers, or from a tragedy. Trauma can be from witnessing a shooting. I was traumatized when I realized my car was rolling into the vehicle in front of me at the stop light when I was distracted by my puppy. Her seat belt got tangled up and I tried to free her. I slammed on my brakes, bumped into the back of his SUV, waved him to pull over when we turned left and got out to apologize. Thank goodness that he has a metal bar on his bumper for loads. My temporary registration paper plate was dented so no damage. He was so kind and concerned about me. For days I felt like I almost went off a cliff; I was overly cautious for more than a week.
Congratulations to those of you who are in recovery. I love hearing how lives change when someone has chosen sobriety or treatment and pathways toward recovery! -- Donna Mae