September is Recovery and Suicide Prevention Month

September: A Time for Recovery and Suicide Prevention

As September comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month—two areas deeply connected by the impact of trauma. At Inner-Evolution, we believe in addressing the roots of these struggles, and one of the key voices in this conversation is Dr. Gabor Maté, whose work emphasizes the role of trauma in both addiction and mental health challenges.

The Role of Trauma in Substance Use

According to Dr. Gabor Maté, addiction is often a response to deep-seated emotional pain and trauma. He explains that people are not addicted to substances themselves but to the relief or escape they provide from unresolved stress and trauma. This concept is essential to understanding why simply “quitting” a substance isn’t always the answer—it’s about addressing the underlying pain.

Signs that trauma may be fueling substance use:

• Loved ones expressing concern: If friends or family have mentioned that they’re worried about your substance use, it may indicate that your coping strategies are affecting your relationships.
• Using substances to avoid emotional pain: If you’re drinking or using drugs to escape feelings like sadness, anxiety, or guilt, it’s likely that substance use has become a form of self-medication.
• Difficulty stopping: Struggling to control or reduce your substance use is often a sign that it’s tied to deeper emotional wounds.

For further reading on trauma and addiction, you can explore Gabor Maté’s work in “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts”, where he dives into the emotional and psychological roots of addiction, and how trauma often sets the stage for substance use disorders. You can also watch his talks on trauma and healing, such as “The Power of Addiction and The Addiction of Power” on YouTube.

Shifting Toward Healing and Recovery

In Dr. Maté’s view, healing from addiction begins with compassion—both for ourselves and the experiences that led to our struggles. Acknowledging the trauma that may have fueled substance use allows for deeper healing. Whether through harm reduction strategies or therapy, recovery doesn’t need to be rushed but can evolve over time.

Suicide Prevention: Recognizing the Signs and Offering Support

In addition to recovery, Suicide Prevention Month emphasizes the need to stay aware of the signs of emotional distress, both in ourselves and others. Like addiction, suicide risk is often linked to trauma, isolation, and emotional pain. Dr. Maté’s insights remind us that those struggling with thoughts of suicide are often carrying immense emotional burdens, and offering compassionate support can be lifesaving.

Some signs to watch for include:

• Withdrawal from loved ones: If someone you care about is pulling away from social connections, it might be a sign they are struggling.
• Direct or indirect statements about not wanting to live: It’s crucial to take these seriously and offer support or seek help from a professional.

Our Resilience Suicide Prevention Training on September 27 offers tools to help recognize signs of distress, build emotional resilience, and take action in supporting others.

For more information on Gabor Maté’s work, you can visit his website at drgabormate.com and check out his books such as In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts or The Myth of Normal.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to us at [email protected] or 240-490-2833. Let’s work together to heal trauma, prevent suicide, and build a resilient community.