 Welcome back home back versus still why the morning and we have gotten to the health conversation today We want to talk about we wanted to talk about Trauma management, but we're changing that a little bit and talking about recovering from drag addiction But we'll touch on a bit on trauma management because we had mentioned it to you The guest that we have in studio is an expert of both She is a consulting therapist and coach. She goes by the name of faith mohanja. Kari. What's an effect? Glad to have you with us. I'm happy to be here. All right. So you're consulting Therapist, yes, tell us a little bit about that. What's your experience with? Handling at trauma management, you know trauma patients and Also people that have had addictions with drugs not just drugs, but all types of addiction so recovering from addiction It's been an interesting experience Because I get to interact with so many different people and families And I believe as a society. We are becoming more cautious of mental health as a whole And that's an amazing thing as compared to before when it used to be something that was stigmatized Yeah, yes, so we are definitely heading to the right direction Okay, amazing. So we had promised our viewers that would talk about trauma management But we have switched things up a bit We'll probably talk about it next time when you come, but we went to talk about dry No recovering from addiction but before we get into that because we had promised them tell us a little bit about trauma management There's a question that my co-host had asked before he left the set he asked there's Trauma that people experience in childhood affect them later or does wrong parenting cost trauma to children? It does it does A lot of people that grow up in dysfunctional families actually end up Being affected in their adulthood More so when they undergo Negligence, you know all absent parents They end up being affected and there can also be a sexual assault on children Which will definitely result in trauma in their adulthood and it affects them in a variety of ways for example, if you undergo trauma You are less likely to be able to form healthy relationships in your adulthood And even if you do it will be a struggle to maintain them So at the end of the day even when you talk about Productivity at work it becomes a struggle because you have been affected You have to go back and like Fix that so that you don't become fixated at that point and that's why it's important to seek professional help Whenever someone has undergone something traumatic in their childhood Because a lot of how we are in our adulthood is a result of our childhood You know, it's usually say that The child is the parent of the adults You know, so who you are right now is a result of your upbringing you are raised You know, so if you are not if you did not get the affection and the attention You needed while growing up They'll definitely be a problem Okay So what kind of trauma do what causes trauma or what does trauma look like for someone who doesn't really can't really get You know an understanding of trauma. How does it look like? trauma is just an event Happens to a person and this person is unable to move past that event That means it could have been tragic or sudden Something that this person did not expect and so they end up struggling with coming to terms with whatever happened Yes, for example a Lady who goes through rape? She'll be traumatized because this is something that has affected her Entireity, you know, so she ends up struggling trusting men trusting herself Yeah, okay, and does trauma have a connection to addiction what we're talking about next it can can it lead to addictions it can and Most people who are traumatized end up trying to self-medicate and in the process they end up becoming addicted to these drugs for example a Man who was in the military war and Is discharged becomes a veteran is most likely to try Self-medicating to reduce the flashbacks that come as a result of the trauma And by doing this they might actually end up becoming addicted to it was alcohol or whatever drug of trees They were using to self-medicate There's a likelihood they will become hooked to it because they will want to get that is You know that relief from the experience that they went through so they keep on going back to using drugs Okay, so now With addiction we have said they keep on get going back. Maybe you can lay a clear distinction between being an addict and just You know being a user If there's a difference what to what extent you get to be an addict We usually say there are social users and they are addicts when we talk about a social user This is a person that is a functional user Of their drug of choice that means they use these drugs, but they are still able to function They're still able to go to work. They're still able to be there for their families But when we talk about addiction one thing that most people don't actually realize is that addiction is a disease So it's not something that a person can Fight against and it's not something that a person wants for themselves Yeah, because when you talk about addiction this person cannot do without their drug of choice completely Yes All right And is that a way that they can get over an addiction by themselves in their own efforts? There are some who do but It's not usually easy and for most people they will require more they'll require more support. They'll require more help Rehabilitation because a lot of people who try to get over addiction by themselves They actually find themselves falling back into using and not that You know at this point when a person is an addict their willpower Is not there they can no longer like Commit themselves to stop and just stop They will need to go under the therapy sessions the rehabilitation Yeah, okay able to stop. All right, and we'll get to the To the rehabilitation process, but let's talk of the different forms of addiction that are there apart from that drags What other form of addiction does someone get into? Yeah, there are also behavioral addictions Apart from the drug addiction. There is behavioral addiction like like let's say sex addiction Gambling gambling is a form of behavioral addiction. So when we talk about behavioral addiction, the only difference Between it and drug addiction is that when it comes to behavioral addiction This person cannot do without that behavior and they find themselves Repeatedly doing that same behavior even though it produces negative results. Yes so they just you know, it's easy to to associate Addiction with drags and alcohol, but speaking of behavioral addiction some people You know as you've said Get into sexual addictions and some don't know if it's actually a result of maybe a trauma that they experienced But you've said it could be a result of trauma at the end of the day and also Gambling they look at it as something I believe gambling banter Betting could be in the same bracket. They add they are in the same bracket. Yes. So They get into it and they see it as something that they're doing to help themselves But it's actually an addiction that they've gotten into which is not beneficial to themselves. Yes. So is there any Between probably not but let me just ask is there any that's better than the other or easier to handle than the other behavioral versus The substance abuse addiction I wouldn't say so because when we look at both of them the Consequences of both are really dire, you know, because when you talk about behavioral addiction a person can end up spending all they have On these habits that they are unable to control So they can end up using all their finances to sustain that habits Let's say if it's gambling, you know, there are people who give away even their houses their land Just to satisfy that urge and when you come to drug addiction the same happens So the consequences of both are really dire and negative. So I don't think there's one that is better than the other It is just that people who have behavioral addictions Most times don't realize as you have said that they are actually addicted to something Okay, that is not good for them. All right. So now How do you what is a process? How do you handle? cases where Interhabilitation basically take taking or walking with a patient who has a Drug addiction or any form of addiction. How does the process look like? I Believe the first step is always to help these clients or this person Understand that whatever they are having or whatever they are struggling with Is not their fault, you know to help them come out of that denial because most of them come into therapy Yeah, and a lot of denial they still don't want to accept that this is where this Addiction has brought them actually and most of them it requires them to hit rock bottom for them to like To agree that things are out of control So the first step is usually to help them overcome the denial So the they need to fast to know that they have the addiction Yes, okay, and is it before you continue? Is it also paramount for them to know why the reason why they got addicted to it? It is it is and that's why during therapy sessions It's important for a therapist to find the underlying issue because there's always the underlying issue I don't believe that someone just takes up one day and becomes an addict There must be something that has gotten them to that point. Okay, so now yeah, take you were taking us through the process So now yeah after that after they have actually accepted and And moved past the denial it becomes easier to help them even understand what you are seeing the underlying issue Whatever has brought them to this point and after that You just work with the client to move past that You cycle educate them About the addiction because they require knowledge, you know when you have a problem you need to understand Just like when you go to hospital and you find out you have cancer They will give you cycle education on what that is and how to go about it just helping them understand the triggers What they should avoid even after the rehabilitation? How they should manage their lives because we always say Addiction is not something that can be cured, but it's something that can be managed Okay, that's a very good point there. I thought it could be cured like I thought someone can totally completely get over an addiction But it can be managed. So you okay what expound on that? Yes, so When it comes to addiction A person who is addicted let's say to alcohol for the rest of their lives They they stand a chance of falling back into using so it's just like you know We say that addiction is a chronic disease Yeah, we say it's a chronic disease. That means it's something that this person will live with for the rest of their lives They will just learn how to live with it. I believe it's just like Let's say high blood pressure Diabetes, you know this chronic diseases. You just learn how to live with it. But when it comes to addiction it's actually It's a bit tricky because if it's not well managed it can end up leading to the person's death Yeah, all right Okay, very interesting. So now you've taken the person to past the denial stage. They've gotten to understand the triggers and What's then the line factors of it and then now with that Just the sessions continue. That's just yes. What happens? Yes Yes, until they are able to stand on the by you know, until they are able to manage this by themselves But we keep on working with them because you have said it's a lifetime disease So even as counselors we keep on working with these people even after we complete the sessions Yes, okay, and This happening is it in a rehab center or can for an addict or can can you have like a day in you know Patients and outpatient rather. Yeah, do you have to to be an inpatients? You can be an I believe it's usually more of what the family feels is Flexible for them or right for them So they are patients who are inpatients and they are patients who are outpatients. So it also depends on the severity of the illness So how far has it progressed? Because addiction is also progressive All right. Yeah, it starts from a point where they are able to control it and then it ends up being something They can't control. Okay, so a person who is unable to like totally Live their lives normally we usually recommend in patient treatments. All right, so now There's this thing that people normally say that you can't really help an addict if they don't want to be helped Is it is it true Do you is it doesn't have to come from within that you really want To get out of their addiction because otherwise you'll sleep back Even after you have recovered Of some sorts it does actually For you to be able to help an addict they have to be willing as you have say the force has to come from within No matter how much this person wants to change for someone else There will always be a likelihood of them falling back But when they decide that they want to do it for themselves They are more likely to succeed at it So even if you force an addict to go through Treatment and their mind is made up that they will not change even at the end of the rehabilitation period They'll still go back to using until they decide that they want to do it for themselves so what does the family do in such an instance, you know your Your family member your brother your sister is in a bad state and you need to help them And that's the much you can go take them to rehab. So how do they handle such situations? Do you help them in such instances, you know, we can always do only as much as we are able to do You can't do past what someone is Allowing you to do for them and so by the family just taking that first step and bringing their loved one to their rehab But their loved one is not willing to still move past that They might complete the period of rehabilitation But the next day that they are released they go back to using so we usually you know We usually say that they are Unfortunate to no matter what you do. They will always fall back into using and there's nothing About it Have you ever caught in a case where someone was unwilling, but then they get Into rehab and through the counseling. Maybe they somehow change their mind. Yes quite a few because Also exposure to all that psychoeducation helps some people to actually see that there was a problem because what usually limits a lot of People from accepting treatment is the aspect of denial the aspect of there is no problem with me, you know, my family is just Getting into my business unnecessarily But when you sit down with these clients and through the sessions you help them see Where their life was heading? There are some who actually have a change of heart and they end up like they end up Sustaining the journey of recovery Okay I mean then do you have examples of successful outcomes that you have seen? You know, you know some amazing spectacular different from the others that you've seen in the patients that you've had Yes, yes quite a few and it's actually fulfills my heart when a Client goes through my hands and after that I see them You know picking up their lives and moving on to become what they wanted to be I've had quite a few because we usually do follow-ups Yes, so when they come and we get to talk and you know whenever they are stuck they can always call So it's like in the long run. We are their support system. And it's just amazing when a client Becomes sober for a long period of time and they are able to sustain it because you also get to see the Happiness in their families and it's an amazing thing. It's so satisfying No, amazing clearly and you you know you You first lights up when you say that so now Many survivors or many people that have been through rehab and have recovered or at least I'm managing it as you've said That it's usually hard now after we have especially those that are inpatient You've come from this environment where you have you believe yourself You have changed and you go back and you face the same conditions Maybe it was just you taking yourself, but still the triggers are there I don't know if this are the triggers. Maybe it was your family The kid the kills that is there or the people how they perceive you this is an alcoholic even when you change You still an alcoholic You know, what would you what do you say to that? When the clients are still in sessions, we usually prepare them Psychologically for what lies on the other side even after they complete the first thing usually tell them is that The fact that they are in rehab Their loved ones are still out there and you know in most cases Addicts cause so much pain and suffering to their family members and as a result even the family has become dysfunctional and sick So the fact that this addict is being treated and the family is still out there There will still be some bit of mistrust even after this person has changed So it's something that we tell them to expect so that they won't be taken aback and We usually try as much as possible to do as many family therapies. Yeah, I want to do ask about the therapies Yes, so what when the patients is In rehab the family is also going through therapy at the same time. Yes It's important so that even when even them they can get to understand What this addiction is because most of the families actually think It's this person not wanting to be serious with life They want to change. Yes, not wanting to change This person just being a spend thrift But we help them understand that this is a disease It's not these persons liking to be the way they are, you know and just Encourage the family to offer these persons supports even as they undergo the treatments Okay Amazing so now The triggers let's talk a little bit about the triggers when the person is out for you with a different addiction What are the triggers that are usually there? Yes, so when we come to triggers we usually say they are three It might be people the people they used to associate with maybe the friends they used to use with Maybe the family as you have seen there are family members who can be triggers We talk about places the places they used to go to use and the places that Maybe if the home environment is not really conducive for them That can be a trigger and the third thing is usually things When we talk about things we refer to, you know, let's say Bottles of alcohol Okay. Yes Let's say for smokers They usually have I think ashtrays Yes, so such things can be triggers So they have to do away with this if it's about changing Environments for a while until they stabilize after the rehabilitation If it's about friends just avoiding the negative people even if it's family members You know because you are able you're able to walk away from people who are not good for you So we encourage that putting away things that can remind them about using and trigger them into wanting to use Okay, so it's completely Disassociating with things that will get them back to what they're actually trying to run away from or recover from exactly Okay. Amazing. Now before we close this we've really talked about, you know Drag addiction alcohol addiction the things that can be seen, you know Because when you're addicted to alcohol you probably see you on the streets so many, you know We'll probably see you reacting, but there's this hidden Addictions that we have not talked much about and this are the behavioral addictions I don't know if gambling can be seen I think maybe it depends if you expose it choose to Expose it because you can just be betting Chinayamaji and you're just losing On this end or winning but still you're addicted to it and we also have sexual addiction which is very Personal it can be very personal only the people that you associate with know But your family might not know about it and it's actually eating you up So how do you advise them or how do you advise the family? Are there things to that point out that this person has an addiction for someone to see so that they actually point them out and Help them with rehabilitation. Yes. Yes, there are things that can actually Point out that this person needs help one of them is when this person starts Separating themselves or isolating themselves from their loved ones when they start using all their finances to finance whatever their addiction is and For some people they even end up Starting to steal from their loved ones or their friends in order to just have the money to finance their habits when there is a Some become really irritable whenever you bring that up, you know If I'm drinking excessively and every time my family wants to bring it up I get really defensive and angry and irritable. It shows. There's a problem Because I already know there's a problem. So I'm just being defensive to like Block them from bringing it up again. So such things are actually a sign that this person needs help Right. Yeah, amazing. What do you what do you say to to those that are going through an addiction and They know it. Maybe they are afraid of coming out and saying that I have a problem and I need help Yeah, what what do you say to them? And this is your camera. You can speak directly For anyone who is going through an addiction of any kind. There is always help out there You don't have to walk the journey alone and I would encourage us even as a society To embrace these people and just show them more grace, you know, because If we keep on condemning them, we are not helping them even as a family if you gang up against this person and you keep on Trying to guilt-trip them. It is likely that it won't work. It will just make the situation worse So it's for us to become more embracing Even with their weaknesses and just more supportive so that they can feel They can feel like they can or they are able to seek help Because support system is very important. There are things that we can't walk alone. There are journeys which we can't walk alone Yeah, and what about the I'm still on the behavioral addiction because they're not really much talks about How do you come out because you know, it's it's a bitch, you know It's almost normal to say I have a drug addiction and I'm addicted to alcohol But it's almost shameful to say I have a sexual addiction. Who do you approach? How do you go about it? Is it the same rehab that that they go to with those that are addicted to? Drugs and substance. Yes. Yes, it's the same because for both the aspects of Compulsive using or compulsive engaging in the habits and you know, the lack of control They are just then controllable edges. These aspects are the same for both behavioral and drug addiction So we treat them both in rehabilitation centers. They are not like special rehabs for behavioral and drug addiction Okay, yes, and that that prescribed medication or is it just psychosocial therapy? They are also Medication for both. Yes. We call it Pharmotherapy, pharmacotherapy. Mm-hmm. Yes. So they are usually prescribed by psychiatrists. All right. Yes Okay, thank you very much For the wonderful insight that you've shared with us faith I don't know if you have any final word that you want to say as you share with us your social media handles again That's your color. Yes so I believe we can do more we can do more as you have said There's so much stigma when it comes to some of these issues as a society we can we can become more More embracing as I've said because These people they go through a lot. Yeah, and their families go through a lot And in the case that a person is an addict mostly even the family becomes Stigmatized or shamed by the society, which is not really a good thing So we can move past that as a society and grow into Awareness of these issues because they happen. It's not something we can close our eyes to Yes, what are your social handles? In Instagram Therapist faith muhunger Facebook faith muhunger. Yes. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you That has been our faith muhunger who's a consulting therapist and coach talking to us about Recovering from addiction. I hope you have taken something from it if you're an addict There is hope for you or if you know someone who's an addicts We need to show more grace to them and to their families because it's a condition like any other Thank you for staying with us through this conversation There's still more coming your way brand soccer will be coming on next with a very very interesting Conversation that you want to be a part of the hashtag is one the morning at 25 for channel See you on the other side