“I Just Want to Be Done Already” By Estil Wallace Recovery is a lifelong effort and accepting that fact can

Trauma may be a difficult topic for men to talk about. Feelings of shame and guilt may surround them. Society expects men to be “tough,” but these expectations can cause men to ignore or diminish the trauma in their lives. However, traumatic events cause emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral effects.
Trauma is the physical and emotional response to a disturbing event that overwhelms the ability to cope. It may cause feelings of hopelessness, diminish a sense of self, and decrease the ability to feel a full range of emotions. Many events may cause trauma, including:
In American society as well as most culture around the world, men are taught from a young age that they must be strong. We discourage our men from showing emotions and instead teach them that confidence, strength, success, and composure are the defining factors of being a man. Phrases like “Boys don’t cry” or “Don’t be such a girl” teach young boys that anything emotional is seen as “feminine or weak.” Emotions in men are often diminished, and young boys are taught to “man up.” By teaching men from a young age to ignore their emotions, they learn to avoid their real feelings.
Emotional reactions to trauma vary. The feelings most likely to surface after a traumatic event include anger, fear, sadness, and shame. However, men may have a hard time identifying these emotions because a lack of experience or exposure to expressing feelings may make them hard to recognize. Some may also believe that expressing emotions is too dangerous and may lead to feeling out of control.
Trauma usually leads to feeling too much or feeling too little. Feeling too little is also known as numbness. Numbing is a biological process where emotions are detached from thoughts, memories, and behaviors.
Some trauma survivors have a hard time regulating emotions. Substance use is one of the methods individuals may use to attempt to regain emotional control. However, using drugs causes further emotional dysregulation.
There is a significant connection between trauma and chronic health conditions. A common symptom that arises after a traumatic event is hyperarousal, which is characterized by sleep disturbances, such as early awakening, restless sleep, difficulty falling asleep, and nightmares; muscle tension; and a lower threshold for startle responses. Biological changes cause hyperarousal and it is typically used as a means of self-protection but can cause hazardous effects. An individual may not be able to take the time to assess and respond to events. It can also cause someone to overreact to situations they may perceive as dangerous.
Traumatic experiences can affect and alter cognitions. Intrusive thoughts and memories can occur in traumatized men. Intrusive thoughts are memories or thoughts associated with trauma that come on without warning or desire. They can easily trigger strong emotional and behavioral reactions as if the trauma was occurring in the present. These thoughts and memories can come rapidly and disrupt daily life.
Triggers cause intrusive thoughts. They are stimuli that set off a memory of a trauma or a specific portion of a traumatic experience. For example, someone may have been trapped in a car after an accident. Then, sometime after the event, they were unable to open the latch on a bathroom stall. This may induce feelings of panic, similar to those during the car accident. Some triggers can be identified and anticipated easily, while others may be subtle and inconspicuous.
Flashbacks can also occur in trauma survivors. A flashback is re-experiencing a traumatic event as if it were happening at that moment. Experiences are typically very brief and only last a few seconds, but the emotional aftereffects may linger for hours or days. Flashbacks are most often initiated by a trigger but also may come out of nowhere. Physical states, such as fatigue and high stress, can also increase the chances of experiencing flashbacks.
Dissociation is a cognitive effect of trauma. It is a mental process that severs connections between thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, and identity. Dissociation can occur as a result of extreme stress to protect someone from harmful feelings.
The consequences of traumatic events may include behavioral reactions. Self-harm is a typical behavioral response to trauma. It is intentionally self-inflicted harm used to cope with physical or emotional distress. Self-harm occurs in individuals who have experienced repeated or early childhood trauma. Typical forms of self-harm include cutting, burning, punching oneself hard enough to bruise, banging one’s head against walls or objects, pulling out hair, and excessive scratching.
Substance use is another common behavioral response to trauma. The use of substances can vary based on several factors, including which trauma symptoms are most prominent. Substance use is a common way for trauma survivors to avoid or displace difficult emotions.
As young boys, many men in America are taught how to be “manly.” These teachings cause men to believe that feeling their emotions means they are weak, leading to a repression of trauma. However, the effects of trauma still show themselves emotionally, physically, cognitively, and behaviorally. Substance use is very commonly seen in trauma survivors as a way to self-medicate and avoid difficult emotions. At Cornerstone Healing Center, we offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy to heal trauma. EMDR can help diminish feelings of stress and anxiety and may be instrumental in helping you in your recovery. Along with EMDR, we also offer individual therapy. Cornerstone Healing Center’s staff of highly qualified and compassionate professionals genuinely cares about your recovery, as well as your health and well-being. Our treatment centers use a combination of spirituality and science to help you recover from addiction. If you or a loved one struggles with trauma-related substance use, call Cornerstone Healing Center at (800) 643-2108.
“I Just Want to Be Done Already” By Estil Wallace Recovery is a lifelong effort and accepting that fact can
When Your Partner Is Part of the Problem By Estil Wallace Just because you’re in recovery doesn’t mean that your
Marcus Clark, Escaping Rock Bottom Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8fuKZ98shM From Homeless Drug User to Saving Lives As COO Of A Valley Recovery
You’re Not A Burden By Estil Wallace As you get help for your addiction, you may lean on your friends
Filling The Void of Old Cravings By Estil Wallace Once you’ve learned not to give in to your desire to
Addiction and Suicide By Estil Wallace The statistics can paint a grim picture of heavy overlap between substance abuse disorders
To Hell & Back https://youtu.be/CJCqphEYqec Marcus Clark:Yeah, hello.Speaker 2:Hi.Estil Wallace:Good evening, hello. So, my name is Estil, I'm CEO and
You Are Not a Lost Cause By Estil Wallace As you move through the process of recovery, you may be
Rebuilding Relationships After Addiction By Estil Wallace After making it through treatment, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild various
The Role of Ego in Addiction By Estil Wallace You’ve probably heard it said before: addiction is a disease that
From Teen Addict To Founder Of Treatment Center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyUo-oCyuPs&t=1s Speaker 1:This podcast is sponsored by Cornerstone Healing Center, where they
Will This Ever Get Easier? By Estil Wallace Like everything in life, your sobriety will change as time goes on.
Life After Rehab By Estil Wallace Once you’ve taken the first steps on your path towards recovery from addiction, you’ll
“But My Family Needs Me!” By Estil Wallace One common reason why men, in particular, may delay getting help for
I Don’t Think I Can Afford Treatment By Estil Wallace Even if you’ve acknowledged that you’re struggling with addiction, external
“I’m Not That Bad Yet” By Estil Wallace These words come out of the mouths of so many people struggling
Should I Stay Or Should I Go? By Estil Wallace There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. For some, moving to
“I Wish He Would Just Stop” By Estil Wallace “I wish he would just stop.” If you or a loved
Understanding the Benefits of Fellowship By Estil Wallace Just like with investing in the stock market, it’s in your best
Building a Life Beyond Addiction By Estil Wallace Your recovery is a journey that doesn't have a hard endpoint; your
Cocaine Psychosis By Estil Wallace While America's ongoing opiate crisis may be a hot topic in today's news, cocaine has
The Spiritual Transformation of Recovery By Estil Wallace If you've looked into Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12-Step programs, you
When Love Isn't Enough By Estil Wallace There's no two ways about it: love is one of the strongest forces
Don’t Go It Alone: The Importance of Fellowship and Sponsorship in Recovery By Estil Wallace We are, as humans, a
Battling Addiction During a Pandemic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07lsXkWmpz8 Elwood Porter II:There's a couple different industries that's pandemic proof and drugs is one
The Power Behind Accepting Powerlessness By Estil Wallace From the moment we begin to form our identities, we're taught that
I Think My Son Is Using Heroin By Estil Wallace If you're worried that your son may be using heroin
What Is Evidence-Based Treatment? By Estil Wallace When considering your options for treatment plans, you may be amazed at how
Meditation Practice and How It Can Help in Recovery By Estil Wallace Meditation is about practicing awareness and getting a
The Importance of Combining the 12-Steps and Therapy By Estil Wallace The 12-Steps, typically associated with Alcoholics Anonymous (or Cocaine
The Effects of Trauma on Men By Estil Wallace Trauma may be a difficult topic for men to talk about.
You Can Come Back From Relapse By Cornerstone You’ve completed rehab and worked hard to regain sobriety. Everything is going
Why Gender-Specific Treatment Is Important By Estil Wallace When seeking treatment for substance or alcohol use disorder, the choices can
When You Can't Hold Your Liquor “Like a Man” By Estil Wallace In Western culture, boys are raised to be
Your Responsibilities Should Not Keep You Out of Treatment By Estil Wallace Despite the stereotypes of an addict or alcoholic
Your Child, The Addict By Estil Wallace It is unquestionably every parent's worst nightmare: your child is sick or hurting,
Addiction Won't Wait For theCOVID-19 Crisis to End By Christina Rock Freelance Writer/Analyst April 3rd 2020 The federal government has
Staying Sober & Sane During This COVID-19 Crisis By Lionel Estrada Addiction Counselor March 18th 2020 With the Covid-19 pandemic
Drug Abuse and Addiction Statistics By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing Editor January 17th 2020 The
Walking through fire. A scary yet highly effective approach to long-term addiction recovery By Estil Wallace Founder of cornerstone Healing
Self-Assessment Quiz: Do You Have a Drug Problem? By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing Editor December
Types of DUIs in Arizona By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing Editor November 6th, 2019 Arizona
Self-Assessment Quiz: Do You Have a Drinking Problem? By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing Editor November
Getting a DUI in Arizona Sucks: 7 Crucial Things You Need to Do Now By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental
Addiction Recovery Is Possible By Stacey Smith PhD, CSAT, EMDR Chief Clinical Officer at Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/gp2whjjdQqw Share on
What Is Detox, and Who Needs to Go? By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing Editor September
5 Things To Keep in Your Sobriety Toolbox By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing Editor July
Can Drug and Alcohol Rehab Help Me? By Karen Kritzstein Clinical Lead at Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/SAXt4Cm_Q58 Share on facebook
Estil Wallace, CEO/FOUNDER | Cornerstone Healing Center By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/1EkM0Q5fCpg Share on facebook Share
What is an AA Sponsor, and Why do I need one? By Megan Krause Writer, Editor and Director of Content
What Alcohol Recovery has done for me By Karen Kritzstein Clinical Lead at Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/PImWczf-izU Share on facebook
What do they do for Alcoholics in Rehab? By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/caNrhaqj5lI Share on facebook
The Impact of Addiction Treatment By Sharmyn Townsend Yoga Instructor at Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/4VwJB_xopnA Share on facebook Share on
What Are the Signs of Addiction? By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Drug addiction is the inability to
How can you help someone with an Addiction? By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Watching your loved struggle
Sober Living in Phoenix By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Are you new to recovery in the Phoenix
What Are the First Steps in Addiction Treatment? By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center At first, drinking or
How to Help an Alcoholic? By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Do you have a family member or
What is Holistic Rehab? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdvNr2NoAf0
The Mind-Body Connection: Why Good Nutrition Is Important to Substance Abuse Recovery By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor,
Ways to Treat Alcoholism By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Drinking alcohol has become a threat to society,
How Long Is Addiction Treatment? By Sead Hasic Admission Coordinator at Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/9NJWJJ_zeek Share on facebook Share on
How to Overcome Addiction? By Anna Luna Community Liason at Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/GELEuKatah8 Share on facebook Share on google
What is a Rehab Center? By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center What crosses your mind when you hear
What makes a good drug rehab? By Marcus Clark Executive Director at Cornerstone Healing Center https://youtu.be/qA9lwEnEK8U Share on facebook Share
6 Ways to Treat Addiction By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Addiction is a chronic disease that robs
Types Of Addiction Treatment: Detox, Inpatient, PHP, Intensive Outpatient & Aftercare By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center If
Words of Wisdom From Chronic Relapsers Who Achieved Long-Term Sobriety By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing
The 5 Stages of Addiction: A Guide For Parents By Megan Krause Content Strategist, Developmental Editor, Editor, Writer, Managing Editor
How Meditation (MBSR) Helps Me Stay Sober And Calm By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Meditation can sound
Why Should I Go To Sober Living After Treatment? By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center When making the
Yoga & Addiction Recovery By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center YogaThis quite literally saving my life. In addition
Failure to Launch: Substance Abuse and Arrested Development By Eileen Spatz Copywriter Specializing in Substance Use Disorders Western culture doesn't
Understanding Addiction as a Disease By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Honestly, who in their right mind would
Parenting an Addict: Intervention, Treatment and Self-Care By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Becoming a parent is one
A Mind, Body and Spirit approach to Long Term Recovery By Estil Wallace CEO/Founder of Cornerstone Healing Center Long Term