Episode 187: Trauma Responses

Welcome back, friends, to another episode of the Worth Recovery Podcast. I’m Amy, and today I’m sharing an episode I recorded two years ago about trauma responses. This episode is deeply personal, as it includes memories from my own childhood trauma. I’m sharing these experiences not to compare my trauma to anyone else’s but to help us all better understand how our pasts can impact our behaviors and lives, often without us realizing it.

Many of us enter recovery without fully understanding our histories or how they’ve shaped us. We might think we had a great childhood or struggle to remember parts of it at all. As I recount my experiences, I hope to offer insights into how trauma memories can resurface, sometimes many years into sobriety, as they did for me.

In this episode, I discuss a traumatic experience from my childhood that I’ve struggled to remember clearly. Through therapy, I’ve come to understand that different types of memory exist, including emotional and bodily memories, which can resurface unexpectedly. My journey has shown me that the process of uncovering and healing from trauma can be slow and nonlinear. It took me ten years of sobriety to begin to understand some of my own trauma.

I also talk about how our bodies can react to trauma in ways we might not expect. A routine dental visit unexpectedly triggered a traumatic memory for me, revealing a past assault I hadn’t fully understood. This experience emphasized the importance of having a supportive network and allowing ourselves time to heal and understand our trauma.

Finally, I remind listeners that it’s okay to take your time when sharing your own experiences. Vulnerability can be daunting, but sharing when you feel ready can be empowering and healing. I hope this episode helps you in your journey to understanding your own life and experiences.