S4 E13:Scott Davis on Addressing Underlying Trauma

Beyond Theory

In this episode of Beyond Theory, Dominic Lawson interviews Scott Davis about his experience treating military personnel with substance use disorders (SUDs), trauma, and PTSD. Davis emphasizes the importance of addressing underlying childhood and family trauma when treating addiction and combat-related issues in military patients.

Davis explains that outpatient military programs may not be effective for some patients because deeper, unresolved issues from their past need to be addressed first. To build rapport with military patients, Meadows Behavioral Healthcare provides a welcoming environment, leverages the peer community, employs ex-military therapists, meets patients where they are, and asks targeted questions to establish connections. This approach has successfully reduced against medical advice (AMA) rates.

The Meadows Model, a comprehensive framework for trauma treatment, incorporates the expertise of senior fellows such as Pia Mellody, Patrick Carnes, Claudia Black, and Bessel van der Kolk. This integrative approach ensures cohesive, evidence-based care across Meadows' facilities.

To help patients regulate their nervous systems and become more receptive to therapy, Meadows utilizes complementary techniques such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), neurofeedback, tai chi, yoga, acupuncture, and meditation. The goal of trauma treatment is to process traumatic experiences into working memory rather than reliving them.

For parents concerned about their children experiencing trauma or anxiety, Davis advises creating a safe, well-boundaried home environment, openly communicating about worries, and filtering disturbing news or information. A stable home life enables children to better cope with challenges in the outside world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Addressing Childhood Trauma: When treating military personnel for substance use disorders (SUDs) and PTSD, it is crucial to address underlying childhood and family trauma before focusing on combat-related issues.

2. Building Rapport in Military Addiction Treatment: Effective strategies for building rapport with military patients include creating a welcoming environment, leveraging peer support, employing ex-military therapists, meeting patients where they are, and asking targeted questions to establish connections.

3. The Meadows Model for Trauma Treatment: Meadows Behavioral Healthcare utilizes an integrative approach to trauma treatment, incorporating the expertise of senior fellows like Pia Mellody, Patrick Carnes, Claudia Black, and Bessel van der Kolk for comprehensive, evidence-based care.

4. Regulating the Nervous System in Trauma Therapy: Complementary techniques such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), neurofeedback, tai chi, yoga, acupuncture, and meditation help patients regulate their nervous systems and become more receptive to therapy.

5. Supporting Children Coping with Trauma and Anxiety: Parents can help their children cope with trauma and anxiety by creating a safe, well-boundaried home environment, openly communicating about worries, and filtering disturbing news or information.

6. Comprehensive, Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment: Meadows Behavioral Healthcare is committed to providing comprehensive, trauma-informed addiction treatment that addresses the root causes of substance abuse and trauma to improve long-term recovery outcomes.

Throughout the interview, Davis highlights Meadows Behavioral Healthcare's commitment to providing comprehensive, trauma-informed addiction treatment for military personnel and civilians alike. By addressing the root causes of addiction and trauma, Meadows aims to improve long-term outcomes for patients seeking recovery and healing.

Scott Davis is the Chief Clinical Officer at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare. He has experience treating patients and military personnel who have substance use disorders, sex addiction, eating disorders, and trauma. In addition, he has training in such modalities as neurofeedback, brain mapping, EMDR, and more.