In a world where news of one tragic event after another seems to happen, in real time, all day long via television, radio, social media, internet news, blogs, and podcasts that report as many different views as there are media outlets, one can get exhausted and overwhelmed very quickly.
Especially for those folks in addiction recovery communities, whether it is for drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc., people on the recovery path can experience trauma vicariously through tragedies such as mass shootings, even if it does not affect them directly, is on the other side of the country, or in other parts of the world. The world and its leaders who breed hate and division, which creates violence, can be really heavy for alcoholics and addicts to carry around and deal with.
Vicarious trauma happens when anyone who engages empathetically with the trauma they are witnessing around them. For example, I understand all too well that I have “white privilege” and some of the tragic events occurring in my country at this time will not affect me directly, per se. Furthermore, I am a middle-aged, divorced white woman with two sons, and some of the rights being stomped on for younger women will not affect me directly either.
However, I feel deeply for others and take the teachings I was brought up with, such as “love thy neighbor as you have loved Me,” to heart. And that heart breaks when I see others being treated unfairly, beaten down, or bullied. My soul screams for justice, yet I understand that I am not in charge of this world and its people – only myself and my actions.
So, I pray and make certain that I am available to stand up for those who do not have the same opportunities to do so as I do. Also, I take action to contribute small acts of kindness within my community to create positive ripples, or at the very least help those people feel less alone and give them a safe place to rest.
Cleveland Clinic offers this definition: “Vicarious trauma is the experience of absorbing others’ pain in times of their distress so deeply that it affects your own well-being. It’s closely related to concepts like empathy fatigue, secondary trauma, vicarious distress and caretaker burnout.
There’s strength in being sensitive, in being an empathetic person. But there are boundaries that we need to have that delineate between our experiences and other people’s experiences.
Think of it like this: You’re walking with a friend, and they fall into quicksand. Jumping into the quicksand with them won’t do either of you any good. Seeking dry land, and offering them a branch to pull themselves out with? Now you’re on to something,”.
The topic of having healthy boundaries seems to keep coming up for me lately. Hmm, maybe the Universe/God/Creator is trying to tell me something?
Coping after mass violence
Having an understanding of what vicarious trauma is and setting healthy boundaries for myself is great in theory, but actually putting it into practice will take some work and patience on my part. One tool we hear in recovery rooms is “Let go and let God”, meaning pray about it and then leave it in God’s hands.
Sometimes it takes me saying the long form of the Serenity Prayer over and over before I can loosen up my death grip and really let it go! Here is my version of that prayer:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference
Living one day at a time
Enjoying one moment at a time
Accepting hardship as the way to peace
Taking, as You did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it
Trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will
That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen ~
According to an online recovery community, In the Rooms, they offer the following suggestions for dealing with vicarious trauma, “In the wake of mass violence, whether it happens close to home or flashes across our screens, it’s normal to feel shaken. The emotional impact can be deep, even if we weren’t directly involved. If you are in Recovery these moments can especially stir old wounds, heighten anxiety, or leave you feeling off-balance.
Whether the violence is local or distant, its emotional impact can ripple through our lives. Reactions, like fear, anger, confusion and anxiety can be overwhelming or leave us feeling disconnected. However, it can also remind us of what healing looks like when it’s shared.
Creating safe spaces. Both physically and emotionally. Safe spaces allow grief, anger, numbness, and confusion to coexist. There’s no pressure to “move on” or “stay positive.” Instead, we honor the full range of emotional responses.
Building trust through transparency. Transparency means more than sharing information, it’s about being honest, consistent, and clear, especially when emotions run high.
Supporting peer-led recovery. Shared experience matters. Sometimes the safest space is one where someone says, “Me too.”
Planning ahead so communities can respond with care, not chaos.
These tips can help:
- Talk about it. Reach out to family, friends, or a sponsor: people who care and will listen.
- Honor your feelings. There’s no “right” way to respond.
- Limit media exposure. Too much news can reawaken distress.
- Take care of your body. Eat well, rest, and move gently.
- Help others. Acts of kindness can restore a sense of agency.
- Recovery Is a Community Effort
Whether you’re grieving, angry, or just exhausted, know this: you’re not alone. Recovery isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have to be solitary. In times like these, our community matters more than ever,”.
Dealing with trauma in addiction recovery
In addition to the ways mentioned above to deal with trauma, it has been suggested to me to continue to focus on my recovery and keep my own home in order to remain sane and resilient. Besides prayer, I utilize the tools of meditation and reflection on recovery’s daily readings.
For instance, one of my favorite readings comes from Hazelden Betty Ford’s Twenty-Four Hours a Day book. In fact, Hazelden has this to say about how to deal with trauma in addiction recovery, “Patients: Talking to your counselor or therapist about exploring Trauma Informed Care can be a wonderful tool to reduce your symptoms in a safe, structured environment without having to commit to the direct processing of your traumatic event.
Due to the prevalence of co-occurring symptoms of trauma and substance use disorders, substance use counselors and mental health practitioners are encouraged to be familiar with the practices of Trauma Informed Care,”.
Is vicarious trauma real
In conclusion, whether you are an addict or just an everyday Joe, the psychological and physiological effects of witnessing trauma, near or far, are very real and must be addressed.
May peace and serenity be upon you and your loved ones ~