Dr. Matthew Hedelius pushes trauma-informed addiction treatment

Dr. Matthew Hedelius says addiction recovery works best when care addresses trauma, attachment wounds and emotional pain, not just the behavior itself. Paradise Creek Recovery Center in Idaho is using trauma-focused therapies and family support in residential treatment for adult men.

Why it matters: - Behavioral addiction is still widely misunderstood as a simple issue of willpower or bad choices. - Dr. Matthew Hedelius says that framing can deepen shame and delay treatment for people coping with unresolved trauma. - Trauma-informed care can help people understand their reactions, reduce shame and build longer-term recovery skills.

What happened: - Dr. Matthew Hedelius, director and president of Paradise Creek Recovery Center, highlighted trauma-informed care in addiction recovery on June 30, 2026. - Hedelius has spent more than 26 years working with people facing trauma and compulsive behavioral patterns. - Paradise Creek Recovery Center provides residential treatment for adult males with compulsive behavioral challenges and related emotional difficulties. - The center operates on a 16-acre campus near Idaho's City of Rocks National Reserve. - More information is available in the company's announcement.

The details: - Hedelius said compulsive behaviors often reflect unresolved emotional pain and attempts to cope with stress, loneliness, shame or trauma. - Paradise Creek Recovery uses trauma-focused therapies including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, mindfulness, experiential therapy and group work. - Treatment plans are individualized. - Patients take part in multiple individual therapy sessions each week. - Hedelius said neuroscience has sharpened understanding of how trauma affects the brain and why certain behavior patterns persist. - Paradise Creek Recovery also emphasizes connection and attachment repair. - Family involvement is part of the program, with staff working with loved ones to address the emotional and relational effects of addiction.

Between the lines: - The recovery model described by Hedelius shifts attention from stopping behavior to treating underlying causes. - That approach also aims to lower shame, which can be a barrier to seeking help and staying in treatment. - The emphasis on family and attachment suggests recovery is being treated as both a clinical and relational process, not just an individual one.

What's next: - Hedelius said lasting recovery usually requires understanding, support and a willingness to address deeper issues beneath the behavior. - Paradise Creek Recovery Center plans to continue using clinical expertise, trauma-informed care and education to support long-term healing. - As mental health conversations evolve, Hedelius hopes more people will view addiction through a compassionate and informed lens.

The bottom line: - Paradise Creek Recovery Center is betting that trauma-informed treatment can help people move beyond shame and build more durable recovery.