Understanding the Link Between Trauma and Substance Use
At Recovery at the Crossroads in Blackwood, NJ, we understand that trauma and addiction treatment often go hand in hand. In Episode 4 of In The Loop, Dr. Jacob Jacoby, our esteemed Medical Director, explains how unresolved trauma can deeply influence patterns of substance use—and why truly effective recovery starts with understanding the underlying emotional pain. With decades of experience in psychiatry and addiction medicine, Dr. Jacoby brings a compassionate, individualized approach to helping clients heal from the inside out.
Why Trauma Must Be Addressed in Addiction Treatment
“We understand that substance use, for the most part, does not occur in a vacuum,” Dr. Jacoby says. “It is a buildup of stressors and traumas for different people.”
Unlike simplistic models of addiction that focus only on chemical dependency, Dr. Jacoby emphasizes that substance use often begins as a response to deep emotional distress—including anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma.
Individuals struggling with addiction are often trying to manage pain they may not fully understand themselves. As Dr. Jacoby puts it:
“People don’t just wake up one morning and decide they will seek chemical relief for having a bad morning… It’s a buildup of things.”
A Personalized Approach to Healing
At Recovery at the Crossroads, we understand that every person’s story is different. That’s why our clinical team, led by Dr. Jacoby, takes an individualized approach to treatment—offering trauma-informed care that meets clients where they are emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.
“We have a staff of mental health workers that work with our patients on a case-by-case basis,” Dr. Jacoby explains. “We help them gain a better understanding of the linkage between how they feel, how they react, and how that impacts their substance use.”
This kind of emotional insight is critical in helping individuals move beyond simply “stopping” drug or alcohol use—toward a sustainable, meaningful recovery that builds self-esteem, improves relationships, and empowers long-term change.
A Trauma-Informed Recovery Model
Located in Blackwood, NJ, Recovery at the Crossroads offers trauma-informed treatment for individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our services include:
- One-on-one therapy
- Group counseling
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Holistic therapies like yoga, martial arts, and adventure therapy
- A kosher recovery track tailored for clients seeking a culturally sensitive environment
Your Recovery Journey Begins Here
Whether you’re in Blackwood, Cherry Hill, Woodbury, Washington Township, Camden, Turnersville, or the surrounding areas, our team is here to help you find clarity, healing, and hope. With the leadership of experts like Dr. Jacoby, Recovery at the Crossroads provides a safe and supportive path forward.
Meet Dr. Jacob Jacoby, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Jacob Jacoby brings more than three decades of experience in psychiatry and addiction treatment to Recovery at the Crossroads. From 1992 to 2000, he served as the Medical Director at the Alliance Outpatient Alcohol & Drug Treatment Program at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Beginning in 1994, he also held the roles of Co-Director and Clinical Director of Psychiatry at Bayonne Medical Center, where he served until 2015. Today, Dr. Jacoby continues his work as an attending psychiatrist and is widely recognized for his clinical excellence, deep compassion, and unwavering dedication to treating the whole person—not just their diagnosis. His expertise and patient-centered philosophy make him an invaluable leader on the Crossroads team.
