The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma as “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” Unfortunately, trauma can be a part of life for everyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, or sexual orientation. This means that addressing these underlying triggers for drug and alcohol use is integral to effective behavioral health care, especially in the recovery process.