Unpacking the Pain: How Trauma Fuels Addiction with Guest Sean Ostendorf
What if the addiction wasn’t the root—but the response?
In this episode ofThe Recovered Life Show, host Damon Frank is joined by trauma therapist and EMDR specialist Sean Osterdorf to explore the hidden links between trauma, addiction, and the lingering emotional patterns that can persist long into recovery.
Together, they unpack:
What traumareallyis—and how it can quietly shape addiction
Why many people don’t realize they have trauma until after they get sober
How unresolved emotional pain becomes the fuel for cycles of dread, anxiety, and relapse
The role of EMDR in severing the emotional cord to past trauma
Why feeling “broken” is a lie—and how to reclaim your story
Whether you're just beginning your recovery or have been struggling for years and still battling emotional blocks, this episode offers practical insights and deep validation. Sean shares both clinical expertise and personal experience, reminding listeners:you’re not broken—you're healing.
