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2.07 | APPLYING TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IN PRACTICE - The relationship between trauma, mental health, and AOD use

eLEARNING SERIESAPPLYING TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IN PRACTICE
MODULE NAMEThe relationship between trauma, mental health, and AOD use
MODULE NUMBERModule 1 of 7
LEARNING LEVELLevel 2 – Core AOD Skills
TARGET AUDIENCEAll AOD, Mental Health, and SEWB workers who provide counselling and/or case management style support to people accessing services.
MODULE AIMThe aim of this module is to increase your understanding of how trauma, particularly in early life, shapes mental health and substance use, and to build capacity to respond with trauma-informed knowledge, reflection, and care.
LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • describe the differences between PTSD and Complex PTSD and identify symptoms and causes
  • describe the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • understand how trauma affects the brain and nervous system, including concepts of homeostasis and survival mode
  • recognise common trauma adaptations and their links to substance use and mental health conditions
  • apply trauma-informed frameworks to understand the cycle of trauma, substance use, and mental health challenges
  • reflect on your role in supporting healing, even when trauma-specific therapy is not delivered
LENGTH60 minutes
CPDParticipation in this activity may contribute to CPD. A Statement of Completion will be issued on completion of this module. 
REFERENCE LISTThe full reference list for this module is available on request.
SUGGESTED CITATIONInsight: Centre for AOD Training and Workforce Development. Applying trauma-informed care in practice: The relationship between trauma, mental health, and AOD use. Brisbane: Queensland Health; 2025. Available from: https://insight.qld.edu.au/training/elearning
COPYRIGHT INFORMATIONThis resource is licensed under Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). This license requires that reusers give credit to the creator. It allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, even for commercial purposes.
LAST UPDATEDOctober 2025
REVIEW AND FEEDBACKAs part of our commitment to continuous quality improvement our eLearning modules undergo a minor review every 2 years, and a major review every 4 years. All evaluation responses are carefully considered during these reviews.  If you have significant or urgent feedback, we encourage you to email us directly at insight@health.qld.gov.au