Substance Use as a Result of Trauma 


Starting at Noon (EST) on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 
Register Today:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z-Y8myh4S86Mwzyjy1CABw
Summary:

What You’ll Gain: 

Join us for a powerful and practical session exploring how trauma often drives substance use—not as a moral failing, but as a survival strategy. This webinar is designed for social workers, counselors, victim service providers, and community professionals who want to deepen their understanding and response to
individuals navigating trauma and substance use. Learn to spot trauma-related behaviors, reduce stigma, and apply survivor-centered, traumainformed care in your role. Walk away with tools, strategies, and a renewed commitment to healing—not harm.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Recognize how trauma manifests in substance use
  2. Reframe substance use as a coping response to trauma
  3. Apply trauma-informed engagement strategies
  4. Strengthen cross-sector collaboration

Presenters:
Chelsea Falotico, Community Outreach Manager 
Ericka Thaxton, Medical Advocate


Presenter Bios:
Chelsea Falotico, Community Outreach Manager for the Victims' Intervention Program, will be our presenter. Chelsea has been in victim services for nearly ten years. Starting as a Case Manager at a domestic violence shelter in New Jersey, she quickly realized that this was more than just “work” for her. It became her passion. Now, as the Community Outreach Manager of VIP, she takes pride in educating the community about the complex issues survivors of crime and abuse must face every day.
 
We know the topic triggers so many of us, and we will provide a representative from the Victims' Intervention Program to support on the spot and answer questions as they occur.
Everyone will leave with resources that can be used to educate others and provide resources for support available at the national and state levels and directions on finding resources and support at the county level.
  
Ericka Thaxton, Medical Advocate
With a long history of working in both victim services and healthcare, Ericka has been able to see
firsthand what patients and medical providers experience when dealing with violent interpersonal
crime. She began her time with VIP in 2016 as a volunteer taking crisis calls after hours.
Ericka now serves as the Medical Advocate; she is dedicated to bridging the gap between victim services and healthcare providers throughout all of Wayne and Pike Counties by adopting a trauma-informed culture