Restoring the Body and Mind: Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment in Kansas

At Avalon, we take a comprehensive approach to trauma-informed addiction treatment in Kansas—combining evidence-based clinical care with body-based practices that aid detoxification, restore balance, and build long-term resilience.

Our newly renovated facility integrates not only clinical treatment and behavioral health support, but also cutting-edge wellness tools such as saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunge pools. These are not simply amenities—they’re intentional therapeutic interventions designed to support nervous system regulation, neurochemical balance, and trauma recovery.

We believe the future of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment must honor the body as a central player in healing—not just the mind.

Substance use severely disrupts the body’s internal systems. Individuals in early recovery often suffer from:

• Chronic stress and systemic inflammation

• Sleep disturbances and adrenal fatigue

• Impaired cardiovascular, hepatic, and immune function

• Neurotransmitter depletion—particularly dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine

Traditional treatment models often overlook the somatic restoration needed to reverse these effects. Avalon addresses this by combining trauma-informed care with body-based practices that aid detoxification, restore balance, and support resilience.

Sauna Therapy

Dry sauna use (170–200°F) increases core body temperature, triggering sweating and cardiovascular stimulation. This mimics the benefits of moderate exercise and supports systemic detoxification.

Research-based benefits include:

• Natural detoxification: Sweat can help eliminate heavy metals and toxicants from the body.

• Improved circulation: Sauna use increases blood flow and arterial flexibility.

• Stress regulation: Activates the parasympathetic nervous system and reduces cortisol levels.

• Sleep support: Evening sauna use improves slow-wave sleep quality.

For individuals in recovery—who often experience hyperarousal or fatigue—sauna therapy helps reset the stress response.

Cold Plunge Therapy

Cold plunge therapy involves immersion in water between 38–55°F. Though initially shocking, cold exposure creates dramatic physiological shifts—especially in brain chemistry.

Scientifically backed benefits include:

• Dopamine release: Cold water immersion can raise dopamine levels up to 250% above baseline.

• Mood enhancement: Linked to reduced symptoms of depression and improved motivation.

• Anti-inflammatory effects: Cold exposure reduces cytokines associated with inflammation and chronic disease.

• Resilience training: Builds stress tolerance and enhances autonomic nervous system flexibility.

This makes cold plunging especially useful in SUD recovery, where mood dysregulation and low motivation are common.

Cold exposure activates brown adipose tissue (BAT)—a special type of fat that burns energy to produce heat. BAT is rich in mitochondria, which convert fat into thermal energy in a process called non-shivering thermogenesis. This process:

• Increases metabolism

• Improves glucose regulation

• Boosts norepinephrine and dopamine—crucial neurotransmitters for recovery

For people healing from substance use, activating brown fat enhances both mood stability and metabolic function.

Steam Therapy

Unlike dry saunas, steam rooms (110–120°F at ~100% humidity) offer a softer heat experience that benefits respiratory health and emotional grounding.

Evidence-based advantages include:

• Respiratory support: Steam improves mucociliary clearance and lung function—especially helpful for clients recovering from smoking or opioid use.

• Lymphatic and skin detox: Enhances circulation and opens pores for skin-based elimination of toxins.

• Mindfulness and grounding: Encourages parasympathetic dominance, supporting emotional balance and trauma healing.

At Avalon, clients are introduced to a therapeutic sequence that trains the body in nervous system resilience:

1. Sauna to increase heart rate, circulation, and initiate detox.

2. Cold plunge to shock the system, activate brown fat, and boost dopamine.

3. Steam room to relax muscles, restore breath, and deepen relaxation.

This cycle not only supports physical detox and neurochemical balance—it teaches the rhythms of recovery: activation and release, stress and rest, tension and calm.

By integrating these body-based therapies into our residential treatment program, Avalon bridges clinical excellence with natural wisdom. Clients not only learn to live without substances—they reconnect with their own bodies, emotions, and aliveness.

In a world where treatment can feel sterile or disconnected, Avalon offers warmth, sensation, and safety. We believe this embodied approach is not a luxury—it is essential for lasting transformation.

Ready to Begin Your Recovery?

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, Avalon Wellness & Recovery Center is here to help. Our trauma-informed, residential treatment program offers evidence-based care in a safe, welcoming environment—designed for true healing of both body and mind.

Call our admissions team at +1 (785) 340-0300 to speak with someone who can walk you through your options—no pressure, just support.

Or contact us here to get answers, check availability, or take the first step toward recovery.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re here when you’re ready.