Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) can deeply impact an individual’s ability to form healthy relationships and manage emotions, often leading to feelings of isolation and distress.
At The Raleigh House, we understand the unique challenges of RAD and offer compassionate, evidence-based treatment designed to foster trust, emotional growth, and meaningful connections.
Clients receive personalized care that addresses both the emotional and behavioral aspects of RAD in a supportive, healing environment. Our integrated approach empowers individuals to build secure relationships and rediscover a sense of safety and belonging.
To learn more, contact us directly or continue reading below.
What Is Reactive Attachment Disorder?
Reactive attachment disorder is an often under-reported, but deeply challenging condition that manifests during early development. It occurs when a child is unable to form a secure and loving bond with a primary caregiver, often due to neglect, abuse, or frequent changes in caregivers.
If left unmanaged, reactive attachment disorder can lead to significant mental health challenges and behavioral disorders later in life, including an increased risk of addiction behaviors.
Without the ability to form healthy attachments, individuals with reactive attachment disorder may turn to substances or behaviors to cope with their emotional pain and feelings of emptiness. This reliance on substances can create a dependency cycle and further complicate their ability to form meaningful relationships and lead a fulfilling life.
The Raleigh House provides a compassionate and comprehensive approach to treating co-occurring emotional traumas and substance use disorder. Understanding the deep psychological wounds that often accompany mental health challenges, The Raleigh House offers a supportive environment where clients can begin to heal.
Signs and Symptoms
Early symptoms of reactive attachment disorder in children include the following indications:
- Lack of responsiveness to others
- Difficulty in engaging in social interactions
- Disinclination to seek comfort when distressed.
If reactive attachment disorder is not addressed in childhood, the symptoms can persist and evolve into more complex issues in adulthood.
Adults with untreated reactive attachment disorder may struggle with a variety of basic interactions, including the following:
- Recognizing and appropriately responding to the emotions of others
- Demonstrating affection
- Receiving affection
- Managing anger
Adults with unaddressed reactive attachment disorder often face challenges in forming and maintaining healthy relationships, which can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness. Poor self-image, impulsive behaviors, and emotional detachment are also common.
Additionally, adults with untreated reactive attachment disorder may experience developmental delays, eating disorders, and significant difficulties in scholastic and professional settings.
Causes and Risk Factors
The circumstances that lead to reactive attachment disorder are primarily rooted in early childhood experiences, though there isn’t a definitive cause. The symptoms of reactive attachment disorder are primarily attributed to the following conditions:
- Neglect: Failure to meet a child’s basic needs for safety, security, and emotional support can lead to significant and often long-lasting developmental harm.
- Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse can cause children to become withdrawn and distrustful of others.
- Instability: Frequent changes in caregivers or living environments can create a sense of unpredictability and insecurity, further hindering the development of secure attachments.
- Trauma: Whether physical or emotional, trauma can overwhelm a child’s ability to cope, making it difficult for them to trust and connect with others.
Addiction And Reactive Attachment Disorder
The symptoms of reactive attachment disorder can contribute to behaviors that can lead to the development of substance use disorders.
People with the disorder may use substances to cope with feelings of emptiness, anxiety, or depression. The impulsivity and poor self-regulation associated with reactive attachment disorder can also increase the likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors, including substance abuse.
Over time, as people with unmanaged reactive attachment disorder become more isolated, their risk of self-medicating increases, as individuals may turn to substances for comfort and escape.
Diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder
Reactive attachment disorder is typically identified in childhood and is rarely diagnosed in adults, as it is traditionally considered a childhood disorder. However, its effects can persist into adulthood, presenting complex challenges in mental health and relationships.
The evolution of symptoms can lead to misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis in adults, as the symptoms may overlap with other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or personality disorders.
The highly trained clinicians at The Raleigh House recognize the signs of reactive attachment disorder and, unlike many other treatment centers, have the expertise to successfully diagnose and treat it using a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach. Our empathetic and comprehensive programs help clients receive the care and support they need to heal and improve their overall well-being.
How to Treat Reactive Attachment Disorder
At The Raleigh House, we take a comprehensive and personalized approach to treating reactive attachment disorder in adults. Our therapy programs are designed to help individuals process early attachment experiences, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build emotional resilience.
Our treatment approach includes evidence-based therapies such as:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Helps individuals process and heal from traumatic attachment experiences.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) – Addresses negative thought patterns related to early attachment wounds.
- Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) – Supports the release of stored trauma and stress from the body.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps individuals identify and reframe negative thought patterns to improve emotional regulation and coping strategies.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Focuses on distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to foster healthier relationships.
By integrating these therapies into a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach, our team helps individuals address both the core causes of RAD and the challenges that can develop over time
Personalized RAD Treatment in Colorado
The Raleigh House offers a holistic and compassionate approach to treating co-occurring reactive attachment disorder and substance use disorder.
By combining effective psychiatric interventions with a focus on building strong support networks, The Raleigh House helps clients heal from their traumas and build a foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling future.
Find hope at our two locations:
- The Ranch at The Raleigh House: Tucked away in the serene Colorado countryside, The Ranch provides a tranquil haven for those seeking to heal from trauma, mental health challenges, and addiction. Nature-inspired therapies and a loving, supportive community make it the perfect place to find peace and embark on a recovery journey.
- The Center for Integrative Behavioral Health: In the Denver Tech Center, our newest facility delivers unparalleled clinical excellence and transformative healing experiences for trauma, mental health, and addiction. It is also an exceptional setting for those requiring physical accessibility support, offering a beautiful and nurturing environment where everyone can flourish and heal.
Please contact us today or call our admission specialists at 720.891.4657 to begin RAD treatment sooner.
