Addiction has various root causes. Childhood trauma is one of the leading causes of addiction later in life. As per the National Institute of Health (NIH), 77 percent of people treated for drug use disorder and PTSD had at least one childhood trauma.
Without a doubt, early traumas and addiction are linked. Several research papers support the relationship between traumatic childhood events and addictive behavior in adulthood.
Keep reading to learn more about the connection between trauma and addiction and how to get treatment.
Key Takeaways
Addiction is a complex disease that involves compulsive drug use despite its harmful effects. Trauma can contribute to the development of addiction because people may self-medicate with drugs or alcohol to cope with the emotional pain caused by the traumatic experience.
- Childhood trauma is one of the main causes of addiction later in life, as per the National Institute of Health (NIH).
- Early childhood trauma can have an impact on a child’s development.
- Trauma can impair their capacity to form stable attachments.
- Exposure to trauma has been shown to directly influence five areas of the limbic system.
- Many treatment options, like group therapy, CBT, inpatient rehab, etc., are available to treat trauma and addiction.
If you or anyone you love is suffering from any kind of trauma and addiction, get help at Indiana Center for Recovery. Our skilled staff is available to help you safely get on the road to a sober life. Call us at (844) 650-0064 today.
Defining Trauma
Trauma is a deeply disturbing experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It can result from physical or emotional harm, like child abuse, neglect, accidents, natural disasters, or witnessing violence.
Trauma can have long-lasting effects on mental and physical health. It also increases the risk of developing an addiction. Early childhood trauma can be very detrimental. A kid’s brain grows and develops swiftly, especially during the first three years of life.
Kids rely heavily on caretakers for care, nurturing, and safety. This makes young children particularly sensitive to trauma.
Early childhood trauma can have an impact on a child’s development. It can also impair their capacity to form stable attachments, especially if their trauma happens with a carer.
As per the National Institute of Mental Health (USA), childhood trauma is when a child experiences an event that is emotionally unpleasant or distressing, resulting in long-term mental and physical damage.
Childhood trauma can arise when a kid has negative childhood experiences. A child’s early experiences may be overwhelming.
Abuse, assault, neglect, exploitation, or bullying can all occur in partnerships. This is referred to as interpersonal trauma or trauma that occurs between people.
Traumatic situations can also happen to kids, for example:
- Accidents
- Natural catastrophes
- War and civil unrest
- Medical treatment
- The unexpected loss of a parent or carer due to death, divorce, forced adoption, or separation
How Trauma Affects the Brain
Childhood trauma has negative impacts on the brain as well as physiological reactions throughout the body. The limbic system is a group of structures in the brain’s core in charge of our emotional life and higher mental activities.
Exposure to trauma has been shown to influence five areas of the limbic system directly. Those five areas are as follows:
The Amygdala
The amygdala is in charge of recognizing dangers and triggering the right reactions to frightening inputs. It is also in charge of giving meaning to our feelings and forming correlations between experiences and emotions.
Individuals who have faced childhood trauma show amygdala sensitivity. It’s also hard to quiet the amygdala after exposure to prospective hazards.
Childhood trauma survivors may react with a fight or flight response to events that remind them of their abuse. That may include everything from accompanying odors to associated noises.
The Hippocampus
The hippocampus is the learning center of the brain. It controls how a person learns new information and develops memories. It is also very sensitive to stimuli, especially stress.
People who have undergone childhood abuse have a hippocampus 12 percent smaller than those who have not.
This effect on the hippocampus can lead to many problems later in life. For starters, the person is more prone to flashbacks and difficulty recalling memories.
It also has an impact on how kids learn new information. Learning that people can be trusted may be tougher. It may be hard to overcome the memories of a traumatic childhood.
The Thalamus
The thalamus functions in the brain as a relay station. Sensory information is transferred to the thalamus. It processes it before sending the crucial information to the area of the brain linked with the proper function.
If you detect a threat, your thalamus will alert subconscious sections of your brain before you become aware of it.
Childhood trauma-related connections affect how the thalamus responds to stimuli. Hence, victims of trauma often have quick reactions to stimuli linked with the source of their trauma. Smells and noises are examples of this.
The Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is in charge of regulating several bodily activities. Childhood trauma is likely to enhance hypothalamic activity. Hence, kids are in a perpetual state of tension. Moreover, they tend to identify one of two extremes in many activities.
Victims of childhood abuse may have increased or decreased sex drives. Their emotional reactions may seem intense or non-existent.
The Nucleus Accumbens
The nucleus accumbens is a crucial component of the brain’s reward system. When people do something they love, like eating good food or achieving something, their reward system is activated.
Survivors of childhood trauma frequently resort to substances or habits to help them cope with their cases. This often materializes as drug abuse or self-harm. This type of conduct interferes with the brain’s reward system.
Link Between Trauma and Addiction
Addiction is a complex disease that involves compulsive drug use despite harmful effects. Many factors, like genetic, environmental, and psychological factors, can trigger it. Trauma is one such factor that can contribute to the development of addiction.
Trauma and addiction are linked because drug use can be a way to handle the emotional pain caused by the traumatic incident. For instance, a person who has faced sexual abuse may turn to drugs.
With the help of the drug, they try to numb the emotional pain and escape past memories. However, this can lead to a cycle of addiction, as drug use can further damage the brain and increase the risk of addiction.
Moreover, trauma can also change the brain’s reward system, which makes it more susceptible to addiction. Studies have shown that trauma can cause changes in the brain regions responsible for reward, motivation, and stress responses, making a person more vulnerable to addiction.
This can also explain why people who have faced trauma may have a higher risk of developing an addiction than those who have not.
Also, people who have faced trauma may have co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety, which can increase the risk of addiction. These mental health issues can lead to self-medication with drugs to ease signs, leading to addiction.
Furthermore, trauma and addiction can be linked in many ways. For instance, addiction can increase the risk of experiencing trauma, as people may engage in risky behaviors while under the influence of drugs, leading to accidents or violence.
Trauma can also increase the risk of relapse in people recovering from addiction, as traumatic events can trigger the urge to use drugs.
Lastly, trauma and addiction are linked. People who have faced trauma may have a higher risk of developing an addiction. Addressing trauma in addiction treatment is crucial to prevent relapse and promote lasting recovery.
Therapies can help people effectively address the root causes of addiction and deal with trauma-related signs.
Treatment Plans for Trauma and Addiction
Treatment plans for trauma and addiction typically involve a combination of evidence-based therapies and supportive care tailored to meet the needs of every person. Following are some of the most used treatment plans for trauma and addiction.
Trauma-Focused Therapies
Trauma-focused therapies are designed to help people process and cope with the emotional distress linked with traumatic experiences.
One of the most used trauma-focused therapies includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
These therapies can help people address negative thoughts and emotions related to the trauma, develop coping strategies, and promote a sense of safety and control.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance abuse treatment is an essential component of any treatment plan for addiction. When people are diagnosed with substance use disorder, they need medical treatment.
Based on the severity of the addiction, people may need detox, medication-assisted treatment, or residential treatment. Detox is the process of safely removing drugs or alcohol from the body, while medication-assisted treatment involves using drugs to manage withdrawal signs and reduce cravings.
Inpatient rehab involves staying at a facility. The stay typically ranges from 30-90 days to get intensive therapy and support.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment is a specialized form of treatment. It is designed to address both trauma and addiction at the same time. Many people who struggle with addiction also have a history of trauma, and addressing both issues is essential for lasting recovery.
It typically involves a combination of trauma-focused therapies, substance abuse treatment, and psychiatric care to help people address the root causes of their addiction and develop healthy coping strategies.
Holistic Therapies
Holistic therapies, like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, can also benefit people who have experienced trauma and addiction. These therapies can help people reduce stress, develop a greater sense of self-awareness, and promote a sense of overall well-being.
Aftercare Support
Aftercare support is crucial for people who have completed a treatment program for trauma and addiction. This may include ongoing therapy, joining support groups, and regular check-ins with a doctor.
Aftercare support can also help to maintain sobriety, cope with triggers, and address ongoing mental health issues.
Lastly, treatment plans for trauma and addiction can be complex and multifaceted. It is vital to seek out a qualified healthcare provider who can help develop a treatment plan that is tailored to meet your needs and offer ongoing support throughout the recovery process. People can gain lasting recovery with the right treatment and support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does trauma lead to addiction?
Trauma can lead to addiction in various ways. For example, exposure to trauma can cause people to develop a predisposition to addiction. Additionally, chronic trauma can lead to changes in the brain that make it easier for people to become addicted to drugs.
Also, a traumatic experience can create intense fear, guilt, and sadness. All of these emotions can lead people to seek out addictive substances in an attempt to ease their pain.
What percentage of addicts have a history of trauma?
Research suggests that a significant percentage of people who struggle with addiction have a history of trauma.
As per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about two-thirds of people receiving addiction treatment have faced some form of trauma in their lives, like sexual or physical assault, neglect, childhood abuse, or the sudden death of a loved one.
Trauma can lead to various mental health problems, like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can increase the risk of drug abuse as a coping mechanism. Addressing trauma and its root causes can be an important aspect of addiction treatment and long-term recovery.
Is there a connection between trauma and addiction?
There is a strong connection between trauma and addiction. Traumatic events like physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse can lead to many emotional and behavioral issues, like substance abuse and addiction.
People who experience trauma are more likely to develop an addiction to drugs as a way of coping with their emotional pain. Addiction can also be a way of self-medicating to numb the pain or escape from the traumatic memories.
People who have experienced trauma should seek treatment for both their trauma and addiction to improve their quality of life and reduce their risk of relapse.
Can emotional trauma induce drug abuse and addiction?
Yes, emotional trauma can induce drug abuse and addiction. Trauma is a highly disturbing experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope, and it can have long-lasting effects on mental and physical health.
Childhood trauma, in particular, has been shown to increase the risk of developing an addiction later in life.
Drug use can become a way to cope with the emotional pain caused by the traumatic experience. For example, a person who has experienced sexual abuse may turn to drugs to ease the pain. It is crucial to address the underlying trauma to treat addiction effectively.
What is the Link Between Trauma and Addiction?
Trauma is a significant risk factor for the development of addiction. Trauma can include experiences like abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. When a person faces trauma, it can cause them to feel overwhelmed and unable to cope, leading them to turn to drugs to self-medicate and ease the pain.
Addiction can also be a way for people to try to regain a sense of control or cope with feelings of powerlessness.
Over time, the repeated use of drugs can lead to changes in the brain’s reward system, making it more difficult for people to quit using and increasing the risk of addiction.
Addiction Care at Indiana Center for Recovery
When addiction co-occurs with childhood trauma, taking the first step toward recovery can be intimidating. Don’t worry. We provide comprehensive treatment plans at Indiana Center for Recovery. We offer therapies to help people in healing from trauma and beat addiction.
Our inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation include multiple activities to help you recover. We also offer many addiction treatments like an opioid, meth, cocaine, and more.
If you want to live a sober life, call (844) 650-0064.