Why Addiction Sufferers Often Have a History of Trauma

Traumatic events can shape an individual. Irrespective of whether the trauma was experienced in childhood or during adulthood, unpleasant situations can easily alter how people perceive the world around them and how they view themselves. Furthermore, it is not surprising to find that an individual who experienced a traumatic event is now struggling with drug and substance abuse. Trauma usually results in drug and alcohol addiction because people often engage in these habits as a means to cope with the situations they are facing.

Impact of Trauma

Traumatic experiences usually manifest in different forms. These can include experiences such as one’s struggle with sexual abuse, the death of a loved one, physical attacks such as violent robbery, and natural calamities, among other negative experiences. Undergoing any one of these situations can leave you with emotional scars that can be difficult to heal. Furthermore, trauma such as those emanating from sexual abuse especially from people you know can disrupt your sense of safety and control, leaving you without any option but to abuse drugs and other substances.

Maladaptive Coping Mechanism

Trauma has always been linked to a maladaptive coping mechanism that helps in alleviating the unbearable psychological distress that people have based on the experiences they have endured. That is the reason why people turn to addictive behaviors to find temporary relief from the distressing episodes they are experiencing. What one may not know is that the use of drugs and substances can present a false sense of relief to the extent one begins to continuously abuse drugs so they can escape from the trauma they have.

PTSD and other Disorders

A direct outcome of a traumatic experience is post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) which affects the emotional well-being of an individual. Furthermore, trauma can significantly affect a person’s mental health, resulting in anxiety and depression. These conditions can be detrimental to one’s ability to regulate their emotion to the extent they are unable to cope with their situation. Such an outcome pushes one into addictive behaviors.

Seeking Help

Knowing the association between trauma and addiction can be instrumental in formulating a recovery plan. Seeking assistance from specialists and professionals dealing with problems of addiction can also help you to get on your feet and live a life free of drugs. Among the therapeutic processes that may be useful for your recovery include cognitive-behavior therapy, therapy-focused trauma, and mindfulness practices. These approaches can go a long way in helping you to create effective coping mechanisms and minimize overdependence on drugs and substances.

Final Word

The connection between addiction and trauma is an intricate linkage. Experiences that create trauma in an individual’s life usually affect their emotional and mental well-being. The outcome of this is often the development of maladaptive mechanisms for coping with traumatic situations, leading to drug and substance abuse. For that reason, understanding trauma, and identifying processes for addressing it, can prevent addiction and where possible, assist with the treatment and recovery processes. When important treatment and management plans are in place, one can embark on an addiction-healing journey.