What happens to you when you’re a child can have a dramatic impact on your life as an adult, specifically when it comes to trauma, mental health, and addiction. Statistics show that about two-thirds of those with a substance use disorder have experienced some childhood trauma.[1] Mental health problems can also arise from childhood trauma, with research showing that childhood trauma puts adults at a greater risk for developing issues such as depression.[2] Why does this happen, and what can be done to treat those dealing with addiction and mental health issues caused by childhood trauma? We’re going to explore the link between childhood trauma and addiction, as well as mental health issues, and share how the team at Ocean Hills Recovery can help.
The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction
When looking at childhood trauma and addiction, researchers look at adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and how people as they grow into adulthood. Research has shown that 60% to 80% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one type of adverse childhood experience when they were younger.[3]
These experiences include:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Physical neglect
- Emotional neglect
- Incarcerated household member
- Household substance abuse
- Household mental illness
- Parental separation or divorce
The impact these experiences can have on the brain is what can lead to addiction. The hippocampus and amygdala are impacted, affecting emotions, learning, and memory. It can also impact the ability to solve problems and think logically about situations.[4]
When the amygdala is chronically activated, it can also cause someone to be in constant fear and experience anxiety, which can lead to substance use disorders. The hippocampus is impacted by stress and other factors. Childhood trauma can lead to increased levels of cortisol in the body, which is the body’s stress hormone.[4] An increased level of stress can affect the hippocampus part of the brain.
Children who experience different traumas also have trouble adapting to reality. As they grow older and reach adulthood, they may look to substances to help them soothe their fears and cope with their emotions that were impacted by trauma. They may also turn to substances to deal with the stress that their trauma has caused.
Childhood Trauma and Mental Health
It’s believed that childhood trauma can not only put children more at risk for having an addiction but also at a greater risk of developing mental health issues. Childhood trauma can lead to a negative self-image, which can cause depression. Since depression is one of the leading causes of substance use, it comes as no surprise that this can lead to addiction as an adult.
Other mental health issues, such as anxiety, can lead to substance use as people turn to substances to help them calm their fears. Fear is abundant among childhood trauma survivors as they may still be afraid of their abuser or may constantly relive the events in their minds.
Treating Childhood Trauma and Addiction
People who have experienced childhood trauma turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to self-medicate and deal with the physical and emotional pain their childhood experiences have caused. However, the relief they feel is only temporary as they soon need more of the substance to achieve the same effect. This leads to an addiction that harms a person’s physical and mental health.
Treating childhood trauma and addiction is essential to help adults heal and lead productive lives. These are some methods that can be utilized:
Identify the Effects of Past Traumas
Before proper treatment is given, a person must identify their past traumas and their effects. This allows suitable types of therapies to be administered.
Family Therapy
Family therapy can be an important part of the healing process. This can allow the patient and family members to fully understand what has transpired that led to the trauma and addiction. It can open up the door to conversations that are critical for recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
For those having mental health issues as a result of their childhood trauma as well as a substance use disorder, dual diagnosis treatment can be beneficial. This treats mental health issues and substance use disorders simultaneously for the best results.
Connecting With Others
Finding support groups and connecting with others who have had similar experiences is vital to moving forward. Support groups are available for a variety of traumas and substance use disorders. They allow people to hear from others going through the same situations and share their experiences. This process can be highly therapeutic.
Self-Care
Self-care is an essential part of the healing process for those impacted by childhood trauma and addiction. When people care for themselves, they can better cope with their emotions. Practicing relaxation techniques, exercising, and eating a healthy diet are all important aspects of self-care.
Seek Help For Addiction at Ocean Hills Recovery
If you have experienced trauma and are dealing with a substance use disorder as a result, Ocean Hills Recovery is here to help. We get to know each patient to understand their addiction and help develop a plan specific to their needs. For those coping with trauma and a substance use disorder, we offer dual diagnosis treatment. With dual diagnosis treatment, patients can receive care for both issues simultaneously. Contact us today to learn more about the programs we provide at Ocean Hills Recovery.
Sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3051362/
[2] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2331205X.2019.1581447
[3] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24875-adverse-childhood-experiences-ace
[4] https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/12/28/how-trauma-affects-the-developing-child-into-adulthood/
About the author:
As CEO of Ocean Hills Recovery, Robert Leigh brings forth an immense passion for helping those suffering create change in their lives. With years of experience in the addiction treatment industry, Robert’s active role at Ocean Hills helps integrate his philosophy that addiction and recovery is a personalized journey, and addiction treatment should echo the same mission. Robert’s innovation in the addiction treatment industry has involved integrating exceptional and effective treatment to those that walk into the doors of Ocean Hills, creating a truly unique and individualized treatment program – ensuring that individuals have the foundation and tools they need to live successful lives long after treatment has been completed.
