Addiction And Childhood Trauma (Discussion)

Addiction and Childhood Trauma
Have you ever wondered if your addiction stems from your childhood trauma?
There are several underlying causes of addiction. One of the leading causes of developing addiction later in adult life is childhood trauma. A study done on PTSD and substance use disorder found that 77 percent of those who were suffering had at least one childhood traumatic event.
To better understand the effects of trauma and how they lead to addiction, let’s take a closer look at the correlation between childhood adversary effects and addiction.

First, what is childhood trauma?
Its not an easy task to define trauma as Trauma differs from one individual to the next. Trauma is thought to result from an event or multiple events that an individual experiences as emotionally or physically harmful. These experiences have lasting effects on the wellbeing of the child into adulthood.

Common traumatic childhood experiences can include:
-neglect
-sexual,physical, and phycological abuse
-grief, loss of someone close
-witnessing domestic violence
-having a parent who used drugs or was mentally ill


As children, one of our fundamental psychological needs is attachment. We attach ourselves to our parents and look to them for almost all of our needs. As a child, your variety for attachment is limited to a small circle of people. Usually your parents, close relatives, and family friends. Stress and trauma can interrupt the development for attachment. The experience of childhood trauma has a detrimental effect on how individuals see the world and their place in it. Traumas that result from acts such as abuse and neglect create a negative self-image. Deep down, most people who have suffered childhood trauma don’t think that they amount to enough. They may also see the world around them as a hostile place. Childhood traumas can teach us that the places and situations we should associate as safe and comforting could be hostile. This frame of mind is a negative place to live hence why individuals who are the victims of childhood trauma will often seek to escape.

Some addictions that others seek to escape too are not limited too but include:

-substances
-sex
-gambling
-work
-food
-relationships
-social media
-self-harm

If you would like to read more on childhood trauma and addiction please click on the link below, to read the full article.
Childhood Trauma and Addiction: The Connection Explained | Safe & Sound Treatment (safesoundtreatment.com)

Discussion questions

Many people use drugs as a crutch to help them handle difficult emotions such as anger, depression, and anxiety. These emotions are challenging for everyone, and it can be hard to resist the temptation of an easy escape. What choices does a person have, other than drug use, when they are confronted with these painful emotions? What emotions might lead you to using drugs or alcohol? Magics answer: I have a choice to move forward in my life positive, use my support network, and help others and give back (service work). Some emotions' that may lead me back to drugs and alcohol may be Anger, irritation, Hurt, shame, and guilt.