Trauma, as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is “an event, series of events or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional or spiritual well-being.” Trauma and addiction often go hand in hand.
Two people may experience and be affected by the same traumatic event differently. This can be clear in their behaviors and the mental health symptoms that trigger these behaviors in the aftermath of the event. In the following sections, we’ll explore the relationship between trauma and substance addiction and how trauma is often one of the causes of addiction.
Is There a Link Between Trauma and Addiction?
There’s a definite connection between trauma and addiction. Many studies show a strong association between trauma and substance abuse disorders. Children and teens who experience or see traumatic events are at increased risk of abusing drugs and alcohol. Traumatic experiences such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse leave children vulnerable to substance use disorders and mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Reports suggest 50% of individuals who suffer from substance use disorders experienced past trauma. These experiences cause unresolved stress that can become a powerful trigger for the individual to use drugs and alcohol. It’s not uncommon for individuals to self-medicate painful emotions rooted in their past traumatic experiences.
How Trauma Affects the Brain
When someone experiences a traumatic event, their brain behavior changes. The amygdala, which processes emotions, overreacts, causing the person to have an exaggerated response to triggers that remind them of their trauma. The event affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain, and people with unresolved trauma have difficulty thinking logically or rationally when stressed. Their memory is affected, and they may suffer from flashbacks and disturbing dreams.
Ongoing trauma exaggerates these effects. The symptoms cause distress, and sufferers find it difficult to control their emotions. They’re easily upset, startled or frightened. These feelings are so powerful that they inhibit emotions and make it hard to interact with other people.
Addicts and Abuse: How Trauma Drives Addiction
The numbers don’t lie. According to an article in Scientific American, 85% of individuals suffering from addiction had at least one adverse childhood experience. It further states that trauma is commonly prevalent among people struggling with addiction. The CDC notes that ACEs are common among adolescents. The article states that three-quarters of all students experience at least one ACE, while 18.5% of all adolescents experience four or more such incidents. The National Governors Association reports that substance use disorders are strongly related to trauma, childhood adversity and stress. Almost half of all people with PTSD also have a substance use disorder.
Types of Trauma Linked to Addiction
A considerable number of addicts are victims of adverse childhood experiences. According to research, people with a history of ACEs are 4.3 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder as adults. The NIH reports that as many as half of all people with a substance use disorder were victims of physical or sexual abuse. People with PTSD are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate their conditions. Related research shows that around 30% of veterans with PTSD struggle with alcohol abuse disorder.
Signs of Trauma-Driven Addiction
It’s not easy to recognize trauma-related addiction, although signs include:
- Using drugs to hide or control emotions. People with untreated trauma use drugs and alcohol to distract them from their anxiety, fear and other trauma-related symptoms.
- Avoidance behavior. Where possible, they avoid places or situations that remind them of their trauma and suppress their feelings of fear and anxiety by taking drugs or alcohol.
- Concurrent mental health issues. People with trauma-related addiction often display symptoms of other mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD and PTSD.
- Emotional numbness. Survivors of trauma may feel numb and unable to relate unless they take drugs or alcohol.
Is Trauma Always the Root Cause of Addiction?
No, trauma isn’t always the root cause, but it’s often the main contributing factor for people with a drug or alcohol addiction. There are other factors to consider. For example, living with a parent who abuses drugs or alcohol can heighten someone’s risk for developing a substance abuse problem. Seeing a parent trying to deal with job or relationship stress by drinking or drugging can persuade an impressionable child that this is a valid coping strategy. These unhealthy coping strategies are a contributing factor to the development of childhood trauma and addiction.
Why Does Addiction Feel Like It Medicates Trauma?
There’s no denying that drugs and alcohol offer temporary relief from traumatic emotions and stress. The escape these substances provide is real. Unfortunately, addictive substances only worsen the problem, creating more stress. Drug and alcohol addiction will cause mental and physical health to deteriorate, which makes the term “medicate” an ironic one. The relief these substances provide is short-lived and only a mask for the unpleasantness that stems from past trauma. With therapy, people can develop healthy ways to contend with their traumatic past, working through negative emotions and learning effective ways to manage their overwhelming stress.
How Do Drugs Make Trauma (Including PTSD) Worse?
Someone who’s suffering from mental health symptoms associated with past trauma can make their situation much worse by using illicit drugs or abusing prescription drugs. Unfortunately, drugs only mask the problem and its symptoms for a short while. This short-term relief comes with an incredibly high price tag that includes the risk of addiction, dependence and overdose. Consequential problems from substance abuse include unemployment, financial and legal problems and an increased risk of developing further mental health and physical health problems.
Turning to drugs and alcohol to quell a mental health condition is like pouring gasoline on a fire — it’s precisely the last thing a person should do, making things worse instead of better. Instead of just one serious condition to deal with (their mental health condition), they’ll have a second as well — a substance use disorder.
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis is the term used when a substance use disorder co-occurs with PTSD or another mental health disorder. Dual diagnoses are relatively common. In 2023, the SAMHSA National Survey of Drug Use and Health found that 20.4 million Americans had a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder.
For those affected, integrated treatment that addresses the roots and symptoms of both conditions at the same time is critical to healing and recovery.
Importance of Seeking Help That Addresses Both Trauma and Addiction
As many as half of all people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol also have a dual diagnosis of a mental health disorder. Trauma is a major trigger for drug and alcohol abuse and, as such, must be managed successfully to manage the addiction. Treatment that provides trauma-informed therapy offers clients the support they need to manage the distress caused by past trauma. As they learn to cope with their trauma, they find it easier to recover from their addiction and stay off drugs and alcohol.
Choosing a Dual-Diagnosis Recovery Program With FHE Health
If you started using drugs or alcohol to cope with unpleasant memories and symptoms of trauma, you need to deal with the underlying issues before you can get better. At FHE Health, we understand this. Our dual-diagnosis recovery program offers individualized care that addresses your mental health issues at the same time it helps you detox. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get better.
