How Trauma and Substance Abuse Fuel Each Other in a Vicious Cycle

Trauma and substance abuse often go hand in hand. People with trauma regularly turn to drugs and alcohol to escape the pain they are feeling. These people then become hooked on these substances, and their pain worsens.

And tragically, people with substance addiction are more at risk of experiencing more trauma through their addiction. In this blog, we explore how this unfortunate cycle occurs, and how you can get help if you have trauma and substance abuse problems.

For more information on our trauma treatment center in Krabi, Thailand, speak with us today on +66 96 916 3287.

The Connection Between Trauma and Substance Abuse

When you experience trauma, it can completely change your world. Tasks that previously you could have completed effortlessly become challenging or impossible, you can become triggered at the drop of a hat, and life can become sucked of all enjoyment.

It is easy to see, given a scenario like this, why people with trauma often turn to substances to numb the pain they are experiencing. Unfortunately, trauma can change the brain in a way that means casual substance use often turns to substance abuse and dependency for those living with trauma.

According to studies, about 30% of people with PTSD also have a substance use disorder. How likely someone is to turn to substances following trauma depends on severity and duration of the trauma.

Chronic trauma is more likely to lead to substance abuse than a one-time traumatic event. The type of trauma also matters — those who experience sexual trauma or intimate partner violence are at a higher risk of developing substance abuse issues compared to those who experience less severe forms of trauma.

Childhood Trauma and Substance Abuse

Childhood trauma greatly impacts both the risk of developing trauma and substance abuse problems in later life. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, can deeply affect the developing brain, wiring it in a way that increases vulnerability to mental health and addiction issues later on. 

Trauma during critical stages of brain development can alter the stress-response system, particularly the HPA axis, which regulates the body’s response to stress. This dysregulation can lead to heightened stress sensitivity, making it more difficult for the person to manage future stressors. The brain becomes more prone to hyperarousal and emotional dysregulation, which can manifest as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 

The changes in brain structure and function may also make the person more likely to turn to substances as a form of self-medication to cope with overwhelming emotions or to numb trauma-related memories. This early disruption in brain wiring not only increases the likelihood of developing trauma-related disorders, such as PTSD, but also sets the stage for substance abuse, as traumatized people may struggle to regulate emotions and behaviors in the face of unhealed wounds from their past.

Substance Abuse and Trauma

People who develop substance abuse problems are also at greater risk of experiencing further trauma. About 40% of people with substance use disorders report new traumatic experiences occurring during active addiction. These include physical harm, neglect, or experiences of being manipulated or exploited.

Those with addiction problems also run greater risk of becoming homeless, which also heightens the probability of encountering more trauma.

How to Treat Substance Abuse and Trauma

Treating both substance abuse and trauma requires a comprehensive, integrated approach. People struggling with both face a cycle where untreated trauma leads to substance use, and substance use can lead to further trauma. Breaking this cycle requires treating both trauma and substance at at the same time, offering people with co-occurring disorders a path to healing and equipping them with the tools to manage stress, emotions, and life’s challenges without resorting to substances.

Create a Safe and Supportive Environment

The foundation of effective treatment begins with creating a safe, supportive environment where people with trauma feel understood and respected. A trauma-informed approach is critical, meaning that therapy should recognize the impact of trauma, ensure that people feel empowered in their healing process, and avoid retraumatizing them. 

It’s essential that people who are starting recovery feel comfortable addressing their trauma without the fear of judgment. Establishing trust and a strong therapeutic relationship is key to helping people open up and begin the healing process.

Simultaneous Treatment for Trauma and Addiction

Since trauma and substance abuse often go hand-in-hand, it’s important to treat both issues at the same time. Focusing only on the addiction or only on the trauma typically doesn’t lead to lasting change, as one problem can continue to fuel the other. 

Integrated treatment allows for a holistic approach where both substance use and trauma are addressed together, helping people with these two conditions break the cycle. This combined focus ensures that as people work to heal from their addiction, they’re also processing the deeper issues that may have led to substance use in the first place.

Understanding and Managing Emotions

Drugs and alcohol can be a way for people with substance abuse problems to escape painful emotions or avoid traumatic memories. Treating trauma involves teaching people to understand and manage their emotions in healthier ways. This requires helping people recognize their triggers and teaching them how to cope with overwhelming feelings without turning to substances. 

As people begin to understand the root causes of their pain, they can develop healthier ways of responding to emotional distress, reducing the need for substances to fill the emotional void.

Building Emotional Resilience

A major component of healing from substance abuse and trauma  is building emotional resilience. Trauma can leave people feeling vulnerable, and addiction can further erode their sense of control. By fostering resilience, individuals can become more capable of handling stress, setbacks, and difficult emotions in healthier ways. This might include learning problem-solving skills, developing better self-care practices, and increasing emotional awareness. Over time, people with co-occurring disorders can start to regain a sense of control over their lives, reducing the urge to rely on substances as a means of coping.

Empowering People to Take Control of Their Recovery

Empowerment plays a crucial role in recovery from both trauma and substance abuse. Treatment should help individuals feel that they have the power to take control of their own healing and their lives. This includes giving people a voice in their treatment plan, helping them set achievable goals, and supporting them as they gain the confidence to make decisions that support their long-term recovery. As people reclaim their agency, they are less likely to rely on substances or unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Providing Ongoing Support and Connection

The journey to recovery doesn’t end when treatment does. Ongoing support is essential in helping people maintain progress and navigate the challenges that arise. Support groups, peer connections, and continued therapy provide people with a sense of community and belonging, which is especially important for those who have experienced isolation or alienation due to their trauma or substance use. Continued support reinforces the idea that recovery is possible, and that trauma and substance abuse sufferers don’t have to face their struggles alone.

At Yatra Centre, we offer our clients an aftercare program which will allow them to continue receiving therapy after they leave our centre. We allows clients the crucial support that can be so important when transitioning out of inpatient trauma treatment.

Fostering Healthy Coping Strategies

A critical part of recovery is learning how to develop healthy coping mechanisms to replace the reliance on substances. People often turn to drugs or alcohol because they don’t know how to handle stress, pain, or difficult emotions. By focusing on healthier coping strategies such as communication skills, stress management techniques, and healthy lifestyle changes, individuals can learn how to navigate life’s challenges without the need for substances. This process is vital in breaking the cycle of substance use and building a solid foundation for lasting recovery.

Break Free from the Cycle of Trauma and Addiction

If you or a loved one is struggling with trauma and substance abuse, Yatra Centre is here to help. We specialize in trauma-informed care for people seeking to heal from deep-rooted emotional wounds and addiction. Our expert team provides a safe, supportive environment for those ready to commit to lasting recovery.

While we treat trauma-related addiction, we are not a medical detox facility and do not provide inpatient treatment for severe substance withdrawal. However, if you’ve already completed detox and are ready to heal the underlying causes of addiction, we’re here to support you.

Call +66 96 916 3287 today or visit our website to take the first step toward a healthier, more empowered future.