What is the Connection Between Childhood Trauma and Addiction?

Research now tells us that people who experienced traumatic events as a child are far more likely to have addiction problems as adults than people who did not have childhood trauma. But why is this?

In this blog, we explore why childhood trauma can cause addiction, and look at how you can address both childhood trauma and addiction. If you would like professional help for either of these issues, contact us today on +66 96 916 3287.

What is Childhood Trauma?

Childhood trauma stems from a wide range of experiences that overwhelm a child’s capacity to cope, leaving lasting psychological scars. Often, this trauma is overt: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, the loss of a parent of caregiver or witnessing violence.

But these events are not the trauma itself. Childhood trauma is what happens within a child, so although these events can be distressing, not all children become traumatized. The impact of trauma depends on factors like the child’s age, the severity and duration of the trauma, and the presence of a supportive environment. If a child has caregivers they can turn to support following one of these situations, the risk of them becoming traumatized is significantly reduced. 

Trauma experienced during childhood can have profound and lasting effects on mental health. It disrupts normal development, and can lead to a range of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral issues. Children who experience trauma often struggle with anxiety, depression, and difficulties in regulating their emotions. These issues can persist into adulthood, creating a fertile ground for the development of addictive behaviors.

The psychologist and trauma expert Gabor Maté believes that often it is not what happened to us when we were children, but what didn’t happen. If your parents were not able to attune with you as a child for whatever reason, this can create trauma in itself. There are many reasons why this may occur, and this scenario can play out even with parents who did their best to be supportive during your formative years.

How Childhood Trauma Influences Addiction

The link between childhood trauma and addiction is well-documented. People who experience trauma in their early years are at a higher risk of turning to substances or behaviors as a coping mechanism. Substance abuse, gambling, sex and other behaviors provide temporary relief from the pain, fear, and distress associated with traumatic memories and emotional flashbacks, which are a hallmark of CPTSD. This relief is short-lived and often leads to a cycle of dependence and addiction.

Research in neuroscience has provided valuable insights into the connection between childhood trauma and substance addiction. Trauma can alter brain chemistry and structure, affecting areas responsible for stress regulation, decision-making, and reward processing. These changes increase susceptibility to addiction by making people more prone to seek out substances that provide temporary relief from emotional pain. 

Trauma can also impair a person’s ability to form healthy relationships and develop trust, further isolating them and increasing their reliance on substances for comfort and solace. Coming out of addiction therefore involves reconnection, both with others and with ourselves.

Many people struggling with addiction may not initially recognize the connection between childhood trauma and addiction. Often, the pain and memories of trauma are buried deep within the subconscious, manifesting as addictive behaviors without an apparent cause.

At Yatra, we help people suffering from addiction dive into the often traumatic origins of their addiction. This work can be challenging, and it is common for people to feel worse before feeling better. But the end results are well worth it. These are the ability to disengage with addictive behaviors, with freedom from the adverse effects of childhood trauma.

When you have completed this work, you will have the ability to connect with yourself and with others at a much deeper level. This is one of the most valuable gifts this process offers.

The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are a range of traumatic experiences that a child may encounter. Research has shown a strong correlation between a high ACE score and an increased risk of addiction. People with higher ACE scores are significantly more likely to engage in substance abuse and suffer from related health issues. Research shows that people with four or more ACEs are 7 to 10 times higher than those with no ACEs.

ACEs can contribute to addiction through the disruption of attachment and relationship-building during critical developmental periods. Children who experience neglect, abuse, or household dysfunction often struggle with forming secure attachments with caregivers, which can lead to challenges in emotional regulation and self-esteem. These emotional challenges can cause difficulties with connection that can persist into adulthood, making these people more susceptible to using substances to cope with their feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.

Recovery From the Effects of Childhood Trauma and Substance Addiction

At Yatra Centre, we believe recovery from substance addiction involves more than just addressing the physical dependence on substances. It also requires healing the emotional wounds of childhood trauma. 

We use therapeutic approaches such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) to help our clients process and heal from their traumatic experiences. These therapies provide tools for understanding and managing the emotions and memories associated with trauma, reducing the reliance on substances for coping.

Strategies for Treating Addiction Rooted in Childhood Trauma

Effective addiction treatment should consider the role of childhood trauma. This involves a holistic approach that addresses both the addiction and the underlying trauma. Treatment strategies may include:

Trauma-Informed Care: This approach acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and incorporates an understanding of trauma into all aspects of addiction care. It emphasizes safety, trustworthiness, peer support, and empowerment.

Integrated Therapy: Combining addiction treatment with trauma-focused therapy is vital for long-term recovery from addiction to substances and behaviors. Techniques such as EMDR, IFS, and TF-CBT can help you process your trauma while working on your recovery.

Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Practices such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and other stress-reduction techniques can help you regulate your nervous system, reducing your risk of relapse.

Building Resilience: Fostering resilience through positive relationships, skill-building, and self-care empowers people to overcome the effects of trauma and achieve lasting recovery.

Trauma Healing in Thailand

Childhood trauma can leave us in a fragile state, long after the trauma has occurred. You may have been facing addiction problems for years without understanding the true cause of why you became addicted.

Fortunately, there are solutions to both childhood trauma and addiction. At Yatra Centre, we have found that the most effective way of treating these conditions is simultaneously. We use a holistic approach to treatment which we believe leads to the best long-term treatment outcomes.

Call us today on +66 96 916 3287 to speak with us about how we can help you overcome your problems with addiction and trauma.