Understanding The Link Between Trauma And Addiction

A person may experience trauma after living through or witnessing a frightening, distressing, or stressful event or series of events. Experiencing a traumatic event(s) can impact a person psychologically and may affect their overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Individuals who have lived through trauma may be more likely to experience substance use disorders as a result of an attempt to self-medicate trauma-related symptoms. Here, we’ll take a look at trauma, addiction, and the link between the two as well as prevention and treatment strategies.

Understanding trauma

Trauma is an emotional response to witnessing or experiencing a disturbing, typically life-threatening event(s), and the effects of trauma may impact a person’s physical and mental health in various ways for years to come—particularly if left unaddressed and untreated. Different types of traumatic experiences may affect a person in different ways. Three types of trauma include: 

• Acute trauma. Acute trauma refers to trauma from a single distressing event, such as a serious accident, natural disaster, or violent physical or sexual assault. These types of major traumatic events can cause immediate and intense reactions like shock, fear, and confusion.
• Chronic trauma. Chronic trauma may stem from prolonged or repeated exposure to highly stressful events, such as ongoing domestic violence, chronic illness, poverty, or repeated bullying. The continuous nature of these events can lead to more ingrained personal and emotional responses. 
• Complex trauma. Complex trauma can result from exposure to a variety of trauma types with different intensities over a long period. Childhood trauma as a result of child abuse or adverse childhood experiences such as neglect or exploitation may be considered complex trauma. 

Regardless of the type, trauma has the potential to cause mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder, and others. While these conditions are serious and can significantly impact daily life, treatment options like therapy combined with medication and lifestyle changes can often help a person manage symptoms and reduce the effects of traumatic stress. 

Understanding addiction

Generally speaking, addictions can be divided into two categories: substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. A substance use disorder involves using or misusing a substance such as alcohol, prescription medication, or illegal substances to the point where it can be challenging to function in everyday life. Note that the terms “substance abuse,” “drug abuse,” and “alcohol abuse” are no longer used or recognized by most professional organizations or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and are now collectively referred to as “substance use disorders” instead. 

Behavioral addictions, or impulse control disorders, may include an addiction to behaviors that produce a chemical and physical reaction in the body by increasing dopamine and pleasure. These behaviors can include things like compulsive gambling, sex, shopping, and internet use. For a person living with a behavioral addiction, partaking in these behaviors often can impede the completion of daily tasks and may make it challenging to function. 

Several factors may contribute to the development of an addiction, and not everyone who uses substances or partakes in potentially addictive behaviors will become dependent. Some of these factors include having a genetic predisposition to addiction or possessing certain personality traits such as high levels of impulsivity. Additionally, environmental factors such as the presence of unaddressed trauma may play a role in developing an addiction.   

The connection between trauma and addiction

For example, a person may experience PTSD symptoms or high levels of anxiety or stress as a result of having experienced trauma, which can make it challenging to perform daily tasks. This person may find that by consuming alcohol or another substance, their symptoms go away or lessen temporarily. Over time, however, this pattern of self-medicating can lead to addiction and a dependency on the substance or behavior at increasing levels to get through the day. 

In addition to self-medication, severe trauma may also change the brain’s chemistry and hormone regulation. This can change the way that rewards and motivation are processed, which can impact how a person manages cravings and desires. Studies suggest that individuals who experience trauma may find it more challenging to manage impulsivity and emotional regulation, which are both factors in developing a substance use disorder or addiction.  

The potential effects of trauma and addiction

Trauma and addiction can both have a major impact on an individual’s life. Either or both can contribute to significant challenges in the following areas:

• Physical health. Depending on the substance used or the nature of the behavior, trauma-related addictions may impact various aspects of a person’s physical health, including cardiovascular health, brain health, and immune system function. Some may even put a person at risk of overdose and/or death.
• Mental health. Addictions may exacerbate current mental health disorders or lead to the development of new conditions. Rates of depression, anxiety, and stress are also typically higher for individuals who are living with addiction.
• Social and interpersonal effects. Maintaining strong relationships can be challenging for a person living with addiction due to trauma, as their condition may cause them to find a greater reward in fulfilling their addiction than they find in developing a relationship. 
• Daily functioning. Addictions may also lead to negative effects on daily functioning, such as the loss of a job, poor personal hygiene, and untreated health concerns. 

Prevention strategies

Preventing addiction related to trauma can start with early identification of warning signs and further education on this topic. Learning what trauma is and how it can impact your life may be a good place to start. A person who has experienced trauma is also likely to benefit from working with a mental health professional for support in order to prevent their experiences from developing into diagnosable disorders. It may be beneficial to join a support group for trauma survivors as well, so you can hear strategies that have worked for other people in similar situations.  

For people who have experienced trauma, it may also be important to develop resilience and coping skills to manage and regulate emotions. Some techniques that may help include practicing mindfulness and engaging in self-reflection to identify and change negative thought patterns. While it may be possible to develop these skills on your own, it’s typically beneficial to connect with a therapist to help manage and/or prevent trauma-related symptoms.   

Treatment approaches

Treating addiction due to trauma can be complex and multifaceted. It usually starts with therapy, and depending on the type and severity of the addiction, a doctor or psychiatrist may also recommend medication to reduce a person’s physical dependency on the substance. During this period, it’s usually important to work with your doctor closely to monitor and manage any withdrawal symptoms or side effects. 

In addition to medication, it may also be important to engage in therapy to address the original trauma(s). One common type of therapy that may be used for treating both addiction and trauma is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. During a session of CBT, a therapist may help you identify negative or maladaptive thought patterns and reframe them in a way that is more productive. 

For individuals who have experienced trauma and/or are living with addiction, making it to an in-person therapy session regularly can be challenging. With online therapy, you can attend sessions remotely from the comfort of your own home instead. While it’s not right for every person in every situation—such as those who may need medical support during withdrawals or who may benefit from inpatient care—research suggests that online cognitive behavioral therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy in many cases.