Trauma and addiction are related to each other. It is common for people who go through trauma to seek help in drugs or alcohol to help them overcome the memories or feelings that hurt. But when people try to cope with the pain that they have because of the traumatic event, they use substances in order to lessen the pain and in the process get addicted to the substance. Learning how trauma influences addiction is one of the ways of healing, and this is what we will learn in this blog.
Let’s take a look at how trauma triggers addiction.
Contents
What is Trauma, and How Does it Impact the Brain?
Stress is a psychological reaction to a terrible or upsetting event that may result from occurrences such as molestation, bereavement, or physical assault. Injury to the brain is usually long-term in cases of trauma and usually affects the stress, memory, and emotional centers of the brain.
When a person suffers trauma, the reaction or mobilization system of the brain is triggered, with release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Gradually, sustained receptiveness to threatening cues and worry become encompassing, which puts some individuals in the lookout for a means of escape in substance.
Emotional Numbing and Self-Medication
Common symptoms which are manifested in the majority of persons who underwent a traumatic experience comprise anxiety, depression, or even detachment. In order to get rid of these emotions, using drugs or alcohol is a kind of “self-treatment.” Things can first give a feeling of tranquility, which makes people not so sensitive to their feelings. However, this relief only lasts for some hours and dependence to these substances always result in addiction thus the continuous, vicious cycle.
Trauma and the Addiction Cycle
Trauma and addiction have a relative pattern of feeding one another which is why they tend to work in cycles. Here’s how it typically unfolds:
- Experience of Trauma: Any kind of trauma, from the childhood and adolescence experiences, as well as the adult’s one ; can cause some emotional disturbance, an urge to find comfort or an escape.
- Turning to Substances for Relief: In an attempt to relieve themselves from the pain, patients will resort to the use of drugs or alcohol, although the pain will come back again.
- Dependence and Addiction: In the course of substance use, the body is gradually accustomed to the substance in a sense that it needs more of it to produce the same effect. This most often results in dependency and finally, addiction.
This cycle can be very hard to disrupt especially if the cause of the trauma has not been dealt with. Many people will require treatment for both the addiction and the trauma in order to detach themselves from the addiction.
The Role of PTSD and Other Disorders in Addiction
Trauma can sometimes result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is a condition that is made up of intense, intrusive memories, flashbacks, and emotional tension. People with PTSD are more likely to have an addiction, as they may use substances to reduce these painful symptoms. Other disorders including depression, anxiety, and trauma can also increase the likelihood of substance use, as individuals look for ways to manage their feelings.
Breaking the Cycle
Trauma and addiction are linked, but the knowledge of this link is the first step toward recovery. In other words, it can be possible to treat trauma and substance use disorder. The process usually starts with rebuilding the life of the person. But with the right tools and resources, including therapy and support, it is possible to discover better ways of dealing with it, break the habit and take back control.
