Introduction:
According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is defined as an emotional response to a dreadful or horrific event like an accident, a natural disaster, or rape. Experiencing trauma as a child or as an adult changes one’s perception of self as well as that of the world around them. It is common to see a majority of individuals who underwent a traumatic experience resort to addictive behaviors like alcoholism or drug abuse. According to the National Survey of Adolescents, it is estimated that teenagers who experienced sexual or physical assault or abuse were three times more prone to have indulged in past or current substance abuse than those without any history of trauma.
What Are the Various Types of Trauma?
Before heading to discuss the connection between trauma and addiction, it is necessary to know about the various types of trauma which are as follows:
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Physical Assault: Physical assault is when someone gets beaten up or hit repeatedly. The assaulter could be a stranger or someone whom the individual is familiar with.
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Sexual Assault: One is said to be assaulted sexually if they are molested or raped. It is one of the most common types of traumatic experiences.
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Domestic Violence: Domestic violence arises when someone at home assaults the individual. It could be by a spouse or a parent.
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Parental Neglect: Parental neglect manifests when a child is deprived of resources that are required for them to survive or thrive. It can be in the form of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, not given enough food, or bad living conditions.
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Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse happens when one tries to gain control over someone by using emotions to blame, embarrass, criticize, shame, or manipulate another person.
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Bullying: Bullying is also a common form of traumatic experience. Bullying can have a detrimental effect despite the size of the bullying experience. This can result in troubles into adulthood.
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Illness: Suffering from a chronic (long-term) illness can be traumatic. The sufferings that one undergoes related to the illness can cause an involuntary rewind of those memories and emotions for years afterward.
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Natural Disasters: Natural disasters can cause the loss of loved ones, homes, or one’s everyday routine. These experiences can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD- a disorder in which an individual fails to recover following witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event). Though commonly overlooked, PTSD as a result of natural disasters should be taken very seriously.
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Accidents: Accidents like work-related injuries, road traffic accidents, or any type of injury can be very traumatic. The traumatic experience need not necessarily involve the person to be involved in the accident but can also be related to a well-acquainted friend or family member who was hurt in the accident. Many times, accidents can result in severe PTSD and flashbacks.
What Are the Physical and Behavioral Signs of Trauma?
The physical and behavioral signs of trauma are as follows:
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Nightmares, insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep), extreme fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
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Easily scared or anxious, feeling agitated, and having a rapid heartbeat.
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Experiencing body aches, pains, and muscle tension.
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Behavioral signs include denial, mood swings, confusion, anger, guilt or shame, blaming oneself, withdrawal, disbelief or shock, isolation, feelings of hopelessness, and feeling of being numb or disconnected.
What Are the Physical and Behavioral Symptoms of Addiction?
The physical and behavioral symptoms of addiction are as follows:
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Withdrawal, excessive sweating, and violent behavior.
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Diarrhea or constipation, seizures or trembling, craving for the substance, bodily damage, insomnia, sudden changes in appetite, and looking more tired.
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Behavioral symptoms include no longer finding joy in things they once enjoyed, staying away from relationships and activities, isolation, secrecy, and feeling obsessed with the substance.
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Excessive substance abuse, denial of the issue, stowing the substances in a secret place, legal troubles, financial troubles, unnecessary risk-taking, obsession, and continued substance abuse even after suffering from health issues.
What Is the Connection Between Trauma and Addiction?
The connection between trauma and addiction are as follows:
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Addiction is a complex behavior that involves a compulsive intention to consume alcohol or drugs despite their harmful effects. There can be various triggering factors like genetic, psychological, and environmental. Trauma is one such factor that can result in addiction.
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The connection between trauma and addiction is that drug or substance abuse is regarded as a tool to deal with emotional pain caused by the traumatic event. With the help of a drug or other substance, one tries to heal their emotional pain and escape from traumatic memories. This can, however, damage the brain further and elevate the risk of addiction.
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Also, trauma can alter the brain’s reward system, making the individual more susceptible to addiction. Studies have found that trauma can cause changes in the regions of the brain responsible for motivation, stress responses, and reward, thereby increasing the risk of addiction. Those who have faced trauma may have other mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, which can further make one vulnerable to addiction. These mental health conditions can push one to take medications on their own to ease the signs, which could result in addiction.
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Besides trauma leading to addiction, vice-versa is also possible. Addiction can elevate the risk of exposure to trauma since many individuals indulge in risky behaviors under the influence of drugs, which results in violence or accidents.
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Trauma can also elevate the risk of relapse in individuals recovering from addiction since traumatic events can trigger the desire to use drugs.
How Can Trauma Affect the Brain?
Trauma can trigger the release of toxic stress chemicals within the brain, which can cause damage over time. Being stressed for a long period can rewire the brain, thereby impacting one’s emotions and activities. The following are the parts of the brain on which traumatic events have an impact:
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The amygdala (involved in sensing dangers and triggering responses to frightening stimuli).
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The hippocampus (learning center of the brain).
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The thalamus (acts as a relay station wherein sensory information is transferred to this region).
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The hypothalamus (regulates several bodily activities).
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The nucleus accumbens (a major component of the brain’s reward system).
How Can Trauma and Addiction Be Treated?
Trauma and addiction can be treated in the following ways:
Trauma-Focused Therapies: Trauma-focused therapies aim to aid individuals process and deal with the emotional distress associated with their traumatic experiences. Some of the commonly used trauma-focused therapies are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), prolonged exposure therapy (PE), and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that revolves around the individual’s behavioral responses to specific stressors or events. Therapists will assist the patients to develop new behavioral habits and techniques for reacting to stressors.
In EMDR, individuals will recapitulate their traumatic experiences in short durations while they focus on an external stimulus or object. This therapy could involve hand-tapping, music, or other things.
In PE therapy, individuals learn to gradually approach their traumatic memories, situations, or feelings and are taught not to regard them as dangerous and that they need not be avoided.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment: It is a specialized form of treatment that addresses both trauma and addiction side by side. Most people with addictive behavior have a history of trauma, and hence, it is essential to address both to obtain a lasting recovery. Dual-diagnosis treatment involves a blend of psychiatric care, trauma-focused therapies, and substance abuse treatment.
Substance Abuse Treatment: Substance abuse treatment is an essential component of any treatment plan for addiction. Based on the addiction severity, individuals may require medication-assisted or residential treatment and detox. Detox is the safe process of eliminating alcohol and drugs from the body. Medication-assisted treatment involves the use of drugs to reduce cravings and manage withdrawal signs. Inpatient rehab involves the individual staying at a facility. The duration of the stay can vary from 30 to 90 days during which the individual obtains intensive therapy and support.
Holistic Therapies: Holistic therapies like yoga, mindfulness, and meditation can be advantageous to those who have experienced trauma and addiction. These therapies help reduce stress, improve the sense of self-awareness, and promote overall well-being.
Aftercare Support: Aftercare support is necessary for those who have completed the treatment program for trauma and addiction. Aftercare support encompasses regular checkups with the physician, ongoing therapy, and joining support groups.
The goal of all these therapies is to address negative trauma-related thoughts and emotions positively by learning coping strategies and gaining a sense of safety and control.
Conclusion
Drug or alcohol addiction does not happen overnight. Exposure to a traumatic event can elevate the risk of addiction without one realizing it. One need not feel upset, embarrassed, or frustrated with themselves. Not everyone who faces a traumatic event gets addicted to drugs or alcohol which makes it challenging to determine whether addiction due to trauma can be prevented. If one does not seek help while dealing with traumatic experiences, they are more prone to resort to habits like alcohol or drug consumption as a coping mechanism. The ideal way to prevent addiction following a traumatic experience is to seek treatment from a mental health professional at the earliest. One must be aware of the fact that help is available to deal with their trauma and to get rid of addiction, thereby leading to a happy, fulfilled life.
