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The Trauma and Addiction Connection

At one time or another, we all experience a form of trauma. Depending on the severity, it takes a devastating toll on our mental, physical, and emotional health, and it’s all too easy to rely on maladaptive behaviors to cope, such as drug or alcohol misuse. At Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire, our evidence-based treatment methods recognize the trauma and addiction connection, and we strive to help people move through it all to achieve lasting health.

Recognizing Different Types of Trauma

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that “violence, abuse, neglect, and family or social conflict are among the traumatic events and circumstances that are linked with the risk of developing a substance use disorder (SUD) [or alcohol use disorder (AUD).” Additionally, “Children and adolescents who experience trauma are particularly susceptible to developing a SUD or AUD later in life, and many people diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also have [an AUD or] SUD.” 

Trauma takes many forms. To provide a better understanding of it, Mental Health America (MHA) outlines a few significant categories: 

  • Acute is “a single overwhelming incident.”
  • Adverse childhood experiences include many on this list and some others identified by the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Study. 
  • Chronic, also referred to as complex trauma, is exposure to multiple, prolonged, and repeated traumatic events, often interpersonal, such as emotional, mental, physical, or sexual abuse, and domestic violence.
  • Historical “refers to a mass trauma that is experienced over a long period of time (many years) by a specific cultural, racial, or ethnic group. This trauma usually spans multiple generations and includes things like genocide, slavery, colonialism, and war,” MHA indicates.
  • Insidious trauma happens to a marginalized community that you’re part of, “for example: racism, sexism, or homophobia. The MHA states, “Being a part of a marginalized community has a big impact on your mental health, even if you haven’t noticed any incidents where you were specifically targeted
  • Intergenerational, according to MHA, “is when the effects of trauma are passed down in a family. A grandmother who grew up in an abusive home may have learned to hide her emotions. Even if she breaks the cycle of abuse, her emotional distance might still affect her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on. Some studies suggest that this type of trauma actually alters DNA and gene expression, consequently affecting multiple generations.
  • Vicarious, also called secondary or second-hand trauma, is a common problem among emergency room doctors, social workers, and therapists when they see or hear about another person’s traumatic experiences. You can also feel the effects of it if someone close to you suffered a negative event. 
  • Mass trauma, notes MHA, “is an event or experience impacting a larger community or society. This includes large-scale natural disasters as well as human-caused disasters, such as war and terrorist attacks. These events usually involve property loss/damage, death, and general life disruption for almost everyone in the community.”
  • Medical, which includes the psychological impact of various medical procedures, diagnoses, or long-term illnesses, including associated fear and stress.
  • War-induced trauma involves the physical and psychological harm experienced by soldiers or civilians during or after armed conflict, including combat stress and PTSD.
  • Grief and loss, such as your emotional suffering caused by the death of a loved one or a pronounced loss, lead to profound sadness and distress.

The Connection Between Trauma and Addiction

NIDA indicates that traumatic stress “causes changes to a person’s brain function and their behavior, making it more likely that substance use will lead to an addiction. This is particularly true in early life.” Numerous points of research indicate that if we rate high on the scale for  adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like violence, abuse, neglect, or other early-life stressors, we’re at a greater risk of developing substance use disorders later in life. 

According to the CDC-Kaiser Permanente study, nearly 65 percent of adults have at least one ACE, and more than 17 percent have four or more. The study identifies 10 key ACES—take this quiz to see where you rank, and learn more about ACES.  

The National Center for Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health states that more than 40 percent who use the agency hotline are coerced into using drugs or alcohol when they don’t want to or more than they want to. Additionally, “victimization by an intimate partner increases the risk of depression, self-injury, suicide attempts, and substance use disorder.” Even more tragic, 60 percent of callers reported that their partners either discouraged or prevented them from getting help for AUD or SUD.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) indicates the following statistics, which we provide verbatim: 

  • More than 2 of 10 Veterans with PTSD also have SUD.
  • Almost 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for SUD also has PTSD.
  • In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about 1 in 10 returning Veterans seen in VA have a problem with alcohol or other drugs.
  • War Veterans with PTSD and alcohol problems tend to binge drink. Binge drinking is when a person drinks a lot of alcohol (4-5 drinks or more) in a short period of time (1-2 hours).
  • PTSD makes people feel “numb,” like being cut off from others, angry and irritable, or depressed. PTSD also makes people feel like they are always “on guard.” All of these feelings can get worse when using drugs and alcohol.
  • Drug and alcohol use allows people to continue the cycle of “avoidance” found in PTSD. Avoiding bad memories and dreams or people and places can make PTSD last longer. People with PTSD cannot make as much progress in treatment if they continue to avoid problems.

Find Your Healing Path at Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire 

At our three trauma-informed treatment centers, our board-certified medical professionals provide thorough, individualized care. Our facilities are the first in the state to incorporate this comprehensive approach to addiction recovery. From culturally competent Veteran care to in-depth and diverse therapeutic methods, trust that we’ll design a continuum of care plan that not only addresses your past but also helps empower you for the future. Talk to one of our admissions specialists today to learn how.