A Better Today

How Trauma can Affect Substance Abuse

What Came First, the Trauma or the Substance Abuse Addiction?

The relationship between trauma and substance abuse is directly correlated. One affects the other, often creating a complex situation where one intensifies and worsens the other.

Trauma impacts a person on every level, often causing severe distress and chronic health, emotional and psychological problems.

The individual experiencing nightmares, constant anxiety and fear, panic attacks, paranoia and many other potential symptoms may feel desperate for relief.

The need for symptom relief is often great enough to propel a person to do things that he or she might otherwise never consider. Drug and alcohol abuse is a commonly engaged in by those seeking relief from trauma related issues.

Coping with Trauma: the Unhealthy Behavior of Substance Abuse

When someone experiences severe trauma, they may become more at risk for substance use disorder. Trauma can manifest itself in many different ways. Some traumatic events could include being a victim of domestic violence, natural disasters, bullying, sexual assault, car accidents, death of loved ones, or other events or ongoing circumstances.

Trauma can lead to substance use disorder when the trauma is unresolved or if the traumatic experience is continuous. According to the The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, experiencing childhood trauma makes someone 4 to 12 times more likely to develop alcoholism or a drug use disorder. Also, people who experienced trauma are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop a smoking habit.

A Better Today Recovery Services understands the extreme hardships that trauma and substance abuse cause. The substance abuse may make trauma worse because many people can see no other option. We can help you find the treatment program that is right for you. Call us today to find out how treatment can address your trauma and your drug use at the same time.