Traumatic events leave a long-lasting impact on you. Many people struggle after living through something painful, and turn to alcohol or drug abuse to deal with the pain. Why? This happens because there is a strong relationship between trauma and addiction.
Both physical and emotional trauma can lead to substance abuse and addiction. Did you know that about 75% of individuals with a substance use disorder have experienced trauma at some point in their lives? Let’s understand how trauma impacts your mind and body and the link between trauma and addiction.
How is trauma different from stress?
Stress is a response to daily pressures such as exams, deadlines, work demands, and so on, which is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. Usually, stress is manageable with the use of coping strategies.
On the other hand, trauma results from witnessing or experiencing deeply disturbing or life-altering events such as abuse, violence, accidents, death of a loved one, neglect, and so on. This can be overwhelming and disruptive, which often leaves a long-lasting impact on mental and physical health.
Herein, stress is typically temporary, whereas trauma can impact your health long-term.
What happens to your brain when you experience trauma?
Trauma can cause significant changes in three areas of the brain:
• The Amygdala becomes hyperactive, leading to constant vigilance, anxiety and exaggerated fear response.
• The Hippocampus may shrink, which can impair memory and the ability to distinguish past from present.
• The Prefrontal Cortex function can become suppressed, making it difficult to make decisions, regulate emotions and control impulses.
These changes can make it hard to calm down or feel safe even in a non-threatening situation. Moreover, as these same brain areas are implicated in addiction, it makes trauma survivors more vulnerable to developing substance use disorders, which is the neurobiological link of the trauma addiction connection.
How does trauma affect the body?
Trauma can impact your body by:
- Sudden spikes in heart rate
- Muscle tension
- Unexplained fatigue
- Digestive unrest
- Sleep issues or insomnia
- Hypertension and metabolic issues
- Difficulty relaxing or feeling numb
What are some examples of a trauma response?
There are four main trauma responses that are most common:
• Freeze – Feeling stuck, numb, dissociated or unable to act during or after trauma
• Fight – A heightened level of aggression, irritability, anger or confrontational behavior
• Flight – Constant avoidance or withdrawal, a state of anxiety or panic
• Fawn – People-pleasing, difficulty saying no, prioritizing others to avoid conflict
Can trauma lead to substance abuse and addiction?
Trauma is a major risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. Many people use substances to numb emotional pain, intrusive memories, distress caused by trauma, which is the main link between trauma and addiction. Self-medication can provide temporary relief or escape but it ultimately worsens emotional pain, dependency, health and creates a vicious cycle of trauma and addiction. For example, substance use can lead to risky situations or environments where trauma occurs.
What is the relationship between PTSD and addiction?
PTSD and addiction are often co-morbid conditions. This happens because many individuals with PTSD turn to alcohol or drugs to numb flashbacks, anxiety or insomnia. This can lead to dependency and can worsen existing symptoms, which creates a link between psychological trauma and addiction that is hard to break but can be managed with the help of trauma-informed therapeutic techniques.
How does unresolved trauma contribute to addiction?
Emotional trauma from neglect, abuse or loss can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, sleep issues, emotional exhaustion, constant flashbacks and replays of traumatic memories, pain and distress that individuals want an escape from. Unresolved trauma, especially childhood trauma and addiction often co-occur. To escape or numb these feelings resulting from trauma, individuals use substances, which puts them at a risk of developing dependency or addiction. The best course of action in such a scenario is trauma-informed addiction treatment which includes trauma-informed therapy, addiction rehabilitation and social support.
How to get the freeze or fight trauma response to go away?
These are some strategies to manage and reduce trauma response:
• Mindfulness and grounding techniques to focus on the present and regain control
• Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery can help in calming the nervous system
• Simple actions like nodding, looking around, breathing, identifying things in immediate surroundings can help thaw the freeze response
• Physical activity and exercise can help release tension and improve mood
• Somatic therapy, trauma-informed therapy can help deal with psychological trauma and addiction
• Social support groups for individuals with trauma and addiction can be extremely helpful in regulating emotions, a sense of belongingness and safety
Can EMDR cure co-dependency if it’s rooted in trauma?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy focuses on helping an individual process traumatic memory. These memories can often have themes of co-dependency, for which EDR can be helpful but it would be most effective when combined with therapies addressing relationship skills. A trauma-informed therapist can chart out the best approach depending on the individual’s needs, history and concerns.
Trauma can leave long-lasting scars and often drive people towards substance abuse and addiction. Usually childhood trauma, unresolved trauma, PTSD can co-occur with addiction. However, recovery is possible through trauma-informed addiction treatment that focuses on healing through trauma-informed therapy, somatic therapy, lifestyle changes, addiction rehabilitation, and social support groups that can provide a holistic healing intervention based on the individual’s needs. If you recognize these patterns in yourself or a loved one, you’re not alone, search for EMDR or trauma-informed therapists near me, to take the first step towards recovery!
At North America Behavorial Health Services, our experts will guide you with the resources needed to navigate the tough life after trauma. We link you to licensed therapists who understands your concerns and connect you with facilities near you for the best treatment.
