Why Addiction is Often Caused by Trauma
Trauma represents unhealed emotional wounds of a person still afresh and needing attention. These might be due to some past distresses, fears or accidents.
A person who has been through trauma tends to find an escape using material support. In most cases, they see this support in an addictive substance.
As a person progresses through life, various social and emotional circumstances create the mental construct, and eventually, the behavior is shaped.
The Profound Association Between Trauma And Addiction
To state some numbers, almost a quarter of people in the US who have gone through some trauma find themselves indulging in some or other substance abuse.
There is not just a one-way road from trauma to addiction; instead, the vice versa holds equally good. There are instances when a person gets into Substance Use Disorder (SUD) during the early years. Continued consumption of drugs & alcohol weakens the biomechanics of the brain and nervous system. Lack of emotional and mental support leaves them vulnerable to even minute stresses. These tensions can trigger emotional turmoil, even without any aggravating situation.
Can Self-Treatment Of Trauma Cause Addiction?
A whirlpool of traumatic experiences tends to pull the person towards closure from external assistance. One avoids seeking help from others for fear of embarrassment or lack of assurance.
The most accessible and prompt escape is found in self-treatment. This is often a reliance on a substance that could offer temporary relief from post-traumatic disorder.
Alcohol and drugs suddenly appear to be the rescue and avoiding real-time solutions get embedded in one’s habits. Over time, this habit becomes a part of the lifestyle; before one can realize it, full-blown addiction has entered life.
Why Do We Need To Address Both Trauma & Addiction?
Although people recognize that they are addicted to some Substances, a few acknowledge the underlying issue. Just as the end of the thread needs to be taken up first to straighten up the whole length, trauma must be addressed first to get rid of drug dependency.
One needs to get the necessary help to tackle the abstract emotions and environmental triggers, which are the overlapping causes of both trauma & addiction.
Is There A Way Out?
On the one hand, we fear the complex relationship between trauma and addiction, while on the other, we can work on both the co-occurring disorders and achieve the goal of a sober life!
Addressing even one of the issues during the initial stages can catalyze the treatment of the other. Psychological and behavioral support can significantly impact a person’s habits and outlook on life.
However, there needs to be comprehensive and consistent support that a person can rely on. It can encompass the following:
Physical and Behavioral Therapies:
Cognitive and behavioral therapies try to break down the glass of insecurity built around an addicted person. This proves to be the most critical step while moving towards deaddiction.
Medication:
It is always better to take the prescribed medication for the expected timeline. This reduces the chances of relapse and continuation of the process.
Dietary interventions:
I recall a famous saying, “We are what we eat.” The food we consume not only makes up for our physical construct but also our mental health. It is, therefore, equally important to be mindful of our eating habits during the de-addiction treatment.
The Bottom Line
Although we have entered the era of technological advancements, we still face a scarcity of resources that can assist us in getting back control of our lives. While going through life, we will face emotional and mental turmoil. However, sticking to them is our choice. Leveraging technology in the form of Telehealth and Telemedicine Programs for opioid & alcohol addiction can be a positive step towards winning over life again.
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