The Top Trauma That Causes Addiction
One of the main reason someone turn to alcohol is through trauma they experienced. What is the top trauma that causes addiction?
Addiction is a complex psychological condition, sometimes appearing with unusual physical manifestations. Typically, individuals addicted to one substance or the other show an intense focus on using that substance. Often, this compulsion impairs the person’s ability to function in day-to-day life.
Addiction can occur in various forms, but the most popular kind are those related to substance misuse. Substance here refers to alcohol, drugs (including illicit and prescription drugs), food, and other ingestible substances. In America, chemical dependence (which refers to the compulsive need to use alcohol and drugs) is a major epidemic.
Reasons Why an Individual May Become Addicted to Any Substance
Since it is well established that chemical dependence may negatively impact a person’s normal functioning, one may wonder why individuals still use these substances. There are several contributing factors to this phenomenon, and these include:
- Sheer curiosity
- Recreational habit
- Peer pressure
- Cultural and media influences
- Stress from work or school
- Psychological trauma
Substance misuse due to psychological trauma is not an uncommon incidence in American adults. The source of the traumatic experience may be related to a childhood experience or encounter that was considered terrifying or highly challenging. As a result, these individuals may turn to substances like cocaine, marijuana, or alcohol as a means of escape.
Top Trauma Responsible for Substance Misuse
Among several adults who have been studied, the forms of childhood trauma that stand out the most revolve around sexual abuse, bullying, and neglect. The commonality with these three is the deep, almost enormous psychological scars they leave on a person’s psyche. No matter the age they may occur, the individual is sure to carry emotional wounds that may take very long to heal. Sexual abuse, as defined by WebMD, is any sexual activity that occurs without the individual’s consent.
The most common kind is rape, and child rape statistics stand at about one in every nine girls and one in every 50 boys. Bullying is another pervasive menace in the average American society. On average, one in ten kids at school, home, or other social centers are reported to get bullied daily. Bullying is an act of unwanted, aggressive behavior towards another person that is highly likely to be repeated. Finally, neglect is the continuous failure by a parent or guardian to meet the basic needs of a child in their custody.
This misconduct could manifest in a lack of proper clothing, shelter, healthcare, or even supervision. Thus, major emotional and psychological problems like anxiety and cognitive difficulties may develop. With such negative and intense experiences, substance misuse may seemingly appear as a coping mechanism for those individuals who have undergone such trauma.
The True Way Out at Evoke Waltham
Chemical dependency comes with its brand of evil. The effects of consuming alcohol and drugs over time, especially in heavy amounts, will inadvertently damage a person’s mental and physical health. Hence, it must be noted that addiction is never the solution.
Reasonably, quality therapy with a licensed and qualified psychotherapist goes a long way to address the backlash from traumatic issues. However, if a chemical dependency has set in anyways, then a comprehensive and suitable addiction rehabilitation program is the answer to complete and stable recovery.
