Experiencing a traumatic event, especially in childhood, can often negatively affect them if they’re not resolved. Many children experience some level of trauma that can affect them deeply and lead towards destructive paths if not properly guided through the emotions they feel.
Childhood trauma can sometimes lead to drug addiction. Here’s a brief guide on childhood trauma and why this can lead to drug addiction.
What Does Childhood Trauma Include?
Trauma happens when you become overwhelmed after being exposed to something terrifying, violent, or threatening. As a child, we are often vulnerable and feel helpless to protect ourselves. This kind of event and deep emotion can change someone’s entire life.
Childhood trauma can come in many forms. Sometimes the child is directly involved or threatened, while sometimes, the child sees someone else in that traumatic situation.
Some examples of events that can lead to childhood trauma can include:
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Physical or emotional neglect
- Seeing a parent struggle with substance abuse or mental illness
- Being separated from a parent
- Death of a parent or sibling
- Domestic violence in the home
- Parents’ divorce
- Being in a natural disaster
- Being bullied
- Having a severe illness or injury
How Does Childhood Trauma Lead to Drug Addiction?
Childhood trauma can lead to drug addiction for many reasons. One reason is that the trauma one experiences can often change their brain and have long-term effects on how one interacts with the world. When your brain develops through trauma, you are more likely to become vulnerable to substance abuse disorders.
Many children can turn to drugs as they may feel like it can help them resolve trauma. However, this can often become their normal response when something goes wrong and can lead to addiction.
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