Population Assignment

docx

School

Washtenaw Community College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

240

Subject

Psychology

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by EarlLightning12079

Childhood Trauma and Addiction 1 The Effects of Childhood Trauma and Addiction Brieanna Johnson HSW 100

Childhood Trauma and Addiction 2 The effects of childhood trauma and addiction Trauma is a debilitating experience that can have profound effects on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. While trauma itself is deeply distressing, it can also act as a catalyst for the development of addiction. Childhood trauma can significantly impact a person's mental and emotional well-being, potentially leading to the development of addiction later in life. Traumatic experiences during childhood, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, loss of a loved one, or witnessing violence, can create long-lasting psychological scars. There are different ways in which childhood trauma can contribute to the development of addiction, with the main one being as a coping mechanism. Addiction can take control over anyone's life, and trauma happens to everyone in some way. The audience I chose to target would be those who are dealing with addiction. More so how childhood trauma helps contribute to addiction. Everyone has their own way of dealing with trauma, but a lot of people end up getting addicted to the outlet they saw as a safe space. The psychological impact of trauma is well-documented and can include symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and dissociation. Individuals who have experienced trauma may also feel a sense of isolation, low self-esteem, and a loss of control. To cope with these overwhelming emotions and to self-medicate their pain, many individuals turn to substances such as alcohol, drugs, or even behaviors like gambling or compulsive eating. Trauma can be exhibited and experienced in various ways that at some point everyone has a detriment to. When someone is traumatized, their vulnerability is increased and

Childhood Trauma and Addiction 3 they are more susceptible to finding something to help them get through, whether they turn to drugs, sex, crime, etc. 55 to 60 percent of all post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) victims end up developing some form of chemical dependency (APA). Drugs and sex tend to be the main outlets for those who have been traumatized, it gives people a sense of control. Trauma and addiction share underlying psychological factors that contribute to their intertwined relationship. Substance abuse can function to self-medicate traumatic memories and numb emotional pain, temporarily providing relief from intrusive thoughts and overwhelming emotions. In turn, addiction exacerbates the individual's psychological distress, further perpetuating the cycle of trauma and maintaining the reliance on substances or addictive behaviors. General population surveys have documented that approximately 75% of individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) have experienced trauma at some point in their lives (Mills, Teesson, Ross, & Peters, 2006) There’s is no way of being able to pinpoint the exact numbers as not everyone who experiences trauma is aware they’re being traumatized until later down the line. The needs and challenges of people who have been traumatized come in various shapes and forms. For starters, there is a desperate need for a good, reliable support system. People, or just someone, who will be there, love and support them, and show they care. They need someone to listen and the ability to access different types of help. Aside from battling with the fact that they’re traumatized, a lot of delayed responses in regards to trauma can lead to issues when sleeping, fatigue, bad dreams, uneasiness centered on flashbacks, depression, and evading feelings, sensations, or other things that are related with the trauma. While dealing with the mental aspect of trauma, the people traumatized must deal with it physically, and sometimes verbally. Emotional dysregulation, unusual sexual arousal, trouble when sleeping, thinking, and acting are just some of the challenges this group of people faces.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Childhood Trauma and Addiction 4 Generally people who have been traumatized will seek help wherever it’s being offered. Places like a psychiatrist, psychologist, a social worker, doctors/nurses, or even someone close to them that they can trust and depend on. When it seems hard to keep pushing on, when the weight of the world is on their shoulders, or even when they feel like there’s no one there to support them is when this group seeks help. If you are experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, or nightmares that are interfering with your daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. Additionally, if you have tried self-help techniques such as exercise or mindfulness and are still struggling, it may be time to consider therapy. (Rynfield 2023) In conclusion, trauma and addiction are fundamentally connected, as trauma can significantly contribute to the development and perpetuation of addiction. By better understanding the nature of trauma, its psychological impact, and the maladaptive coping mechanisms individuals employ, we can grasp the complexity of this relationship. It is crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of trauma and addiction to implement effective treatment strategies that address underlying trauma and addiction simultaneously. By providing comprehensive and trauma-informed care, we can empower individuals to break free from the cycle of addiction and facilitate their journey towards healing and recovery.

Childhood Trauma and Addiction 5 References Farrugia, P.L. et al. (2011) Childhood trauma among individuals with co-morbid substance use and post traumatic stress disorder , Mental health and substance use : dual diagnosis . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3188414 Mills KL, Teesson M, Ross J, Peters L. Trauma, PTSD, and substance use disorders: findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006;163(4):652–658. Prevalence of trauma/toxic stress in Michigan (no date) SOM - State of Michigan . https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/childrenfamilies/tts/btim/pttsm Rynfield, R. (2023) How to help someone with emotional trauma , upscale treatment for mental health and addiction https://www.sabinorecovery.com/how-to-help-someone-with- emotional-trauma/

Related Documents

ED 131 Assign #3.pdf

Critical Thinking Assessment Practices.docx

Final rough draft.pdf

Theory Paper- Leah Needham (1).docx

Paper 2 mbita.docx

Differentiation Paper Topic Proposal Assignment (1).docx

Goldstein Practice Exam_ Chapter 2.docx

TL-Wilczynski Text Learning-Assignment 1- Chapter 1 & 2.docx

News Flash #1_ Psych Research .docx

Chapter 2_ Boucher_ Current Concept and Definitions_ Practice Exam.docx

600 journal week 3.docx

Entwistle summary.docx

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:PEARSON

Cognitive Psychology

Psychology

ISBN:9781337408271

Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.

Publisher:Cengage Learning,

Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...

Psychology

ISBN:9781337565691

Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780393265156

Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...

Psychology

ISBN:9781285763880

Author:E. Bruce Goldstein

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)

Psychology

ISBN:9781305652958

Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz

Publisher:Cengage Learning

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780134477961
Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White
Publisher:PEARSON
Cognitive Psychology
Psychology
ISBN:9781337408271
Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,
Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...
Psychology
ISBN:9781337565691
Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780393265156
Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...
Psychology
ISBN:9781285763880
Author:E. Bruce Goldstein
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)
Psychology
ISBN:9781305652958
Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz
Publisher:Cengage Learning