Childhood Trauma and the Risk of Adult Substance Abuse

Does Childhood Trauma and Abuse Increase the Risk for Adult Substance Abuse?

Childhood trauma, abuse, and neglect affects millions of children annually. Tragically, children who suffer abuse and neglect usually do so at the hands of those closest to them. According to Childhelp.org, each year, 6.6 million children are referred to state child protective services for abuse cases. Half of these children are put through investigated reports.

Although a large number of cases are reported, it is likely that many other unknown children deal with traumatic and abusive experiences whose cases go unreported. Because of this, it is impossible to know the exact number of children who suffer abuse and neglect. In the wake of childhood abuse, the remainder of person’s life can be negatively impacted if they do not receive treatment.

Researching the Link

Strong links have been made between childhood trauma or abuse and a number of mental, physical and reproductive issues later in life. Additionally, smoking, alcoholism, alcohol abuse as well as illicit drug abuse are linked to some instances of childhood abuse. Not only do childhood trauma and abuse affect a person’s health, but dealing with the effects of abuse can shorten an individual lifespan by as much as 20 years.

Some studies of adult alcohol and drug abusers have traced stress-related disorders back to childhood trauma revealing a connection between child abuse and substance abuse. Childhood trauma could be physical, sexual or emotional abuse, but can also include neglect, which can be either physical or emotional.

The available research reveals that among those who enter treatment for alcohol or drug abuse issues, as many as two-thirds report having been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused as children. Most of the information relating adult substance abuse to a person’s abuse in childhood comes indirectly.

Harvard Medical School Study Links Substance Abuse and Childhood Trauma

In one study funded by the NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), a team of Harvard Medical School researchers in Boston led by Dr. Lisa M. Najavits reviewed 49 studies involving female drug users with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). The study shows that substance abusers typically show high rates of a coexisting PTSD diagnosis. Those who suffer from PTSD frequently relive a past trauma through nightmares of flashbacks. In the studies reviewed by Dr. Najavits and her team, many women reported child abuse as the trauma they relive.

The study also reveals that among substance abusers, females have higher rates than males of dual diagnosis (substance abuse coupled with PTSD). In some of the studies reviewed by her team, Dr. Najavits found that the rate of co-occurring PTSD was two to three times greater among female substance abusers.

Dr. Cathy Spatz Widom of the State University of New York at Albany agrees and says that “Child abuse may be an important factor primarily for certain subgroups – some groups of women, for example – more than for the population in general.” However, Dr Widom also believes that additional factors, like poverty or a history of family substance abuse, also play a large role.

Alcoholics and Childhood Abuse

Common among those who are undergoing treatment for alcoholism is a history of childhood trauma. A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research shows that many adults alcoholics suffered childhood trauma. This evidence comes from people in detox programs who reported physical, sexual or emotional abuse as children. This study suggests that childhood abuse could be a factor leading to alcoholism. Below are some of the specific findings of this study:

• People who are undergoing treatment for alcoholism are likely to have experienced one or more form of childhood abuse or neglect.
• Sexual abuse was linked to a greater chance of anxiety disorders in addition to alcoholism. Emotional abuse was linked to a greater chance of depression.
• Those alcoholics who experienced multiple types of neglect or abuse as children have a greater risk for attempting suicide or for developing psychiatric disorders.
• Alcoholics who suffered physical abuse in childhood could have an increased likelihood of suicide attempts.

It should be noted that studies prior to this one which also dealt with alcoholism and its roots in trauma showed that alcoholics have higher instances of self-reporting physical and sexual abuse in childhood than individuals in the general population.

 Prescription Medication Abuse and Childhood Trauma

Kelly Quinn, PhD, an assistant professor of population health at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City researched the relationship between childhood trauma and the misuse of prescription pain pills. Quinn says that a child who experiences more types of trauma has a greater likelihood of abusing prescription medications.

Not only that, but the odds of pain pill misuse increase with age among those who have dealt with trauma in childhood. She says that this is especially true of those who have suffered sexual trauma. Quinn says this idea, “speaks to the fact that childhood trauma potentially has down-the-road consequences that may not manifest immediately, but could have implications for the later course of health.”

Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse

Data collected from studies like the National Survey of Adolescents shows a strong link between adolescent trauma and substance abuse. Although the exact numbers are hard to come by, the data reveals the following:

• Evidence shows that almost 60% of young people who have experienced trauma develop substance abuse issues.
• Surveys done among adolescents undergoing substance abuse treatment reveal that over 70% had been exposed to trauma as kids.
• Teenagers who experienced sexual or physical abuse or assault were three times more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs than teens with no history of trauma.

Coping with Childhood Trauma and Abuse

There is no doubt that child abuse leaves deep scars on a person’s life. In addition to the studies mentioned above, other studies demonstrate that childhood abuse and neglect affect a person’s brain structure, especially the areas that control, planning, decision making, reasoning and emotions. As a result, adults with a history of neglect or abuse may choose unhealthy behaviors, including substance abuse.

There are healthy ways of coping with childhood abuse, such as visiting a professional counselor. Yet some people choose unhealthy coping methods like drug and alcohol abuse to help them deal with their issues. However, using substance abuse to cope is temporary and does not actually deal with the root issues. Also, using drugs and alcohol to cope with childhood abuse can:

• Worsen existing psychological problems
• Compound difficulty and instability on top of existing issues
• Create a lifestyle of substance abuse which can ruin an individual’s health, destroy relationships, make it harder to hold a job or develop a career and even endanger their life

Healing and Recovery Can Begin Today with Nsight

There is no question that suffering through childhood abuse, trauma and neglect negatively impacts a person’s life. Some people learn to cope with these issues in healthy ways while others turn to unhealthy tools for coping like drugs or alcohol. Many substance abusers fail to recognize that they have a problem until their behavior is out of control. The further realization that substance abuse masks deeper issues is an even harder one to arrive at.

Helping someone you love deal with trauma, PTSD, and/or substance abuse in constructive ways will allow healing to happen in other areas of life as well. To help a loved one contact Nsight Mental Health & Wellness at (949) 629-3730 or via confidential email (info@nsightrecovery.com). Our team of trained professionals can assist your loved one to discover appropriate treatment options so they can leave behind substance abuse and begin the healing process.