When trauma occurs in childhood, it can greatly affect every aspect of a person’s life well into adulthood. Childhood trauma can also have a direct correlation with self-destructive behaviors like addiction. Once you begin healing your childhood trauma, you will be able to navigate your recovery more easily.
Childhood Trauma: Facts and Statistics
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “More than two-thirds of children reported at least one traumatic event by age 16.” This number may seem staggering, but each person can be affected by trauma in a completely different way.
Some examples of events and situations that can lead to childhood trauma include natural disasters, accidents, sudden loss, abuse, and neglect. While preventing trauma seems like the best option, this is often not possible. The fact is that many people experience trauma in their lives. If you have experienced trauma, it’s important to be gentle with yourself as you begin the process of healing.
The Lasting Effects of Childhood Trauma
The effects of trauma can be both short-term and long-term. In the short term, trauma can affect a child’s ability to socialize and perform in school. Trauma can also lead to low self-esteem, behavioral issues like aggression, and much more.
Long-Term Effects
The long-term effects of childhood trauma can be vast. According to a 2023 study published in Brain and Behavior, individuals who experience adverse conditions during childhood “exhibit greater vulnerability for developing mental disorders” later in adulthood. Some common conditions include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, substance use disorder (SUD), and antisocial behavior.
It’s important to note here that each individual goes through their own unique experiences after trauma. The only common thread that binds trauma survivors is the fact that they experienced trauma in the first place. The after-effects can manifest in a variety of different ways, and some people won’t have lingering effects.
Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders
According to SAMHSA, trauma is a risk factor for “nearly all behavioral health and substance use disorders.” In fact, the journal Depression and Anxiety mentions that more than 70% of adolescents receiving treatment for substance abuse had a history of trauma exposure.
Although the link between trauma and addiction is evident, why exactly does it exist? Many studies have pointed to issues like low self-esteem and low self-worth as reasons for this link. Others have suggested that people turn to substances to self-medicate. Issues like anxiety and depression may also be rooted in the ongoing emotional toll of trauma.
Healing Childhood Trauma
It’s important to understand that healing childhood trauma can be an extremely delicate process. If you’ve experienced trauma, having the support of clinicians trained in trauma care is crucial. Trauma-specific recovery programs, like the one at The Guest House, can also do wonders for your healing journey.
Another important point here is that trauma recovery can look different from one person to the next. There is never a “one-size-fits-all” approach to trauma and addiction recovery. Learning about the best practices for yourself will help you overcome your struggles more quickly.
Co-Occurring Disorders and Trauma-Specific Care
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), when someone has SUD or another mental health disorder like PTSD, “it is usually better to treat them at the same time rather than separately.” It’s also considered a best practice for healthcare providers to screen for trauma when providing SUD care.
When trauma and addiction appear together, they are known as co-occurring disorders. Behavioral therapies like talk therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and residential treatment communities provide healing for co-occurring disorders.
Holistic Healing
Behavioral therapies are the traditional route to healing co-occurring conditions. Holistic therapies and practices, however, also have a wide range of benefits for these issues.
Mindfulness is one such practice that can completely transform your life. This simple practice teaches you to get out of your head and live in the present moment. Using the five senses, you can stay grounded and alleviate the distractions of anxiety, racing thoughts, triggers, and more. DBT even uses elements of mindfulness in its framework.
Other holistic therapies can include meditation, yoga, breathwork, and many more. Journaling is another great tool to help you process childhood trauma. Through journaling, you can set goals for the future and reconnect with yourself.
Healing Childhood Trauma at The Guest House
The journey of healing childhood trauma can be difficult on your own. To avoid the effects of re-traumatization, it’s important to seek out professional help from a trauma-specific center like The Guest House. At The Guest House, we understand that trauma can be deeply intertwined with SUD. This is why our program was designed to help you get to the root of your addiction by healing trauma on a physical, mental, and even spiritual level.
Our beautiful 52-acre estate provides the perfect backdrop to help you unplug from life’s daily stresses. We also offer an extensive list of both traditional and holistic therapies that will help you heal childhood trauma and addiction side by side.
We also realize that healing trauma is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. From meditation and yoga to breathwork and much more, The Guest House truly has something for everyone. Here, you will be able to find yourself again as you learn how to create more peace, joy, and fulfillment in your life.
Childhood trauma has been reported to occur in more than two-thirds of children by the age of 16. This frighteningly prevalent condition can have a long list of both short- and long-term effects, including substance use disorder (SUD). At The Guest House, we specialize in healing co-occurring disorders like trauma and addiction. Our trauma-specific program includes a long list of both traditional and holistic therapies to help you heal your mind, body, and soul. The trauma-trained clinicians at The Guest House are here to help you through your journey while avoiding re-traumatization. Healing childhood trauma can be a delicate process, but The Guest House is here to support you each step of the way. Call us at (855) 483-7800.