Part of the complete guide to understanding addiction
Table of Contents
- Childhood trauma and Addiction
- What us a co-occurring disorder?
- Integrated drug rehab and mental health treatment
- Addiction and trauma recovery model
- Statistics linking trauma
Part of the complete guide to understanding addiction
Table of Contents
- Childhood trauma and Addiction
- What us a co-occurring disorder?
- Integrated drug rehab and mental health treatment
- Addiction and trauma recovery model
- Statistics linking trauma and addiction
- Consider Drug Rehab for Dual Diagnosis
Childhood trauma and addiction
Trauma experienced as a child can impact an individual’s life for years to come. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE) found that the link between childhood trauma and high-risk behaviors that lead to chronic illness and premature death is significant.
As research continues to grow in the area of addiction rehab, a focus on childhood trauma and addiction has become a focus. The circumstances and experiences a child undergo shapes their psychological development. Therefore, while genetics and biology play a major role in the brain’s development and addiction, the adaptation response of the brain impact the structure in both positive and negative ways.
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One study in particular showed how childhood abuse may be attributed to certain anomalies in the structure of the brain linked to cognitive, behavioral and social impairments. These physiological changes to the brain are clearly seen on neurological scans connected to vulnerability to substance abuse disorders.
What is a Co-occurring Disorder?
When beginning addiction rehab treatment, it is important to understand the likelihood and complexity of what a co-occurring disorder is and its impact. A co-occurring disorder, or dual disorder, is the occurrence of a substance use disorder along with a mental health disorder. These mental health disorders are generally categorized into three groups: mood-related disorders, anxiety-related disorders, or severe mental illness.
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common co-occurring disorder along with other dual diagnosis. It is an example of an anxiety-related disorder. Those with this diagnosis are three times more likely to have a substance abuse disorder. PTSD is the result of a traumatic experiences in a person’s life and 8 out of 100 Americans will have this diagnosis.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is another co-occurring disorder often found with substance abuse. It is an anxiety disorder brought on by unreasonable fear and anxiety as a result of repeated thoughts. It is characterized by compulsive activities and repetitive actions like arranging belongings or continually washing hands. Roughly one-quarter of people with OCD have a dual diagnosis of substance abuse. The earlier OCD symptoms develop, the more likely the individual will become addicted to a substance later in life.
This mental health condition is a depression related disorder. It is also referred to as “manic depression.” This condition causes intense mood swings leading to emotional highs and lows. While genetics and chemical imbalances can cause bipolar disorder, traumatic life events are also a risk factor. It is not uncommon for those with a bipolar disorder to attempt self-medication through drugs or alcohol. There is also the possibility of substance-induced bipolar disorder coming from frequent drug use causing changes in the brain.
This condition is categorized as a severe mental illness where the individual is unable to differentiate between reality and imaginary. This condition has a genetic and chemical component. Environmental factors may also play a role in its development. Roughly 50 percent of those with a schizophrenia diagnosis have some history of substance abuse. This is yet another way of self-medicating for these individuals in an effort to relieve anxiety and depression.
Integrated Drug Treatment and Mental Health Treatment
Unresolved trauma is a major contributing factor to substance abuse. It is reported that two-thirds of adult addicts have experienced some form of traumatic experience as a child, whether physical or sexual. Success in alcohol and drug rehab treatment is founded on addressing the underlying root causes of ongoing substance abuse.
In the past, it was common for the two to be treated separately,
Once the evidence that trauma and addiction are deeply connected became widely known, understanding how to treat trauma and addiction simultaneously became a priority. Trauma-focused drug rehab treatment spread and many drug treatment centers created programs to address both issues at the same time.
in both inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab programming, clients suffering from co-occurring disorders will leann coping tools and mechanisms with various addictio