There are many underlying causes of substance abuse and one of the leading risk factors for developing addiction problems as an adult is childhood trauma. Some studies report that over 75% of patients with substance use disorder also struggle with at least one trauma during childhood.

Understanding what trauma is, how it affects teenage development and the connection to substance abuse can help parents provide proper intervention to support their teen's long-term recovery.

What is Childhood Trauma?

Trauma is the result of an experience or multiple that sends the brain and body into fight or flight mode. During development, it disrupts chemical systems in the brain that influence pleasure and reward. Research shows that around 25% of kids in the US will experience significant trauma by the age of 16.

Causes of Childhood Trauma

There is no one single cause of childhood trauma. It can look different for everyone who experiences an event. What maybe traumatizing to one teen, may have little effect on the next. However, some of the common causes of childhood trauma include:

●    Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

●    Neglect

●    Loss of a loved one

●    Medical injury

●    Chronic illness

●    Growing up in a violent community

●    Having a parent on drugs or is mentally ill

●    Witnessing domestic violence

●    Discrimination  

●    Natural disaster

●    School shooting

Warning Signs of Trauma in Teens

The signs of trauma can be difficult to spot sometimes, especially in teens. Symptoms may mimic other mental health problems or present as behaviors that are typical for teens (mood swings, irritability, etc.).

However, if your teen is experiencing multiple symptoms below and having trouble functioning in daily life, they may be experiencing the effects of unresolved trauma.

‍Physical Signs

●    Stomach problems

●    Headaches

●    Muscle & joint pain

●    Increased heartbeat

●    Sweating or trembling

●    Change in sleep/appetite

●    Chronic inflammation

●    Increased risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, lung & heart disease

‍Behavioral Signs

●    Irritability or aggression

●    Reckless or impulsive behaviors

●    Aggression or irritability

●    Substance abuse

●    Sudden decline in school

●    Lack of interest or pleasure in things they once enjoyed

●    Extreme isolation

●    Self-harm

●    Violence or frequent fighting

Emotional Signs

●    Flashbacks or nightmares

●    Intrusive thoughts

●    Extreme mood swings

●    Sadness, hopelessness, depression

●    Panic attacks

●    Tension, persistent worrying, anxiety

●    Trouble focusing

●    Struggle with long and short-term memory

●    Difficult regulating emotions or emotional numbness  

Relation Between Trauma and Addiction

During childhood, one of our psychological needs that must be met is healthy attachment. We learn healthy attachment styles from our parents or caregivers when they meet our needs. When we build these healthy attachments, endorphins are released from the brain. Long-term stress or neglect during childhood can break the attachment process, changing how the endorphin system works. This can cause problems later in life such as low self-esteem, negative self-worth, and problems forming connections. Drugs and alcohol are often used as a way to numb the emotional pain and escape these feelings.

Trauma during development is particularly difficult to overcome as it becomes a part of our formative experiences and impacts the growth of several regions of the brain. Trauma can stunt development in the limbic system and areas that control motivation, pleasure & reward, memory, and emotional regulation.

One key part of the brain trauma effects that is directly associated with substance abuse is the nucleus accumbens. This key player in the brain’s reward cycle is responsible for feelings of pleasure. Victims of childhood trauma often turn to drugs to cope with their situations, these directly hijack this nucleus and disrupt healthy patterns of the brain’s pleasure & reward system.

How to Help Teens Suffering from Trauma & Addiction

Many treatment centers focus on addiction as the primary problem, when in reality, addiction is often their coping strategy for underlying emotional pain. Parents can provide support to their teens in several ways:

●    Actively listening and validating their struggles

●    Keeping drugs & alcohol out of the home

●    Providing structure with rules & consequences

●    Promoting mindfulness in the home (yoga, meditation, journaling, exercise, etc.)

●    Educate yourself about the reality of addiction and trauma

●    Enforce treatment and discuss the benefits of recovery with your teen

●    Stage an intervention if necessary   

Treating Trauma During Addiction Recovery

As more treatment centers recognize the importance of treating underlying trauma, this can help make addiction recovery more successful. Addiction is not the root of the problem, but rather a coping skill people use to deal with the pain.

For teens with trauma who are abusing substances, they need to receive dual diagnosis treatment. This kind of program focuses on co-occurring disorders, meaning they help break the cycle of addiction while also treating the underlying trauma.

Some common trauma treatment teens may receive during addiction recovery include:

●    EMDR: Therapy created specifically for the treatment of trauma. This uses eye movements and bilateral stimulation to help teens process emotional distress and traumatic memories.

●    TF-CBT: Trauma-focused CBT helps teens explore the roots of addiction and work through negative thinking patterns. It will also help teens set treatment goals and build a toolbox of healthy coping skills.

●    Mental Health Medication: Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or anti-anxiety meds can help improve symptoms of trauma, making it less likely for teens to turn to substances as a way to cope.

●    Music & Art Therapy: These experiential therapies can be extremely beneficial in helping teens process trauma, providing them with a creative outlet to express heavy emotions.

Florida Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment for Teens

Our addiction treatment programs at Lotus Behavioral Health are designed to support teens and their families with the tools they need to recover from substance abuse & co-occurring mental health disorders. We provide trauma-informed care at our Florida residential treatment center or flexible outpatient services to meet teens & their families at all stages of recovery.

Sources

Childhood trauma among individuals with co-morbid substance use and post-traumatic stress disorder. National Library of Medicine.

Age-Related Reactions to A Traumatic Event. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

The Nucleus Accumbens: Mechanisms of Addiction. National Library of Medicine.