Many people will tell you exactly what influenced them to do drugs. Others may not be able to tell. They just found themselves using drugs. It can be because they were coping in stressful situations. Then slowly, they fell into substance addiction and became part of 2% of the world population that is battling addiction. Studies indicate there is a close link between childhood trauma and addiction. This could be a possible explanation for addicts who do not understand their cause of addiction. At Atlanta Center for Mental Health, our dual diagnosis treatment center helps you overcome both childhood trauma and addiction at the same time.
Types of Childhood Traumas
Traumas vary and events leading to these traumas will determine their nature. Childhood traumas can affect someone even in their childhood. They will influence your behavior if you do not get treatment early enough. Some traumas include:
Community Violence
A child’s environment will influence their future behavior. Community violence is the intentional exposure of a child to acts of violence committed by people not related to them. This may make them grow to be fearful.
Complex Trauma
Complex trauma results from exposing a child to multiple traumatic events. These events are usually pervasive and invasive. They can have a long-term effect on the child. Complex traumas can affect the child’s development and sense of being.
Early Childhood Trauma
This kind of trauma affects kids between 0 -6 months. Many people assume kids in this age group cannot suffer from trauma. The reason being the child cannot verbalize or react to the event as an adult. Events that threaten children affects their life. Later on, they will show the signs of trauma but they may not be able to understand what causes it.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse refers to an adult using a child for sexual stimulation. The abuse can involve either touching or non-touching behavior. Non- touching behavior could be through acts of exhibitionism and voyeurism. Children who undergo this form of abuse may not develop well sexually.
Traumatic Grief
Death causes traumatic grief. Children can get over the death of a loved one. But others do not have this capability. Such trauma makes it hard for the child to carry on with their everyday lives. This trauma can make the child harbor upsetting memories of the loved one. If your child is struggling with the death of a loved one, seek an individual therapy program or a family therapy program.
Childhood Trauma and Addiction
Trauma shapes our development. If a child fails to get over traumatic events, they may carry it into adulthood. The effects of the trauma may not show during childhood. Sometimes they can just be mild. But during adulthood, these effects become overwhelming. They begin to influence the behavior of the victim.
Victims may end up turning to drug use to cope with their state. For others, this trauma leads to the development of mental health disorders such as depression. They may then turn to substance use because of these secondary effects. Consequently, they end up becoming addicts after some time.
Treatment at Atlanta Center for Mental Health
Our residential mental health treatment program tackles both childhood trauma and addiction disorders. Some of these programs include:
- Depression treatment program: Trauma and addiction can lead to depression. The program will help you get over the depression.
- Anxiety treatment program: You might develop anxiety disorder because of addiction or trauma. The center diagnoses and treats this disorder if you are suffering from it.
- Alumni support program: A support program that enables you to receive aftercare treatment. Through the program, you can connect with other people who are recovering as well.
- Dual diagnosis treatment: This entails the diagnosis and treatment of both addiction and mental problems. This program is accompanied by forms of treatment such as expressive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma-focused therapy.
Call Us Today
A combination of childhood trauma and addiction can be detrimental to your health. But do not despair. You can get over them. Do this by joining a treatment facility for professional help. You can also call Atlanta Center for Mental Health at 833.625.0458. We will help and be with you in these trying situations.
