People's past experiences, especially those from childhood, have a heavy influence on current and future choices, actions, and paths. Childhood events, like domestic abuse or substance experimentation, can impact current decisions and change lifestyles.
Many studies have dedicated research to the factors that influence substance use. Researchers find that childhood trauma and experiences shape psychological and physical development, and similar factors are found to lead to an individual developing substance use disorder (SUD) down the line. So, how can trauma or substance experimentation lead to substance abuse?
There is no one type of person guaranteed to become addicted to substances—it can happen to anyone because of habitual changes, mental impairment, trauma, experimentation, and more. On the flip side, not everyone who has these life experiences will develop SUD. However, there is a positive association between childhood abuse and substance experimentation and an increased risk of future substance abuse, especially when substances are used as a coping mechanism.
Many individuals who experienced childhood abuse or were socially subjugated to substances have difficulty controlling physical and emotional responses to stress can find themselves with SUD later in life, even if the abuse was never in the forefront of their minds. While the development of an addiction is a common result of childhood abuse or early substance experimentation, there are many reasons an individual gets stuck in addiction and many ways individuals cope with adverse childhood experiences, so one is not necessarily an indication of the other.
Childhood abuse and substance experimentation have increased risks for individuals falling into the vicious cycle of substance use. If a child experiences trauma through abuse, their neurological development suffers cognitive, social, and behavioral impairments. Additionally, if an individual is subjugated to substance experimentation due to boredom, depression, curiosity, stress, pressure, or a social event, it provides a grounding event for SUD risk.
Every individual is vulnerable at some point in their life, especially as children, and there is a critical transition or prime opportunity where substances are more likely to become a staple in their life because they first engage at a vulnerable time. Self-medicating by altering one's mind with drugs or alcohol may be the only way a child or adolescent can think of to cope with negative experiences like physical or emotional abuse. If the behavior is repeated without interference, it can lead to dependence and eventually addiction. When a child or adolescent starts relying on substances to help them heal, their brain's cognitive abilities and neurological development become hindered, resulting in a greater risk for substance abuse.
Similarly, the teen years are the prime stage for substance experimentation. Peer pressure, media influence, or just the desire to seem “cool” can drive an individual to experiment with substances. While this may start as simply a rebellious act or an occasional indulgence to fit in, it can become an addictive behavior and continue into SUD.
Children are constantly learning, adapting, and growing. The things people are exposed to as children become normal to them. For example, if a parent frequently drinks to excess or uses other mind-altering substances, their children may experience this as a normal and acceptable part of life, even if they are negatively affected by it. This may lead to a higher chance of them experimenting with drugs later on.
There is no set-in-stone method of stopping an individual from experimenting because situations like trauma can occur unexpectedly. However, education about the risks of drug and alcohol use can go a long way. This is the responsibility of both parents and educators. Teaching children and teens about the risks of substance use is not guaranteed to stop experimentation, but it can go a long way. Should a parent or other important adult figure know about a child experimenting with drugs or alcohol, early intervention is key to keeping that from developing into SUD.
While child abuse, trauma, and experimentation pose a significant risk of potential substance use, there are strategic steps to break the cycle and lower risks. Receiving appropriate guidance and therapy with substance use recovery allows each individual to get the help they deserve, regardless of the situation.
Addiction treatment centers know that to help an individual fully recover from substance use, mental health conditions and past trauma must be worked through at the same time. Guidance from a professional recovery counselor can be just the thing an individual needs to recover from the lingering effects of childhood abuse and addiction.
Children need lots of help on their journey to adulthood and when it's not provided properly, it can lead to substance abuse in some cases. Childhood abuse or substance experimentation can be a gateway to addiction. If you as a parent need help freeing yourself from substance use so that the cycle of substance abuse doesn't continue with your children, NorthStar Transitions can help. Similarly, if you suspect your child has substance use habits that need intervention, we can provide resources that can help with early intervention. NorthStar Transitions provides insights, education, guidance, and quality treatment options for individuals who want to take a step towards a healthier lifestyle. We believe that you or your loved one can be free from substance use by taking precautionary measures with informed care and support. For more information on the links between childhood abuse, substance experimentation, and addiction, reach out to NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
