Childhood Trauma and Substance Abuse

Children who grow up in an environment of substance use are commonly exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Not only are these adverse experiences linked to the development of addiction in adulthood but research also shows that they trigger changes in gene expression as a trauma response. Since the child’s genes change as a result of their environment, they are epigenetic in nature.

Interestingly, a study found that children exposed to SUD-related trauma are more likely to experience the following:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Drug use disorder
• Depression
• Suicide attempts
• Smoke nicotine products
• Poor self-reported health
• 50+ sexual partners
• Sexually transmitted disease
• Physical inactivity
• Severe obesity

The study found that children with a history of parental abuse were four to 12 times more likely to experience substance use disorders, depression, and suicide attempts. Similarly, children from abusive families were two to four times more likely to have poor health, nicotine addiction, more than 50 sexual partners, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sufferers of childhood trauma are also 1.5 times more likely to develop severe obesity or patterns of physical inactivity. 

How To Stop The Cycle of Addiction

For many families across the country, the struggle of addiction is a difficult cycle to break, but it’s not impossible. There are family resources that can help. Growing up with a parent battling drug or alcohol abuse, it is important to know that you always have a choice regarding how you will live your life.

Harsh realities and the questions people have to face to stop the cycle of addiction include:

• Will I step into the same addictive habits as my parent?
• Do I want to develop a victim mentality?
• Do I truly believe that I have no other options, or is it just easier to become like my parent?
• Will I step forward knowing I have the power to design my life around healthy, compassionate behaviors that will benefit my growth?

To whoever needs to hear this today: the struggle you have seen in your family does not need to be your own. You have the power to stop the cycle.

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction in Your Family

An estimated 25% of U.S. children are exposed to alcohol abuse or dependence in the family. Since the first meeting in 1977, Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) has worked to address the health and social problems that affect children growing up in addiction-filled households. While 12-step groups have grown throughout the U.S., these community-based groups affect members in different ways. Committed members of self-help groups for adult children of alcoholics and addiction process their childhood and alter perceptions of their family members.

To break the cycle of addiction in your family, you must accept the following:

• Toxic family dynamics influence your substance use.
• Your family shares responsibility for your substance use.
• You were negatively affected by your family’s substance abuse.
• Like all people, your parents are flawed human beings.
• You are worthy and deserving of self-forgiveness.

Transforming your worldview can help you avoid falling into the same patterns of abuse that feed the cycle of addiction in your family. Understanding the causes and effects of your parent’s alcohol or drug abuse can help you reframe your childhood experiences. For example, your parents are people too. Before you entered the picture, they lived a whole life of unique experiences likely filled with unresolved pain and trauma that continues to feed their addictive behaviors. Make peace with the truth that their path in life does not have to become yours.

Your perspective in life will determine your life path. By changing the way you look at your childhood, you can change your life and break the cycle of addiction in your family.