There’s an undeniable link between trauma and addiction. Experiences of trauma can drive someone to use substances as a coping mechanism, while having an addiction can make someone more vulnerable to trauma.
Among people who have a substance use disorder (SUD), around 75% have had a traumatic event in their lives. For people who seek treatment for an addiction disorder, that number increases to 95%. The majority of individuals in this group say their trauma happened before they were 16 years old [1].
Just as addiction and trauma are integrated, so too should treatment be. Here’s how the two are related and how recovery can be possible.
Can Trauma Lead to Addiction?
Yes, research shows that trauma — especially in early life — can lead to a greater chance of addictive behaviors in later life [2]. In fact, individuals with multiple traumatic experiences are 3 times more likely to have an alcohol addiction as an adult [3].
The type of trauma a person experiences can also influence the type of addiction they are more likely to develop. For example, research shows that victims of sexual assault are more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder than people who have combat-related trauma [4].
People with trauma may use substances to:
- Escape negative thought patterns and flashbacks
- Slow down their nervous system and feel calmer
- Temporarily numb themselves
- Dissociate (especially if trauma is ongoing)
The more a person uses an addictive substance, the higher the chance they will become dependent on it. Trauma adds another complex layer because it can cause changes in the brain that can make someone more susceptible to using substances and to the seeming “rewards” of substances [5].
What Types of Trauma Are Associated With Addiction?
There are many types of trauma that are related to addiction and vice versa. Some of the most common include:
- Growing up in a household with someone with a mental health disorder
- Growing up in a household with someone with an SUD
- Childhood abuse, including emotional, physical, and sexual violence
- Being neglected or bullied as a child
- Witnessing a severe accident, such as a car accident or a natural disaster
- Being involved in an active conflict zone
- Being a victim of a crime, such as a robbery or rape
- Working in the medical field and repeatedly seeing fatal scenes
Any traumatic event can raise the risk of developing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or addiction.
Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD because they are generally exposed to more interpersonal trauma from a younger age [6]. However, men report significantly higher trauma in witnessing a traumatic event, physical assault, and childhood physical abuse [7].
Men are less likely to seek help in response to trauma, which may explain why they have higher rates of addiction [8]. Only half of men who suffer from trauma as a child try to get help as an adult [9].
Can Trauma and Addiction Be Treated At the Same Time?
Yes, trauma and addiction can be treated simultaneously, and patient outcomes can actually be improved if the two are treated at the same time, rather than separately. That’s why the majority of addiction facilities use trauma-informed counseling as part of their care [10].
Treating trauma and addiction is sometimes referred to as ‘integrated care’ or ‘concurrent care’. If a person has a dual diagnosis, that means they have a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder, which can include PTSD. Not every dual diagnosis is the result of trauma, though.
One study found that trauma-informed care led to significant reductions in substance involvement, depression, anxiety, and PTSD [10].
Treatment for trauma and addiction is always tailored to the individual, depending on their experience and exposure of trauma, their addiction(s), and other medical and social factors. Typically, trauma-informed care for addiction involves the following:
Detox helps an individual safely remove substances from their system.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) alleviates withdrawal symptoms in severe cases and lower cravings.
Evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can address the root causes of addiction and build greater emotional regulation. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can also help people process trauma in a controlled setting.
Wellness activities such as yoga and meditation for holistic healing and healthy coping mechanisms.
Aftercare includes support communities, resources such as case managers or accessible housing programs, and events to help prevent relapse and retriggering of traumatic experiences.
What Are The Benefits of Treating Trauma and Addiction Together?
There are a number of impactful benefits that emerge when trauma and addiction are treated in tandem. Research has found that integrated therapy is more effective than individual addiction counseling in reducing PTSD re-experiencing. Moreover, people who received individual addiction counseling were less likely to initiate and engage in therapy than those in integrated care [11].
Other benefits include being able to:
- Identify and understand how trauma has fueled addiction
- Heal trauma to lower ongoing harm and the risk of relapse in addiction
- Reframe negative thinking and behavior patterns
- Build coping mechanisms to manage trauma in healthy ways
- Calm the nervous system
- Recognize trauma and addiction triggers
- Receive more empathetic care that looks at the whole person, not just symptoms
Integrated Trauma And Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts
At Trinity Wellness Group, we guide you through treatment for trauma and addiction simultaneously. Our licensed team is trauma-informed and offers a non-judgmental space for you to find mental and physical stability. We tailor all our care to each person, factoring your history, where you are now, and where you want to be, into your treatment plan.
Our approaches include CBT, DBT, and EMDR; we also have MAT available when appropriate.
We believe that everyone deserves to heal and that recovery is possible. We see you as a whole person, we offer comprehensive care, and we strive for long-term positive results.
Take a step toward feeling better. Speak with our admissions team.
Sources
[1] Farrugia, P. et al. (November 2011). Childhood trauma among individuals with co-morbid substance use and post traumatic stress disorder. Mental Health and Substance Use.
[2] Felitti, V. et al. (1998). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
[3] Dube, S. et al. (September 2002). Adverse childhood experiences and personal alcohol abuse as an adult. Addictive Behaviors.
[4] Levin, Y. et al. (July 2021). The association between type of trauma, level of exposure and addiction. Addictive Behaviors.
[5] Michaels, T. et al. (June 2021). Brain reward circuitry: The overlapping neurobiology of trauma and substance use disorders. World Journal of Psychiatry.
[6] American Psychological Association. (April 2023). Women who experience trauma are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Here’s why. apa.org.
[7] Rodríguez, M. et al. (December 2023). Trauma Exposure Across the Lifespan among Individuals Engaged in Treatment with Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: Differences by Gender, PTSD Status, and Chronic Pain. Research Square.
[8] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (April 2020). Sex Differences in Substance Use. nida.nih.gov.
[9] Sigurdardottir, S. et al. (December 2013). Consequences of childhood sexual abuse for health and well-being: Gender similarities and differences. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.
[10] Walter, Z. C. et al. (February 2025). Feasibility and outcomes of a trauma-informed model of care in residential treatment for substance use. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment.
[11] McGovern, M. (January 2011). A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Individual Addiction Counseling for Co-occurring Substance Use and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders. Journal of Dual Diagnosis.