Individuals who grew up in a traumatic environment may display signs of trauma as adults. The same overwhelming sense of fear, loss, or anxiety experienced in childhood can also manifest in adulthood. When a person experiences childhood trauma, the after effects of that trauma can adversely affect the individual’s quality of life. And the need for mental health drug addiction will only grow.
Did you grow up in a toxic environment? Do you suspect that incidents in your childhood have negatively impacted your social, physical, emotional and intellectual development in adulthood? If so, you may require therapy for childhood trauma.
Causes of Childhood Trauma
A variety of negative repeated experiences in childhood can result in trauma, including:
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- Emotional neglect
- Growing up in a household where the primary caregiver/parent abused alcohol or drugs
- Growing up in a household where the parent/primary caregiver had a psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia or depression
- Growing up in a household where the father/her partner physically abused the mother
- Military action
Effects of Childhood Trauma
Children internalize negative experiences and start looking at the world through a biased lens. As adults, they may fear a harmless individual or suffer anxiety in a safe and supportive space. Also, their flawed interpretation of people and the world can affect their functioning in adulthood.
Some ways in which childhood trauma can affect you as an adult include:
- High levels of aggression, which can trap you in a vicious cycle of violence
- Frustration from hiding behind a mask and being unable to express your authentic self
- Negative self-talk resulting from a sense of victimhood that lingers on from your childhood days
- A passive-aggressive behavior that keeps you in an angry or agitated state for a long time
- Passivity that prevents you from taking risks and realizing your potential
Using Trauma Therapy to Lead a Positive and Enriching Life
The goal of trauma therapy is to help you cope with the after-effects of negative memories. This means gaining closure from those experiences rather than experiencing them as ongoing, which contributes to the effects stated above.
You will be able to release guilt and make peace with those responsible for causing trauma. Therapy will help you accept the reality of what transpired without any emotional reaction. It will also pave the path for successful healing and offer you a new lease on life.
As childhood trauma can lead to the need of drug addiction therapy services, it’s important to find a comprehensive treatment that also uses a trauma informed approach to treatment. For example, holistic healing encompassing education and awareness, and group therapy optimizes and fast-tracks healing.
Don’t let childhood trauma hinder your life for another day. When you’re ready to begin healing, find the comprehensive drug addiction treatment services you need today.