When we see someone struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, society is often quick to judge. People are tagged “weak,” “irresponsible,” or “hopeless.” But rarely do we seize to ask: What really happened to this person?
The truth is many people battling addiction are not trying to feel good—they’re trying to stop feeling pain. And that pain often comes from something deeper: trauma.
Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It can be caused by physical or sexual abuse, neglect, emotional maltreatment, domestic violence, natural disasters, accidents, the loss of a loved one, war, or even growing up in an environment filled with fear or instability.
These experiences leave emotional wounds. And unlike physical injuries, they don’t always heal on their own. If left unaddressed, trauma can change the way the brain processes stress, fear, and emotions—leading many people to seek unhealthy ways of coping.
The Cycle: Trauma → Drug Use → Addiction
People living with trauma often carry feelings of anxiety, sadness, shame, or emotional numbness. They may have flashbacks, insomnia, or feel constantly “on edge.” Without access to proper mental health care, support, or someone to talk to, many turn to drugs or alcohol for relief.
Substances can temporarily quiet the pain or help someone feel in control. But over time, the brain becomes dependent. The person needs more just to feel “normal,” and what began as a coping strategy becomes a full-blown addiction.
They didn’t choose addiction. They were simply trying to survive.
What the Research Says
Studies from around the world—especially the influential Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study—show that people who have experienced trauma, especially in childhood, are at a much higher risk of developing substance use disorders later in life. The study found that the more traumatic experiences someone had, the greater their chances of suffering from depression, anxiety, addiction, and even chronic physical illnesses in adulthood.
This pattern holds true across different cultures, countries, and economic backgrounds. Trauma does not discriminate—and neither does addiction.
What We are Getting Wrong
Many addiction treatment programs still focus only on detoxifying the body or punishing behavior without addressing the underlying emotional wounds. In some communities, people struggling with addiction are criminalized, rejected by family, or seen as morally flawed. This approach doesn’t work. In fact, it often deepens the trauma and drives people further into substance use.
What Needs to Change
To truly support recovery, we must shift our perspective and approach: It’s time to focus on,
- Public Education: We need to raise awareness about the link between trauma and addiction and reduce the stigma surrounding both.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Health workers, therapists, support groups, and rehabilitation centres should treat addiction with compassion, always asking, “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”
- Mental Health Support: Access to affordable, quality mental health care—including therapy and counselling—must be expanded, especially in underserved areas.
- Early Intervention: Helping children and youth process trauma early in life can prevent addiction and other lifelong health problems.
- Community Support: Everyone can play a role—families, schools, religious groups, workplaces—by creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
Healing Begins with Compassion
If we want to break the cycle of addiction, we must start by healing the pain that often fuels it.
- That means looking beyond behavior and recognizing the human story behind it. When someone is caught in addiction, your kindness could be the beginning of their healing.
- Listen without judgment.
- Offer encouragement. Share resources. Let them know they are not alone.
In Summary:
Drug addiction is often not about the substances themselves. It’s about deep pain, trauma, and a desperate attempt to find peace.
If we want to create real change, we need to look beneath the surface—and respond with compassion.
“Many people battling addiction are trying to escape pain, not chase pleasure. Trauma is often the invisible wound driving it. Let’s stop judging and start understanding.
#MentalHealthMatters #TraumaAndAddiction #HealingNotJudging #SupportRecovery”.
By: Maame Akua Kyerewaa-Antwi