Abuse and trauma are generally separated. While abuse stems from a human action that makes the victim suffer, trauma usually comes from an unfortunate situation the victim never saw coming or couldn’t avoid. However, their effects on the mind and life are very similar.
Abusive homes are notorious for producing the following effects in their victims:
Seeing a loved one abused has many of the same effects as the preceding list, as this tragedy constitutes psychological abuse. Also neglect is mental abuse, which leads many of its sufferers to act out with varying degrees of danger both to themselves and their surroundings. This response can be a cry for attention, a way to block out painful memories of abandonment or both. To medicate all of these things, many victims turn to drug and alcohol abuse. While this makes them forget their pain for a little while, the diminishing effects of illicit substances escalate their addictions and damage to their already unsteady lives.
Physical trauma is inflicted by abuse or accidents. If the brain is damaged, results can include the following issues:
Even if the survivor only endured wounds that healed quickly, he may still suffer any of these repercussions:
Trauma alters the way the brain develops, especially in children and adolescents who are still growing. This means they will process life differently — often negatively — than if they had never had the experience. Though children can bounce back from painful occurrences, the ones that cut deeply can bend young personalities in an entirely different way for the rest of their lives. As a result, they may turn to drugs or alcohol abuse to recover from the tax of living through trauma.
If you or your loved one has survived abuse or trauma and uses drugs to numb pain, give us a call today. Our helpline is toll free and our counselors are available 24 hours a day to answer any question you have. Let us help you find recovery from addiction, so call us now.