There is significant evidence to demonstrate that our childhood experiences stay with us—for good or for ill—throughout our lives. When those experiences are traumatic, they can increase the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder later in life.
Those traumatic happenings are known as adverse childhood experiences or ACEs. And their impact on your life can be truly dramatic. But once we have a good understanding of the ways ACEs can lead to future problems, the more we can do to address those issues and mitigate their effects.
What Qualifies as an Adverse Childhood Experience?
The list of ACEs has expanded over the years as researchers continue to investigate what sort of traumatic events can have significant consequences later in life. The following list is long and reflects current understanding of ACEs, but it is not necessarily definitive:
- Being an immigrant
- Being bullied
- Being placed in foster care
- Domestic violence
- Experiencing Racism
- Homelessness
- Involvement with the criminal justice system
- Living in a war zone
- Living in an unsafe area
- Moving repeatedly
- Parental deportation
- Parental incarceration
- Parental mental illness
- Parental separation or divorce
- Parental substance dependence
- Physical, emotional, and/or abuse/neglect
- Witnessing abuse of a sibling
- Witnessing violence outside the home
- Zero-tolerance discipline policies at school
If you experienced one or more of these things while you were growing up, you will want to be sure to share that information with therapists and physicians—particularly if they are treating you for a substance use disorder.
That substance use disorder may, in fact, have its roots in childhood trauma. Studies show that a person with an ACE score of four (that is, who has experienced four of the situations or events on the ACEs list) is up to four times more likely than others to use alcohol or drugs and to start using them earlier in life. Those with an ACE score of four are also four times more likely to develop depression, have a seven-fold increased risk of developing alcoholism, and are twelve times more likely to seriously consider or attempt suicide.
The addition of a fifth ACE potentially has even more dramatic consequences. Those with an ACE score of five are three times more likely to misuse prescription pain meds and up to ten times more likely to use and/or become addicted to illicit drugs.
Why are ACEs so Problematic?
Studies reveal that traumatic experiences can change the very makeup of our brains. They can, for example, inhibit the function of the prefrontal cortex, which in turn inhibits impulse control. ACEs can damage the reward centers of the brain, which can make substance abuse more likely. And they can cause ongoing activation of the amygdala—the area of the brain in charge of our fear response—leading to the ongoing release of stress hormones at high and dangerous levels.
Given all of that, some experts—including Dr. Daniel Sumrok of the University of Tennessee’s Center for Addiction Sciences—believe that we should think about addiction in terms quite different than we generally do. Maybe addiction is a normal—though deeply problematic—response to adverse childhood experiences. After all, fully 92% of the patients Dr. Sumrok treats for substance use disorders have an ACE score of three or higher—and we’ve already seen the statistics related to ACE scores in the range of four to five.
Prevention When Possible, Resiliency When Required
In a perfect world, each of us would enjoy an idyllic childhood. Our parents would never make mistakes that might harm us, our living situation would be secure and pleasant, and our interactions with others would be healthy and respectful. In that world, ACEs would be exceedingly rare.
But in this world, the majority of us have likely directly experienced at least one of the items on the ACEs list. And so, building personal resilience is essential. Resilient individuals share some common traits, and these traits can be developed and strengthened over time. They include an optimistic outlook, cognitive flexibility, strong coping skills, a social network that provides support, a personal moral compass, and consistent effort toward physical wellbeing (which supports mental wellbeing).
Strengthening personal resilience—through various kinds of therapy or yoga or mindfulness, for example—can help you deal with ACEs in healthier, productive ways—and that same resilience can be a key component of your ongoing recovery.
We Can Help You Overcome Past Trauma
At St. Gregory Recovery Center, we understand how adverse childhood experiences can linger in your present—and contribute to your substance use disorder. We have the expertise to address co-occurring disorders related to childhood trauma and to help you enter your recovery journey with confidence. Your past does not have to define your present—or your future. If you or a loved one needs help, we are ready to make sure your experience with us is a positive one.
