CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

Childhood Trauma Impacts Future Drug Usage and Abuse

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion3

Conclusion14

References15

Annotated Bibliography17

Childhood Trauma Impacts Future Drug Usage and Abuse

Introduction

Childhood trauma has been related to a broad variety of depressing results in maturity with mental problems, drug usage and abuse. In their studies, Covington and Kohen (1984) discovered that mature females who used drugs and alcohol faced high degrees of sexual, emotional and physical abuse in their childhood (Covington, 1984, 41-56). Actually, Approximately 63 percent to 82 percent of mature females in drug care have been abused in their childhood and experienced neglect comparing common percentages of population 26 percent to 30 percent (Kendler et al., 2000).

According to various studies, 01 in 04 children in the USA faces one possibly traumatic incident as a minimum before reaching the age of sixteen. 01 in 05 persons between 12 to 17 years of age become involved in drugs abuse. More than 70% of Adult patients obtaining substance abuse treatment have undergone a traumatic experience. Addicts who undergo a traumatic experience are 03 times more likely to be involved in drug usage and abuse. This paper discusses what effect childhood trauma has on the future drug usage and abuse of victimized children.

Discussion

Trauma can be conceptualized as both an event and a reaction. A traumatic event is one in which an individual experiences actual or threatened serious injury or death. Examples of traumatic events include military combat, sexual assaults (e.g., rape or child sexual abuse), interpersonal physical assaults (e.g., a mugging), natural or manmade disasters, terrorist attacks, and motor vehicle accidents. In addition to being an event, trauma can also be conceptualized as a reaction. An individual's response to a traumatic event often involves intense emotions, such as fear, helplessness, or horror. The individual's emotional response and subjective appraisal of the situation are an integral part of the definition of trauma. Thus, witnessing an event in which another individual is seriously injured or killed or learning about the violent injury or death of a family member or close friend may also be considered traumatic. (Covington, 1984)

Stress-coping theory conceives that the mode in which a individual copes with or responds traumatic conditions is significant to the lasting effect of that stressor, and variations in managing are vital sources to the regulation of psychosocial behavior. Particularly, the coping style and generally the stress theory can be employed to spell out the associations between problems in adulthood and childhood trauma. Researchers are studying the use of illicit drugs by people who were physically or sexually abused as children and adolescents. Some believe that victims of abuse use drugs to help cope with the emotional problems caused by their difficult experiences. Victims of abuse often suffer from a poor self-image, even from self-hatred. They may find that drugs provide an escape from these feelings. (Bryer, 1987)

Child abuse and maltreatment refers to physical or mental injury, inattentive conduct, or mistreatment of a child by any individual liable for the wellbeing of the ...