Trauma and Substance Use

Recent statistics suggest that substance misuse and substance use disorder are prevalent in the United States.

• In 2020, an estimated 40.3 million people had substance use disorder. Only 6.5% received treatment (1)
• In 2021, about 107,000 people died of drug overdoses (1)
• In 2023: (2)
• 3.1% of people misused opioids.
• 45.6% of those who drank alcohol engaged in binge drinking 
• 21.8% of people over the age of 12 used marijuana

Substance use can negatively impact those who engage in it and those around them in many ways. Because of its adverse impacts and pervasity, many researchers have begun looking into potential causes of substance use, so treatment and prevention efforts can become more effective. One consistent factor that can lead to substance use and substance use disorders is exposure to trauma (3).

There are several reasons why the connection between trauma and substance use exists.

First, trauma can cause difficulties with one’s emotions through its impacts on the brain, both making it difficult to feel positive emotions and increasing negative emotions. Through substance use, a person who has experienced trauma may be attempting to find relief from emotion dysregulation (4).

Additionally, another impact that trauma can have on the brain is negatively impacting areas of the brain involved in assessing the consequences of one’s actions, making it more likely to act impulsively. These changes may make it difficult to consider the negative long-term impacts of substance use when deciding on whether or not to use (4).

Finally, some people exposed to trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder, which has many distressing symptoms. Several studies have found that those who develop PTSD may be motivated to use substances to cope with these distressing symptoms (5), which can lead to increased problems with addiction. 

This trauma-PTSD-substance use link can be especially strong in women, according to one study of those seeking substance use treatment. This study found that PTSD predicted a higher risk of relapse in women but not in men (6). More research is needed to flesh out these results, but this is another example of how trauma can differentially impact men and women. 

Overall, researchers have found a strong link between exposure to trauma and a higher likelihood of substance misuse and substance use disorder. This link appears to be caused by a desire to cope with distressing symptoms of trauma and due to brain changes associated with exposure to trauma. 

There is hope for healing and resilience following exposure to trauma. If you or someone you know may be suffering from these negative effects of trauma, please visit the healing resources page to begin your healing journey.