Children are resilient, it’s true. However, they are also at the highest risk when it comes to suffering life-long after-effects of trauma. Childhood trauma is a direct path to substance abuse and often addiction if left untreated. However, help is available. There are more resources than ever before when treating and healing the effect of childhood trauma. Also, childhood trauma is a leading indicator of developing addictions as a teen or young adult. If your child has experienced trauma, then it’s time to find a trauma therapy program.
At Fort Behavioral Health, we are experts in trauma therapy and provide a trauma therapy program for children and teens that can help them begin to heal. Learn more from our Fort Behavioral Health team today by calling 844.332.1807 or filling out our online form.
What Is Childhood Trauma?
Childhood trauma is any trauma that occurs during childhood. It can be tempting to chalk many traumatic experiences up to simply being a part of life. There are many common modes of denial that adults fall prey to when it comes to acknowledging and treating childhood trauma.
Often, children experiencing trauma also experience compounding or multiple traumas. The more traumatic experiences a child experiences, the more likely the experiences will have a prolonged negative impact in adulthood if left untreated. Children may not recognize these experiences as traumatic themselves but may instead turn to act out or self-harm. Childhood trauma is often referred to as adverse childhood experiences (ACES). These experiences can be strong indicators of future mental health disorders, substance abuse, and addiction.
Some common examples of childhood trauma include:
- Experiencing physical, verbal, or sexual abuse
- Experiencing neglect
- Witnessing abuse
- Losing a parent to separation, divorce, or death
- Bullying
- Experiencing hunger
For children experiencing trauma or who have experienced a traumatic event, early intervention can make all the difference when it comes to healing.
Breaking the Cycle of Childhood Trauma and Addiction
One of the essential steps in breaking the cycle of childhood trauma and substance abuse is to seek treatment during childhood. If left to their own devices, children who have lived through one or more adverse or traumatic experiences most often turn to substance abuse. This leads to addiction and the perpetuation of childhood trauma into the next generation.
To break the cycle of childhood trauma and addiction for your children, the most effective action you can take is to find a trauma therapy program that works for your family and stick with it. Trauma therapy programs offer healing and tools to cope with childhood trauma in a healthy way going forward, therefore, reducing the risk of substance abuse and other unhealthy coping mechanisms down the line. A trauma therapy program may include therapeutic support for guardians and other family members as well. For the child to heal, they must see it modeled in family members or role models as well.
Overcome Childhood Trauma and Addiction at Fort Behavioral Health
If you are ready to take the critical step of breaking the cycle of childhood trauma and substance abuse, Fort Behavioral Health is here for you. Our large and welcoming facility in Fort Worth, Texas, is a clean and safe environment where you can begin the healing process. Our professional, bilingual staff is experienced in working with children and families to overcome the adverse effects of childhood trauma. We are here to help you and your family live a full and healthy life.
Reach out to our Fort Behavioral Health team today by completing our online form or calling 844.332.1807. Trauma doesn’t have to hold you back anymore. Let our team become part of your team when you contact Fort Behavioral Health today.
