Have you noticed the effects of addiction begin to pull down the quality of life of a friend or loved one? Chances are if you’re looking up ways to help them you’ve likely watched as their professional prospects have dwindled, significant others have left them, and known they are struggling to tread water. The fact that you love them enough to look into ways to help is essential. They will need your help to navigate life after rehab and detox successfully. But if you’re completely lost when it comes to how to help an addict, you are not alone. Millions of people around the country have asked this exact question. Learn how to help an addict and what you can do to improve your success in communicating with them. If you are unsure what to do, expert staff members that provide addiction treatment in Portland, Maine are available.  

Don’t Enable 

If they come to you for money, don’t blindly give them money. Instead, offer to help with what they need the money for. Perhaps they are trying to find a new apartment. Don’t just give them the cash for the apartment, as they may end up using the money to fuel their addiction. And don’t let them use their drugs around you or in your home. When you enable them to continue with their addiction around you, it makes matters worse.  

How To Help An Addict With What You Say 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to threaten or to go after an addict with overly harsh words. How you talk to them matters. Yes, you need to be firm, and you need to avoid enabling them, but if you shut them out, you may never be able to get them to trust you again. This means do not threaten or criticize them. You also need to check your mindset. Change does not happen overnight, so do not expect immediate change from your loved one. Instead, you need to focus on creating a strong bond of trust between the two of you, always be honest, and try to respect their privacy. Don’t barge into rooms and throw open doors expecting to catch them. If they can’t trust you, they won’t go to you when they need help.  

Ask For Help 

You don’t need to go about this yourself. It can be difficult seeing the changes to a loved one. It is stressful and, if you’re not careful, it may affect your own life. Due to this, you might want to consider individual therapy for yourself. Therapy can help keep your mental health at ease. It is difficult to help someone else when you’re struggling with the issue yourself.  

Don’t Force 

It is easy to want to force a better life on someone. But this will only result in them resenting you. You need for them to want to be sober. So don’t force them into it, and you should not protect them from consequences. One of the best ways to see the light is to allow a loved one to experience the consequences of their actions. Sometimes when looking at how to help an addict, you need to let them go through the downsides of their addictions. This experience might help open their eyes.  

Being There For Your Loved One 

Many addicts know they need help, but they don’t know the first way to approach someone to ask for help. They might feel ashamed of their addiction or not want to burden others with it. That is why it’s critical to do what you can for someone who is struggling with the addiction. Now that you have some pointers for how to help an addict, you will be able to take the next step in offering this assistance. With addiction treatment in Portland, Maine available, all you need to do is contact the Liberty Bay Recovery Center at 855.607.8758 today. This one phone call changes lives.  

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Don’t Show Up Too Early

A key strategy for enjoying a sober holiday is not showing up to the Thanksgiving festivities too early. You’ll find that the earlier you show up, the more likely it is that someone will try to put a drink in your hand. Instead of running that risk, simply plan on showing up right on time.

Bring a Non-Alcoholic Drink as a Gift

Many people believe that showing up to a holiday gathering empty-handed is in bad taste. When you’re looking forward to a sober holiday, why not make that gift part of your efforts? Consider bringing a non-alcoholic drink with you to share with guests. It should be something you love that others might find they prefer as well. The following are a few ideas to get you inspired:

• Ginger-cranberry sparkler
• Apple cider
• Non-alcoholic eggnog
• Fruit punch

Remember, there are many recipes for non-alcoholic beverage options with a sophisticated twist, such as mimosa mocktails and “champagne” mocktails.

Carry a Drink Around

If you aren’t excited about the idea of explaining your sobriety to everyone at Thanksgiving, carrying around a glass during the festivities is a good strategy. Having a full glass in hand tends to deflect questions while also helping you stay on track with your sober goals. Having something to sip on can also calm your nerves if a gathering without alcohol is a new experience.

Be Honest with Your Host

While you don’t have to let everyone know you aren’t drinking this year, giving your Thanksgiving host a heads up can be helpful. This provides them with some time to come up with beverage alternatives and keeps feelings from being offended. Also, just knowing your host is aware of what you’re trying to achieve can help you stick to your non-alcoholic parameters.

Phone a Friend

Setting up a support system before enjoying a sober holiday isn’t planning for failure; it’s preparing for success. To that end, be sure you have at least one sober friend lined up that you can call if you feel tempted to drink during the festivities. Together, you can remind yourself of your goals and why a sober holiday is worth the effort.

Plan a Reward for Yourself

Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that a sober holiday is going to be easy. That said, putting a reward or two in place for yourself for sticking to your plans can make it much more enjoyable. Having something to look forward to is motivational in many ways. Consider following up your alcohol-free holiday gathering by treating yourself to a massage, a baked good, or even a movie. Whatever makes you happy, use that as your focal point for getting through the day.

Liberty Bay Recovery Can Help You Enjoy a Sober Holiday

If you or a loved one has an alcohol or substance use disorder and needs help staying sober, contact our team of dedicated mental health professionals at Liberty Bay Recovery today by calling (855) 607-8758 or filling out our online form. We look forward to helping you find and maintain long-term recovery.

The post Tips to Avoid Drinking on Thanksgiving appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

These behaviors can also lead to an alcohol use disorder if excessive drinking is left unchecked. We offer an alcohol rehab program to help patients get back on track with healthy living. Call Liberty Bay Recovery today at (855) 607-8758 to learn more.

Binge Drinking Habits Among Young Adults

Among many social circles, it’s generally accepted that alcohol and young adults simply go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, this type of acceptance has led to a rise in binge drinking behaviors within this age group.

Binge drinking is the process of ingesting excessive amounts of alcohol over a short time to achieve intoxication quickly. It’s an activity that comes with a vast number of health and safety risks. Well into an individual’s 20s, the brain continues to develop. Participating in binge drinking can stunt that development and cause cognitive issues later in life. It also leads to the likelihood of a binge drinker developing an alcohol use disorder over time.

Effects of Binge Drinking on Young Adults

While younger people may recover from hangovers more quickly than older people, hangovers affect people at every age. Some of the most common effects of binge drinking can include but aren’t limited to:

• Severe headaches
• Hangovers
• Shakiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Binge drinking can also lead to a repression of the respiratory system. At its worst, this can lead to a person to stop breathing altogether.

Additional Risks Associated with Excessive Drinking

Whether young adults use alcohol in social situations or independently, there are both short and long-term risks to be looked at. Any time alcohol is involved in a social situation outside of the home, and there’s an increased risk for a young adult to be tempted to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Young adults under the influence of alcohol are more likely to take risks on the road. This could be a choice to drive while intoxicated or the impulsive decision to get into a vehicle operated by a drunk driver. In this scenario, the risk is imminent for both drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Other risks more likely to be taken by young adults using alcohol can include:

• Fights
• Swimming while intoxicated
• Self-harm
• Mixing alcohol with other drugs

The likelihood of participating in unsafe sex is also heightened when young adults use alcohol excessively.

The Importance of Teaching Responsible Drinking Habits

One of the best ways for young adults to understand healthy drinking habits is to see them modeled by someone they admire or respect. In many cases, this is a parent or a mentor. Talking openly about drinking patterns and habits is vital to developing a healthy relationship with alcohol. Those who consume alcohol should be privy to information about the risks related to binge drinking.

If young adults can’t abstain from drinking alcohol, there needs to be a plan in place to safely get out of a situation when it’s gone too far. This might be a friend or family member lined up to call. It could also be a clear-cut transportation plan for leaving a gathering with alcohol if a pick-up can’t be arranged in time.

Find an Alcohol Rehab Program at Liberty Bay Recovery Today

If you or a young adult you love is grappling with alcohol or substance use disorder (SUD), team up with professionals who care. Contact our team of dedicated mental health professionals at Liberty Bay Recovery today by calling us at (855) 607-8758 or filling out our online form.

The post Relationship Between Alcohol and Young Adults appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

Before you can help your alcoholic parent begin their recovery journey, it’s important to understand exactly what alcoholism is and how to spot it. There are a few key symptoms that most people suffering from alcoholism share, though alcohol dependency can look different among various lifestyles.

Is your loved one suffering from alcoholism? Call Liberty Bay Recovery at (855) 607-8758 if you have any questions about our alcohol rehab programs for an alcoholic parent.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is characterized as a dependency on or addiction to alcohol as well as the behaviors that typically accompany such a dependency. Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in the country, with over 17 million adults struggling with alcohol dependency.

The symptoms of alcoholism and alcoholism’s effect on family vary case by case. Some alcoholics can be described as “high-functioning.” This type can carry out everyday tasks, such as working a job and caring for family members, yet rely on the effects of alcohol to cope emotionally. Alcoholics that are low-functioning will often exhibit symptoms like:

• Extreme mood changes and irritability
• Making drinking a priority over other responsibilities
• Drinking in secret or alone
• Memory loss or blackouts
• Social or familial isolation
• Inability to hold a job

Though alcoholism can look different depending on the person, the children of high-functioning and low-functioning alcoholics can be significantly affected negatively. Plus, high-functioning alcoholics may still exhibit symptoms similar to those that low-functioning alcoholics often experience.

Alcoholism: The Effects on Family

When children live with and are dependent on their parents, alcoholism can lead to serious neglect and abuse cases. However, even when children become independent, their parent’s alcoholism can still affect them in various ways.

Many adult children of an alcoholic parent struggle with feelings of resentment due to the neglect, abuse, or embarrassment they’ve experienced from their parent over a period of years or even throughout their entire life. Additionally, children of alcoholics tend to have low self-esteem due to the experience of feeling unloved or uncared for by their parents.

How to Help Your Alcoholic Parent Get Help at Liberty Bay Recovery

Alcoholics cannot be forced to change or even recognize their dependency. The best thing that children of an alcoholic parent can do is help their parents see that they have a problem and provide support for their recovery journey.

Bringing up such a difficult conversation can feel overwhelming and scary. However, it’s important to remember that the potential positives of the conversation generally outweigh the potential negatives. If you are worried that your parent could become reactive or even violent, it’s best to have another trusted family member or close friend with you.

Make sure to broach the subject at a time when your parent is not intoxicated. Don’t try to convince your parent that they have a problem; just express your concern about the possibility of it. Be clear about the concerning behaviors you’ve noticed and allow your parent to respond. If they aren’t receptive, try to have them agree to another conversation about it in the future.

The road to recovery from alcoholism is already difficult, so we make it easier with personalized treatment options, including:

• Detox
• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient (IOP)

Call Liberty Bay Recovery Center at (855) 607-8758 to learn more about alcoholism’s effects on family and how you can get your alcoholic parent help.

The post Getting Treatment for an Alcoholic Parent appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

The difficulties of recovery can be compounded, however, when you find yourself in certain situations. For example, if recovery from alcohol addiction is your goal, you may find it particularly challenging to spend time in settings where alcohol is present and abundant, especially in the early stages of your treatment. The team of addiction specialists at Liberty Bay Recovery can help you with tips to stay sober over the 4th of July holiday. Reach out today for sober activity ideas by calling (855) 607-8758.

Staying Sober at Alcohol-Dependent Events 

There are many holidays celebrated throughout the world that are focused on unity, peace, gift-giving, or simply spending time with family. In many cases, the original intent of a holiday has been skewed to prioritize different activities than were originally intended. For example, many holidays such as Thanksgiving, Cinco de Mayo, and Independence Day seem to have become more focused on the food (and the drinks) than giving thanks or celebrating independence.

If you’re currently on a sobriety journey and are hesitant about participating in events that may tempt you to relapse, you’re not alone. Many people regularly struggle with maintaining sobriety, especially on July 4th where inebriation is socially accepted and even expected. However, many strategies could help smooth your experience and allow you to enjoy the holiday without fear of relapse. 

Tips for Maintaining Sobriety on Independence Day

If you’re feeling unsure about taking part in the Fourth of July festivities while on your sobriety journey, here are some helpful tips to center your focus away from alcohol and onto all of the other enjoyment that comes along with holidays. 

Take on a Food-Related Responsibility

Though the Fourth of July is a day to drink without abandon for some, it’s also a day to eat delicious food—and a lot of it. Make a fun and delicious dip, side dish, or dessert to bring to the gathering that you’ll be able to look forward to sharing. If you’re comfortable, you could even take on the role of grill master and, therefore, won’t have much time to consider grabbing a drink.

Attend a Meeting That Day

If you utilize resources like group recovery meetings to encourage your sobriety, the day of a party with alcohol present is a great day to attend. First of all, encouragement from others in the program will make staying sober a lot easier. You’ll be able to focus on your priorities and receive much-needed support before facing any difficult situations. 

Celebrate with Like-Minded Friends and Family

If the people you’re celebrating Independence Day with don’t understand or respect your journey to sobriety, you’re much more likely to face a potential relapse in a tempting situation. Ensure that the people you’re spending the holiday with are in full support and want to actively help you maintain sobriety. 

Host a Sober Party

If you think that attending a party with alcohol may simply be too much for you at this point, consider throwing a Fourth of July party to celebrate you and your sober friends specifically. Your event will be completely temptation-free, and you’ll feel more control over your situation. 

Find Your Sobriety at Liberty Bay Recovery Center

Whether you need residential detox treatment, intensive outpatient services, or community outreach that will help you stay sober, you can find the right path at Liberty Bay Recovery here in Portland, Maine. We offer the following addiction recovery programs:

• Men’s rehab 
• Partial hospitalization program
• Women’s rehab
• Residential rehab

Contact Liberty Bay Recovery Center for more information by calling (855) 607-8758 or using our online form.

The post Staying Sober over 4th of July appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

At Liberty Bay Recovery, we understand the codependent relationship that can exist between users and even loved ones and the detriment that these relationships have on long-term recovery goals. We have developed programs and services to treat those who suffer from substance use disorder and codependency. Find out how to recognize signs of codependency and get on the right track to living the life you want by calling (855) 607-8758.

Recognizing Signs of Codependency

Codependent relationships are not healthy, and one or both parties may further develop low self-esteem and a decreased feeling of self-worth. It is important to recognize the signs of a codependent relationship so you can take the necessary steps in ridding yourself of the one-sided situation or helping a friend or family member who may find themselves in a codependent situation.

Avoiding Conflict

A person in a codependent relationship will do everything they can to avoid upsetting or getting into a conflict with the taker in the relationship. The giver may feel like they have to beat around the bush or walk on eggshells to not disturb or upset the other person.

Constantly Checking In

The giver in a codependent relationship may feel the need to constantly check in with the taker. Along the same lines, the giver may feel unable to do anything without first asking for and receiving permission from the controlling one in the relationship.

Frequent Apologies

Another common sign of codependency is when the giver in the relationship frequently apologizes to the taker even if they did not do anything wrong. This can be seen after conflicts between the two where the giver apologizes to avoid further confrontation.

Doing Things They Would Not Usually Do

If you notice that somebody in an unhealthy relationship is doing things that they would not usually do to please the other person, they may very well be in a codependent relationship. This is another sign that generally takes place as a way for the giver to avoid confrontation.

Feeling Sorry

Feeling pity and sorrow toward the taker in a relationship is another sign of codependency. The giver puts their feelings on hold to please and avoid conflict with the other party. This often results in the giver feeling responsible for helping the other person even if there is no way for them to help.

Learn How to Recognize Signs of Codependency at Liberty Recovery Center

Codependent relationships can happen between two or more people and should be recognized by friends or family. When drugs or alcohol are involved, codependency can exacerbate the problem and even prevent users from receiving the drug treatment they need for the following types of substance use disorder:

• Alcohol addiction treatment
• Prescription drug addiction treatment
• Heroin addiction treatment

At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, our experienced counselors and therapists work with family and loved ones in a family and group program to address codependency issues and start everyone involved on the road to recovery. Find out more about the evidence-based therapy options available at Liberty Bay Recovery Center by calling (855) 607-8758 or using the online form.

The post Learning to Recognize Signs of Codependency appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

How to Stop Being an Enabler

If you have lived with a friend or a loved one with addiction in Maine or elsewhere, then without your knowledge, you may have intentionally or unintentionally contributed to their addiction. Enabling drug addiction is risky as it delays important addiction treatment services and has significant repercussions on the quality of life and health of an addict. It is important to stop being an enabler so that loved ones can receive the care they deserve. 

What Constitutes an Enabler

Most enablers are not even conscious that they are encouraging others to use drugs or alcohol. In providing support to a loved one with addiction, they may inadvertently be contributing to the use of drugs and alcohol. While enablers may have the best of intentions, in the end, they serve no benefit to anyone. 

There are a number of signs that you need to stop being an enabler. These include:

• Rationalization of addiction behaviors
• Dealing with the problems of addicts for them
• Failure to recognize destructive behaviors and attitudes
• Making excuses for their actions 
• Defending their addictive habits

Stop Intervening or Rescuing Them

If you protect your loved ones by making excuses for them, you are facilitating their addiction. The effects of their actions must be brought to their attention. If you really love the person, allow them to handle their own problems, and gain awareness of the consequences of their actions. Encourage your loved one to attend a substance abuse support group.

Be Firm with Your Decisions

Establish your limits and stick to them. It is time to act if you have been threatening to leave your loved one if they do not seek help. Follow through on your decisions and do not look for excuses not to act. Think of your loved one’s well-being and the possible consequences of their addiction. You need to be bold and face problems head-on. 

Do Not Deal with Their Problems

Cleaning up the messes of addicts is one of the most common ways that people enable addiction. Addicted individuals feel as if their conduct is not as bad when others are actively engaged in damage control. Only when someone faces the consequences of their actions do they realize the extent to which their behaviors are unhealthy. 

Do Not Offer Financial Support

Offering financial assistance is normally a way of showing you care for someone. When it comes to supporting an addict, offering financial support does little beyond making problems worse. Providing resources for an addiction does not provide any positive benefits and simply leaves you in a weaker position to help with more important future emergencies. 

If you are looking at providing financial support to someone who abuses drugs or alcohol, consider effective rehab programs in Maine or elsewhere to show your loved one that you care. 

Liberty Bay Can Help

Enabling someone doesn’t mean that you accept their actions. It normally happens as a loving gesture in which you attempt to help your loved one. However, the result is that you are simply prolonging the physical and mental damage that they experience as a result of their addiction. Therefore, it is crucial to stop being an enabler. Reach out to our experienced team of professionals for expert advice. Call Liberty Bay at (855) 607-8758 today.

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Alcohol Takes Precedence Over Your Relationships

It is ordinary for loved ones to be more valuable in our lives than any substance. However, if you begin behaving in a manner to suggest otherwise when it comes to drinking, then seek professional help. In any relationship, the other party needs to feel loved and cherished. But alcohol use makes you the last person to realize how your actions damage those close to you. Even if there is a close connection between you and those you care about, the desire to drink can ruin everything. Alcohol takes precedence over your loved ones, making you forget important dates or cancel appointments because of a hangover.

Alcohol Alienates You From Loved Ones

Any relationship needs spending quality time together, especially doing things you both love, but alcohol abuse makes this problematic. When you are battling an alcohol use disorder, the condition alienates you from loved ones. For instance, you may start avoiding activities that don’t involve drinking. If a loved one with addiction is hiding the habit, watch out for common alcohol abuse signs, such as spending a lot of time drinking and partying. So, how is alcohol harming relationships in such cases? The more you spend time away from your family, friends, and other valuable people in your life, the more you grow apart from each day.

Alcohol Causes Many Arguments

If you choose to drink instead of solving existing problems through a dual diagnosis treatment center in your relationships, these problems get worse. Relationships that lack proper communication have more arguments, and heavy alcohol use causes people to lash out verbally and physically. When you seek refuge in alcohol abuse, people who care about you may become preoccupied with your mental and physical wellbeing. When your loved ones begin to have such feelings, your relationship is deteriorating. Most alcohol-related arguments develop into conflicts about deeper underlying issues, leading to a breakdown in relationships.

Alcohol Abuse Changes Your Behaviors

Although people do not behave the same when drunk, it is common for heavy drinkers to create an uncomfortable environment around their loved ones. For example, drinking can lower your inhibitions, making you promiscuous, irritated, and violent. You also risk engaging in dangerous behaviors, like driving while intoxicated, gambling, or even stealing. Such conduct destroys relationships. Even if a change in your behavior is not too dramatic to cause a traumatic event, your loved ones may still notice. It can permanently water down their trust and opinions about you, especially in intimate relationships. If you have a loved one with addiction problems, please talk to them about the need for treatment before their drinking destroys your relationship.

Is Alcohol Harming Your Relationships? Seek Professional Help

If you are continually asking this question, visit an alcohol rehab center today for professional help. Rehab centers offer various evidenced-based treatment programs, including:

• A medically-assisted alcohol detox program
• Codependency treatment program
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Residential addiction treatment
• Bipolar disorder treatment in Portland

Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Liberty Bay Recovery Center

Is alcohol harming relationships in your life? There is no better time than the present moment to seek professional help from our experts. The earlier you treat your alcohol use disorder, the sooner you can save your damaged relationships. If you have a loved one with an addiction to drinking, organize a medical intervention today. Contact Liberty Bay Recovery Center at (855) 607-8758 to get started.

The post Is Alcohol Harming Your Relationships? appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

If you want to achieve optimal results, you need to consider the best counseling options available today. To know more about the various types of addiction therapy services in ME, consider the important information below.

Group Therapy 

For many, substance abuse support groups are one of the most effective counseling options for you. True to its name, group therapy in ME involves two or more people, and groups can either be single-gender or mixed. Most of the time, single-gender therapy groups discuss problems that are more prevalent to them, such as sexual issues. Meanwhile, mixed-gender therapy groups do well in broadening the perspective of their attendees.

Group therapy is a top choice for counseling in ME because it helps cover many subjects. Hearing the struggles of other people whom you can relate to will also help you conquer your challenges. Think of group therapy as a mountain climbing adventure. But instead of being alone in your journey, you encounter a different person every few meters to help you reach the top. 

Family Counseling

You started living your life with your family. So, it makes sense to involve these people in your road to recovery. Family therapy can be an extremely effective form of therapy to help individuals develop a healthy and functional life. 

This form of counseling is designed to address particular issues that affect the dynamics and functioning of a family. It is one of the best counseling options that help families get through a difficult hurdle or a major transition, especially when it involves family members that are going through substance dependency or who need a dual diagnosis treatment program.

Family counseling is unique because it views the issue at hand as a larger unit – through the context of a family. It believes that problems won’t be addressed or solved if the members of the group do not understand each other. 

Couples Counseling

Couples counseling is one of the most helpful counseling options that can resolve problems in a relationship, especially those that involve substance use problems concerning one or both partners.

In this therapy session, the couple attends a session with the same counselor together. The professional’s role is to allow both people to air out their point of view and identify their goals. Counselors give feedback, and in most cases, provide homework for the couple involved. 

Individual Counseling

In this counseling option, patients work one on one with a professional to help them identify the underlying causes of their current condition. The process is committed to peeling back all the layers of a person’s struggle that contribute to their physical or emotional dependence on drugs or alcohol. Topics that often get addressed include:

• Family history
• Abusive relationship
• Financial problems
• Peer pressure
• Poor social skills

Individual counseling is also one of the most important parts of residential rehabilitation programs, alongside detox. Because counseling is performed privately, professionals are not permitted to share whatever they discuss during the session. This makes it a top choice for people who are uncomfortable sharing their thoughts in large groups. 

Liberty Bay Counseling

In many cases, patients are encouraged to take part in two or more counseling options to determine which one is better for them.  Whether or not they choose to push through with one type or not, the important thing to keep in mind is to not stop trying. Here at Liberty Bay Recovery, we can help you conquer your addiction. Call Liberty Bay at (855) 607-8758 today for more information on options for therapy in ME.

The post Different Counseling Options for Addiction appeared first on Liberty Bay Recovery Center.

How ACE Scores Measure Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma is a traumatic experience that occurs from ages 0-18. It has an enormous impact on one’s development, perception of the world, and even one’s psychology. In 1995, researchers performed a study exploring the relationship between childhood trauma and health issues experienced later in life. They used a tool called the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Assessment, a 10-question survey, to measure the abuse, neglect, and overall adverse childhood experiences that participants had lived through. After completing this quick assessment, researchers assessed participants’ broad adult health history.

With this information, scientists measured the significance between participants’ ACE score and their health history. The findings were incredible. For participants who had scored 4/10 or greater, meaning they had experienced 4 or more listed traumas during their childhood, their risk of health issues increased exponentially. Some of these problems include:

• Substance abuse
• COPD
• Depression
• Liver disease
• Intimate partner violence
• STIs
• Smoking
• Suicide attempts
• Unintended pregnancy
• Teen pregnancy
• Early initiation of smoking and sexual activity.

This study proved and measured the scientific link between childhood trauma and health-related issues through adulthood.

How Does Childhood Trauma Relate to Substance Abuse in Adulthood?

Researchers have performed extensive research on the long-term effects of childhood trauma. One important factor to consider is that childhood, especially early childhood, is the most crucial time in a human’s brain development. Children are the most vulnerable to outside influences which will contribute to permanently shaping their brain.

Studies show that exposure to traumatic stress in childhood negatively affects neurodevelopment in children. This causes changes to the structure and function of many crucial areas in the brain. This, in turn, reduces the functionality of these regions and leads individuals to experience issues such as:

• Emotional regulation
• Memory
• Aggression
• Stress responses
• Sexuality
• Substance abuse

Children with higher ACE scores experience more traumatic stress, which indicates a higher risk of problems with brain development. Researchers link higher ACE scores to early alcohol abuse, which decreases functionality while the brain is still developing and vulnerable. Decreased functionality of some areas of the brain can make coping with stressors, regulating one’s emotions, and controlling impulses even more difficult. Sometimes, this leads to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.

The Cycle of Abuse Within Families

Researchers found that the relationship between ACE scores and alcohol abuse is strong. Many children who grew up with an alcoholic have also experienced adversity such as violence, neglect, sexual and emotional abuse. Witnessing all of this violence leads to higher ACE scores for these individuals.

Individuals with high ACE scores are also more likely to suffer from intimate partner violence in adulthood, marrying an alcoholic, and alcohol addiction. This risk, along with the risk of coping mechanisms that they observed during childhood, shows how the cycle of abuse and substance abuse can repeat within families.

Of course, substance abuse in adulthood is often a result of a lack of effective coping skills for one’s trauma. Many survivors of childhood abuse were not given tools as children to effectively cope with their trauma. Often, the people who normally supply those skills are the ones causing their abuse. If and when these children make it to adulthood, their trauma is often brushed off or ignored, and they are often faced with the pressure of surviving in adulthood with the abilities and resources available to them. They are then pushed into coping with their issues on a daily basis to survive instead of resolving their trauma in a healthy way. Many times, a lack of resources and coping skills leads survivors to believe that facing and resolving their childhood trauma is too difficult or even impossible. This leads them to “escape” through substance abuse instead.

What Should I Do if I Have a High ACE Score?

If you have experienced a great deal of childhood trauma, that does not mean you will inevitably suffer from addiction. Everyone is different. This study only revealed that addiction and adverse childhood experiences are correlated, not that they are intrinsically linked.

Seek Therapy

A great first step to take in recovering from childhood trauma is to seek help from a trained professional. Some therapists specialize in trauma. These individuals are experienced and knowledgeable about trauma recovery and can help guide you through that process. They can also teach you valuable coping skills. These skills will be helpful to combat stress and conflict in a healthy way. Therefore, you can feel confident in your ability to handle stressful life situations without turning to self-destructive means.

Have A Support System

Additionally, having a support system such as friends, family, case-workers, or other trusted professionals is an important aspect of recovering from trauma. If you feel like you are in over your head, you can fall on your support system to help meet your needs.

How Liberty Bay Recovery Center Can Help

If you grew up in a family with a history of substance abuse and addiction, you can break the cycle. Recognizing the problem is the first step in creating change. If you are here, you have probably already started the work to do so. The next most important step is to see a professional to work through your trauma. This will help you become more aware of the ways you may perpetuate unhealthy learned behaviors. Therapists who do cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with clients can help them to work through these ideas and essentially “re-wire” the brain to create alternative pathways to those created by trauma. If you truly want to break the cycle, and you are willing to invest the work necessary, then you can overcome the cycle of addiction within your family.

If you are currently suffering from addiction, help is out there. There are treatment facilities, such as Liberty Bay, that exist to help you recover and reach your full potential. In a treatment facility, one component of your care should include meeting with a therapist one-on-one for regular sessions. They can help you work through underlying causes for your addiction, such as childhood trauma. A trained professional will guide you through the healing process and help you to patch up the untreated wounds that may feed your addiction. At the same time, you should receive treatment in a group setting as well.

You Can Recover From Childhood Trauma and Addiction. Happy Recovery.

At Liberty Bay Recovery Center, our therapists do great work uncovering and helping to heal wounds that contribute to our residents’ substance abuse issues. By treating underlying causes as well as the addiction, our multi-faceted approach helps people reach long-term recovery.

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