At first, it might seem that we’re lucky if we don’t usually discuss trauma. That’s because this means there’s a good chance we haven’t experienced trauma and don’t know anyone else who has.
If we have suffered trauma, we still might not discuss it. We could be afraid of reliving our trauma. Or, we could be worried that others will judge us harshly for discussing it, maybe saying that those topics aren’t appropriate for conversations or that we should just get over our trauma.
But not discussing our trauma or anything else is no way to get over anything. Trauma often triggers intense emotions. If we don’t address these emotions in a healthy way that can help us heal, there’s a good chance we can turn to other, less healthy coping mechanisms.
Abusing drugs and alcohol is one such coping mechanism. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that of the Vietnam veterans who have sought treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 60-80% of them have problems with alcohol use.
Similarly, one study has found that 62% of the people seeking treatment for alcohol or drug abuse had experienced physical or sexual abuse as children. Such traumatic abuse can lead to PTSD. It can also lead to substance use disorder, since people might try to use drugs and alcohol to forget their problems.
The effects of drugs and alcohol can only last so long, however. People might drink even more alcohol and abuse more drugs in order to get high or drunk. Taking a drug or drinking heavily can create more problems. Alcohol and drugs can even make some more depressed or anxious, feelings people with trauma are trying to avoid in the first place.
Skilled counselors can help people address their trauma and the problems it has caused. The counselors can also work with patients to treat substance use disorder problems.
