The Relationship Between Trauma and Substance Use

Many people who struggle with alcohol or drug use have experienced trauma in some form—whether from childhood, relationships, or life events. While substances may seem to offer relief, they often reinforce the cycle of pain and dependence.

Understanding how trauma and substance use are connected can help people make sense of their drinking or drug habits and explore healthier ways to move forward without relying on substances.

How Trauma Contributes to Substance Use

1. Using Alcohol or Drugs to Cope with Emotional Pain

People who have experienced trauma often deal with:

• Anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness

• Flashbacks, distressing memories, or difficulty feeling safe

• A constant sense of stress or being "on edge"

For many, alcohol or drugs provide temporary relief from these feelings, allowing them to escape or numb the discomfort. However, this relief is short-lived, and over time, substance use creates more emotional instability, not less.

2. The Brain’s Response to Trauma and Addiction

Trauma can rewire the brain’s stress and reward systems, making people more vulnerable to substance use. Common effects include:

• Overactive stress responses – The brain remains stuck in “fight or flight” mode, leading to chronic anxiety.

• Lower dopamine levels – Making it harder to feel pleasure, leading to increased reliance on substances for artificial highs.

• Emotional dysregulation – Difficulty managing emotions without external coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs.

This makes substance use feel like a survival tool, even when it’s causing harm.

3. Childhood Trauma and Addiction Risk

Research shows that people who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—such as neglect, abuse, or an unstable home environment—are far more likely to struggle with substance use later in life.

This connection isn’t about weakness or lack of willpower—it’s about how early experiences shape coping mechanisms. Many people who develop alcohol or drug habits aren’t consciously aware of the role trauma has played.

Breaking the Cycle: Healing Without Relying on Substances

If alcohol or drugs have become a way to cope with trauma, quitting alone can be difficult. Recovery requires learning new ways to manage emotions and developing tools for long-term change.

1. Recognising Patterns in Your Drinking or Drug Use

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I drink when I feel stressed or overwhelmed.”

• “Substances help me forget things I don’t want to think about.”

• “I don’t know how to handle my emotions without drinking or using.”

These are signs that past experiences may be influencing substance use. Identifying these patterns is the first step toward breaking them.

2. Finding Healthier Coping Strategies

Substance use may have felt like a solution, but other approaches can help manage emotions without negative consequences:

• Exercise and movement – Helps regulate stress and improve mood.

• Writing or journaling – Allows you to express and process emotions.

• Meditation and breathwork – Supports emotional balance and reduces anxiety.

• Speaking with someone you trust – Sharing your experiences can ease emotional burden.

These methods take time to work, but they help rebuild emotional resilience in a way that alcohol or drugs cannot.

3. Seeking the Right Kind of Support

Many people who want to cut back or quit drinking don’t necessarily need residential rehab—but they do need some form of structured support.

If you’re looking for help with substance use and want practical guidance without therapy or group settings, Reset My Future’s one-on-one coaching program offers:

• Personalised strategies to stop drinking or using

• Guidance on handling cravings and emotional triggers

• Support for creating a fulfilling, substance-free future

Recovery isn’t about fixing the past—it’s about building a future where alcohol or drugs no longer feel necessary.

Trauma and substance use are deeply connected, but understanding the link can help break the cycle. If past experiences have led to drinking or drug use as a coping mechanism, lasting change is possible with the right tools and support.

If you want to break free from alcohol or drug use but don’t know where to start, Reset My Future’s 12-week coaching program provides structured, private support to help you move forward.

Book a free consultation today to explore your next steps.