Generational trauma and addiction occur when families experience traumatic events or addictive behaviors that are passed down from parent to child. This can be a tough cycle to break, and studies have shown that trauma in childhood and trauma passed down in families can lead to substance abuse disorders (SUDs).
To help you on the road to drug addiction recovery in Tampa, our team at Phoenix House Florida shares in this brief article a few steps to understanding generational trauma and the connection to addiction, and how to break the cycle.
Understanding Generational Trauma and the Ties to Addiction
Before we can talk about the ways to break generational trauma, sometimes called intergenerational trauma, it is important to first understand what this type of trauma actually is.
Generational trauma is defined as “…trauma that isn’t just experienced by one person but extends from one generation to the next.”
As an example of generational trauma, we can look to family members of Holocaust survivors. Due to the severe stress suffered, the trauma and stress responses were passed down through the generations. Another example of this can be seen in families who have long histories of passing down family secrets and histories of abuse. Abuse felt in a mother can actually be passed to a child, some studies show.
Sometimes, generational trauma and addiction can look more like families who pass abusive behaviors down. For example, parents who experienced specific disciplinary methods may be more likely to use those methods on their children, which can create trauma or stress responses.
No matter the cause of generational trauma, it can be tied to addiction and addictive behaviors because of the physiological changes in the brain which may make certain people more susceptible to addiction than others.
How to Break Generational Trauma and Addiction
The most important thing you can do for yourself and future generations is to work to break the cycles of trauma and addiction. But this is easier said than done.
If you are struggling with generational trauma and addiction, the most important step is to get help from outside of your family. It may be hard for members of your family to understand the trauma you have experienced and even to address their own role in it, so it is important to seek help from a neutral third-party professional. Tampa drug addiction treatment with Phoenix House Florida can help you break the cycles that lead to generational trauma.
Where to Get Help
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse related to generational trauma, you are not alone. Drug addiction treatment in Tampa is available with Phoenix House Florida. Licensed therapists will help you address and unlock the causes behind your addictive behaviors and will work to help you address the physical, psychological, and social changes you need to succeed in your journey of recovery.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, speak with drug and alcohol treatment centers in Tampa. To schedule a consultation with Phoenix House Florida, please request an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Phoenix House Florida website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services provided by Phoenix House Florida or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.