Causes of Addiction from a Trauma Informed Perspective
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The content segments provide a comprehensive overview of addiction, its causes, and its impact on the body and mind. Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses the prevalence of addiction, highlighting statistics from the 2014 Drug Addiction Survey. She emphasizes that addiction involves using pleasurable activities or substances to escape emotional or physical pain, despite the negative consequences it may cause in various areas of life.
Dr. Snipes explains the development of tolerance and withdrawal in addiction, as well as the different theories of addiction, including the moral and disease models. She discusses the role of genetics, social learning, and environmental factors in addiction, noting that it is challenging to differentiate their impact. Poor nutrition, disrupted circadian rhythms, and trauma-related hypervigilance are identified as risk factors for addiction.
The content also explores the physiological changes in the body caused by addiction, such as imbalances in neurotransmitters and the dysregulation of the body's threat response system. Dr. Snipes highlights the impact of trauma, emotional dysregulation, and negative attitudes on addiction. She discusses the relationship between addiction and mental health disorders such as OCD and personality disorders.
Recovery from addiction is described as a process that involves addressing underlying causes of pain, developing coping skills, and creating a lifestyle where individuals do not need to escape or numb their pain. Dr. Snipes emphasizes the importance of effective addiction treatment and the role of addiction counselors in supporting individuals on their recovery journey.
The content segments provide a comprehensive overview of addiction, its causes, and its impact on th