Betsy Byler
Betsy Byler
Trauma and Substance Use are Bidirectional
Trauma and Substance Use are Bidirectional
Trauma and Substance Use are Bidirectional
Tuesday 5th September 2023
Betsy Byler examines how trauma and substance use influence each other, urging therapists to screen for both in their practice.
Explicit
34 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Inspiring
Educational
Thought-provoking
About this podcast
Author:
Betsy Byler
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Recovery from Trauma
Family Recovery from Addiction
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
177 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!The Two-Way Street of Trauma and Substance Use
Episode Overview
- Trauma and substance use share a bidirectional relationship, impacting individuals' mental health and susceptibility to problematic substance use.
- The Adverse Childhood Experience Study highlights the heightened risk of alcohol and drug use in adulthood for individuals who have experienced traumatic events during their formative years.
- Research underscores trauma's profound effect on brain development, stress regulation, and emotional intimacy, increasing susceptibility to problematic substance use.
- Compelling statistics from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies emphasise the substantial rates of substance use among trauma survivors.
- Betsy Byler encourages therapists to recognise the ubiquity of substance use in their practice and underscores the imperative need to screen for it, irrespective of specialisation.
Trauma and substance use have a bi-directional relationship. This is a statement that is being made by experts, not something that I just came up with.
Imagine a world where trauma and substance use are constantly influencing each other, creating a cycle that's tough to break. In this episode of 'All Things Substance', Betsy Byler dives into this complex relationship, shedding light on how these two elements interact in ways that can shape mental health and addiction. Betsy, a seasoned therapist and clinical supervisor, brings her expertise to the table, making sense of how trauma can lead to substance use and vice versa.
She doesn't just scratch the surface; she dives deep into the research, including findings from the Adverse Childhood Experience Study. This study reveals that those who've faced trauma early in life are at a higher risk of turning to alcohol and drugs later on. But it's not just about the statistics. Betsy talks about how trauma affects brain development, stress regulation, and emotional connections, making it clear why people who've experienced trauma might be more prone to substance use.
She also highlights eye-opening stats from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, showing just how widespread this issue is. Through her engaging discussion, Betsy urges therapists to recognize the importance of screening for substance use in their practice, even if it's not their specialty. By understanding this bidirectional link, therapists can better support their clients on the path to recovery.