Adoption Trauma & Sugar Addiction: A Connection? (Part 1) — Joan Kent, PhD

Recently I was asked to be a guest on a podcast that will be broadcast next week. (More information on the podcast as we get closer.)

 

The question I started exploring was whether early childhood trauma can result in addiction. Much research has been done on this topic.

 

It turns out the answer’s “yes.” Trauma and chronic stress can dysregulate the stress system and switch genes on and off, possibly resulting in a vulnerability to addictive behaviors.

 

Apparently, a strong link exists between exposure to trauma and substance abuse. Early trauma may increase the risk of substance use as the individual attempts to self-medicate in order to dampen mood symptoms associated with the dysregulated stress response, including continuous stress arousal, anxiety, and hypervigilance.

 

Early trauma can also disrupt levels of oxytocin, involved in attachment and emotional intimacy, as well as serotonin. This can result in attachment issues and depression.

 

Those with trauma history may be more vulnerable to addiction, since drugs of abuse offer temporary relief from the anxiety, hypervigilance, and hyperarousal. Substance use can serve as a mood regulator to lessen disturbing thoughts, suppress chronic arousal caused by elevated stress hormones, and provide a temporary state of numbness.

 

The addictive behavior may be the individual’s best attempt to cope with the biological and neurobiological effects of childhood trauma.

 

Regarding drugs of abuse, however, children – at least hopefully – don’t have access to alcohol or opioids, for example. Yet they do have access to foods, and kids’ foods are often high in sugar.

 

Part 2 will cover the aspect of the adoption trauma / addiction link that is more directly concerned with my specialty – sugar addiction.

 

Coming Soon:  Don’t miss it!

 

For information on working with food to balance early trauma and substance abuse behaviors, just contact drjoan@LastResortNutrition.com

 

Brought to you by Dr. Joan Kent, best-selling author of Stronger Than Sugar.