Authors : Jindra Samuels

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/bdh27wvd

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun723

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This thesis investigates the role of trauma as a gateway to substance use disorders (SUDs), exploring how adverse experiences—particularly during childhood—disrupt emotional regulation and lead to maladaptive coping strategies such as self-medication. Bridging the fields of forensic psychology and addiction counseling, the research employs a mixed- methods approach: a meta-analysis of existing literature and qualitative interviews with experienced addiction counselors. Findings suggest a strong correlation between trauma exposure and the onset of substance use, with post-traumatic stress symptoms often preceding dependence. Counselors report that trauma frequently initiates substance use as a form of emotional escape, which gradually evolves into chronic addiction. The results support the integration of trauma-informed care (TIC) into substance abuse treatment, emphasizing early screening, psychological safety, and evidence-based interventions like TF-CBT. By reframing trauma as a primary gateway, this thesis advocates for a paradigm shift in how addiction is assessed, treated, and understood within forensic and clinical contexts.

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