When people go through painful or frightening experiences — like abuse, loss, violence, or neglect — their brains and bodies hold onto that hurt in ways that aren’t always obvious. Trauma isn’t just about bad memories; it can change how someone feels about themselves, other people, and the world. If the trauma isn’t dealt with or healed, it can leave a person stuck in a cycle of pain, fear, shame, or feeling emotionally numb. And often, without even realizing it, people turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope.
At first, alcohol and drugs might seem to offer a quick fix. They can numb emotional pain, quiet down racing thoughts, help someone sleep, or temporarily make them feel more relaxed or confident. For someone who’s carrying the heavy burden of trauma, these effects can feel like a huge relief. Drinking or using substances can become a way to “escape” the uncomfortable feelings they don’t know how to handle.
But here’s the catch: while alcohol or drugs might seem to help in the short term, they usually make things worse in the long run. The brain starts to rely on these substances to feel better, which means the original emotional wounds from the trauma are never really addressed or healed. Plus, substance use can create new problems — like damaged relationships, trouble at work, legal issues, financial strain, and serious health risks — adding more layers of stress and shame on top of the original pain.
Another thing to understand is how trauma affects the brain. Trauma can put the brain on “high alert,” making a person feel jumpy, anxious, angry, or hopeless even when nothing dangerous is happening. Alcohol and drugs might feel like a way to “turn off” that constant alarm system. Over time, though, the brain’s ability to manage emotions naturally gets weaker, making a person even more dependent on substances to get through the day.
There’s also a deep emotional side to this. Trauma often leaves people with feelings of guilt, self-blame, low self-worth, and a sense that they are “broken” or different from everyone else. Alcohol and drugs can temporarily silence that inner critic, allowing someone to feel more “normal” or accepted, even if it’s just for a little while. Sadly, these good feelings are short-lived, and when they fade, the person often feels even worse than before — leading them to drink or use again to chase that relief.
Healing from trauma and breaking free from substance abuse often go hand-in-hand. If the root causes — the emotional wounds — aren’t addressed, it’s much harder for someone to stop using alcohol or drugs for good. That’s why trauma-informed therapy is so important. It helps people process the pain in safe ways, learn healthier ways to cope, and rebuild a sense of safety and trust in themselves and the world around them.
In short: when trauma is left unresolved, alcohol and drugs can seem like a lifeline. But real healing happens when the pain underneath is faced with care, support, and the right help.