Understanding the Link Between Trauma and Addiction

In this course, Dr. Amanda Giordano, Associate Professor of Counseling at the University of Georgia, traces the neuroadaptations made by the brain upon encountering drugs of abuse or behavioural addictions, and shows how both positive and negative reinforcement work to change the reward circuitry of the brain, engendering addiction. Describing the effects on the body of stimulants, depressants, opioids, and cannabis, Giordano explains how the particular drug or behaviour may vary in its effects, but all have the power change the way the person feels – and trauma heightens all risk of addiction. Citing statistics to illustrate how emotional dysregulation is at the base of most addiction, the effect of trauma and addiction on each other is outlined. A proposed solution is a program that allows participants to be treated for both addiction and trauma simultaneously; Giordano describes several.