How Emotional Trauma Affects the Brain

Nearly half of children maltreated during childhood ended up with depression, addiction or both according to a University of Texas research study. Emotional abuse, rape, sexual assault, the death of a loved one, being the victim of a crime or accident, and catastrophic natural disasters are all examples of traumatic events that may have an impact on addiction. Check out our research page here under “Addiction” for a new resource for families on understanding how trauma affects the brain and the link to substance use.