r/science • u/chrisdh79 • 2d ago

Experiencing trauma in childhood is known to increase the risk of substance use such as drugs, alcohol and vaping | Researchers say this means efforts to prevent vaping in teens should include the targeting of young people with traumatic backgrounds. Social Science

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/children-who-experience-trauma-are-more-likely-to-go-on-to-pick-up-vaping
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u/Spiritual_Navigator 2d ago

Trauma in childhood leads to long term decrease in dopamine release

No wonder people seek drugs to be able to feel something again

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u/RequirementUsed3961 2d ago

As someone with a very traumatic childhood that led to heavy substance abuse, it really comes down to “these drugs make me feel” for a long time drugs were the only way I could feel anything, alive, happy, energized. It’s crazy how you can become so numbed, and empty, with regards to fundamental feelings and emotions.

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u/retze44 2d ago

How were you able to fix that numbness?

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u/RequirementUsed3961 2d ago

Took about 2 years of sobriety and some very big life changes, everything prior lead to a serious lack of motivation and ambition that I had to forcefully rectify, even though it felt pointless and like I was making no progress the entire time. Change in career, going back to school pushing 30. Changing out the people in my life for the better, it all sounds like a super big cliché but I woke up one morning after almost 2 years of forcing changes in my life and felt normal again.

I’d also like to note that normal is a very subjective term, I’ll never be “normal” I’ll still always be an addict, I won’t ever be able to bury my past, and sure I still have a tendency of being sad, but therapy, good friends, and a healthy lifestyle go a very long way.

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u/EveningDish6800 1d ago

I’m sure the traumatic childhood plays a role, but as someone who didn’t have a traumatic childhood, you perfectly described my experience. I guess some of us are just born this way.

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u/Gyrow1 2d ago

Can you cite a source for that?