Childhood Trauma and Substance Abuse - Essay Example

Childhood Trauma and Substance Abuse Childhood Trauma and Substance Abuse Part One Childhood Trauma Sources from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network have defined childhood trauma, as an experience that occurs in children from as early as zero to adolescent time. At times, it is never that easy to pinpoint a given reaction in younger children and infants, this is because they are unable to verbalize and end up getting severe impacts in their lives. A report compiled by Murray in 1992 stated that, early childhood trauma that begins before the age of six are the cause of long-term anxiety, depression, psychological and emotional illnesses. Causes of Childhood Trauma Mostly these children get affected from events that occur to their caregivers or parents. Even from cases where some events tend to threaten their safety, due to either violence directed to them purposely, like physical, sexual abuse or even fight at home. Could be as a result of natural disaster, accidents or war or in cases where a child is taken to hospital and given painful treatment. Child abuse was noted to be the most common type of injury from a seminar in 1992. They defined it as any form of physical, verbal or sexual abuse that makes a child feel unlovable, insecure, or endangered. Besides these, parental divorce is among the key things that can traumatize a child. Usually, the children and adolescents experience the trauma under acute or chronic events. The severe type occurs at a particular time and is short-lived. Examples are when a child loses a loved one suddenly in the family, physical or sexual assault where one is either beaten shot or even raped. The chronic types occur over an extended period. These usually give a wide range of reaction where one appears tense, they then lose trust in others, and guilt feelings ensue and later shame. Among the significant patterns of chronic trauma are, domestic violence, long-standing sexual and physical abuse (Paul, 2007). Forms of childhood traumatic experiences and their effects on both children and adolescents Cases of home fighting Fights at home are said to be a pattern of behavior that is observed to occur between two intimate partners where one exerts control over the other. It may be emotional abuse, psychological threat, sexual abuse or physical violence. As put by Collins and Tjaden (1999), domestic violence does not only occur in men and women of age but also, from dating teens in both hetero and homosexual relationships. It, therefore, occurs across the spectrum of relationships. Children get the effects of domestic violence after hearing threats to the safety of either the mother or father or even the caregiver, and these does not depend on any physical harm. These children are usually at a great risk of been predisposed to become agents of child abuse that in turn cause a significant risk to the children’s emotional, psychological and physical well-being depending on their reaction. Most children get a short-term effect that make them anxious, get sleepless nights, others experience nightmares while some; it goes to the extent of having poor concentration in schools. The long-term effects are that, most children will have physical health problems in cases where they indulge in poor feeding habits and end up losing weight. The adolescents are usually in a stage of confusion and may become juvenile delinquents, and others may indulge in alcohol and substance abuse disorders as a way of coping with stress and rising pressures from home. All these will at long last predispose them to some emotional difficulties and leave them either depressed, with post-traumatic stress disorder or anxious about their life (Karr-Morse, & Wiley, 2012). In the long run, school performance will drop because the child’s concentration gets distorted with time due to the long exposure in violence at home. Adolescents do not only get involved in home fights as witnesses to abuse of caregivers but also as individuals who may get involved in abusive relationships. These are because most females of ages 16 to 24 are taken to be vulnerable when it comes to partner violence that occurs during intimate time. Usually, most adolescents are said to hold attitudes that put it to normal when it comes to abusive and the control of relationships. Violence that occurs in most teenagers predisposes a number of them to substance abuse, victimization and low school performance when stress overwhelms them. Others either become overweight or undernourished; some become sexually active and end up risking some diseases while a good number remain with suicidal ideation (Silverman, Raj, Mucci, & Hathaway, 2001). Physical Abuse Almost all children undergo this type of trauma as a form of punishment if they do something wrong. The type of damage is considered to be among the common child maltreatment in number two. It is taken to be any form of the physical act by a caregiver that causes harm or injury to a child. Most of these children develop traumatic stress, others become so fearful to the extent that their self-esteem is lowered and never get up to say something is not right or so and so is unfair to them. These in turn puts them at risk of getting depression or anxiety that finally cause poor physical, mental and emotional development (Levinson, Shnider, Hughes, & Rosen, 2002). Symptoms and Effects Among the key symptoms reported are, that, most children respond to traumatic events in a variety of ways. Typically, most of them show a huge distress in troubled sleep that is insomnia, inability or disturbed concentration, anger, irritability. These signs get depicted when confronted by anything that tends to remind them of their traumatic experiences. In some cases, these events complicate to cause some post-traumatic stress disorders, depression, anxiety and behavioral changes. In other words, children are suffering from trauma, find it difficult to regulate their behaviors and emotions and these usually depict a regression in their functioning and behavior. The cognitive aspect shows poor verbal skills, where the memory of the children get impaired, which in turn makes them unable to concentrate or learn properly in school and finally weaken their skills development. Part Two Substance abuse or drug abuse is the use of a substance in amounts that cause harm to them or others. Most people use substance abuse either due to pleasure or addiction and feel uneasy to do without it (Lewis, Dana & Blevins, 2009). A good number of women use alcohol for recreational purposes before they become pregnant while others use drugs due to the addition or psychiatric issues. Children given birth by mothers who drink alcohol develop fetal alcohol syndrome that makes them have growth problems of unusual facial features and intellectual disability. Other drugs cause malformed hearts, brain, kidneys, and bowels. Also, children born of mothers who take alcohol and smoke cigarette are at risk of developing sudden infant death syndrome (Zagon, & Slotkin, 1992). Maternal drug abuse as stated by Medline Plus, refer to parents who use a number of drugs be it chemicals, alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy. Effects More effects begin as early as when the fetus is in the uterus. These depend on the abuse state of the mother in drugs. The mother may damage her organs within the uterus and that of the fetus to cause placenta Previa or abruption which is known to reduce sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. These in turn predisposes the fetus to prematurity and miscarriage. Also, with excessive passage of chemicals through the placenta, the fetus may have some developmental birth defects as will b evident from a number of drugs effects. Some of the neonatal medical complications of maternal substance abuse are cases where infants are given birth when dead, abstinence syndrome of the neonates and respiratory distress. Effects from Alcohol Increased use of alcohol causes increased and fast rates of abortion, babies born with low weights, mothers dying in times of pregnancy and placenta abruption, ammonites and a threefold increase in preterm deliveries. Some researches done show that the alcohol tends to impair the function where the placenta transfers essential components or nutrients like amino acids and zinc to the offspring. These in turn increase the risk of intrauterine growth restriction. It happens when some proteins get barred from been synthesized. In the spiritual aspect, the same way nutrients cross the placenta to the fetus, so does the alcohol content consumed. It is said to cross the placenta at the same level the maternal blood content does and cause serious effects in the dysfunction of the nervous system. These leaves an infant mentally disabled where the brain is unable to execute various commands of writing, walking or even reading to comprehend (Reviere, 1996). Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) predisposes a child to mental retardation. Usually, the child presents with varying degrees of craniofacial dysmorphic, altered prenatal and postnatal growth, an abnormal central nervous system, and cardiac defects. Effects brought by alcohol in the fetus are congenital malformations of the face, genitourinary defects, and learning disabilities. A study done by day and coworkers proved that women who take alcohol, predispose their newborns to low birth weight, decreased head circumference and length. Effects of Cocaine in Pregnancy It causes a reduced blood flow within the uterus. These in turn makes the fetus receive reduced oxygenated blood that makes the heart pump a bit faster and at an increased blood pressure to act as a compensatory mechanism. If used in the early trimesters of first and second, cocaine cause an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. In the late stages, it may cause premature labor, or delivery, plus placenta abruption, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, among others. To mothers who are regular users of cocaine their fetus may present with psychotic symptoms and need for antipsychotic treatment. Use of Bang in Pregnancy Marijuana also known as bang is one of the most commonly abused substances. Women using it during pregnancy risk of intro-uterine growth restriction to the fetus and later cause prematurity. Also, most infants die suddenly due to effects brought by sudden infant death syndrome those born of heavy users. Use of Drugs in Pregnancy The abuse of Narcotics during pregnancy is connected to a higher incidence of premature labor, chorioamnionitis, among others, and placenta abruption. Abuse of heroin in the time of pregnancy has caused about 50% rate of reduced weight in children where most are born being small for gestational age. They experience some respiratory depression and low Apgar scores. Also, infants are at a high risk of congenital abnormalities. Mothers who fully depend on heroin bore children with some signs of addiction, where 75% show clinical signs of withdrawal symptoms in the first 48 hours of birth. On the other hand, the aspiration syndrome of neonates is characterized by conglomeration of central nervous system, gastrointestinal, metabolic, respiratory, and vasomotor involvement. Some tremors, poor feeding, weight loss, hyperirritability among other then endure. The motor development that was measured by the psychomotor development index was noted to be lower in infants exposed regularly to alcohol through breast milk after an initial exposure in gestational time. These were evident in the research done to show that the consumed content of ethanol in breast milk shows a slight but marked effect on the motor development of the infant. It is evident in the facial features and failed work of the kidneys (Stimmel, 1982). Part Three In these parts, the writer will try to bring out various examples of trauma and how they can predispose a growing child to substance abuse. These will help bring out any relation between the two, and if any, they will come out openly. Depending with the acute or chronic states of experience of a child or adolescents, one can engage in various behavioral changes of either binge eating or bulimia, extreme sexual activities or indulge into substance abuse. These are usually dependent on the amount of stress in which one can handle or not (Lewis, 1999). The severe types that occur at a particular time and short-lived can also predispose one into substance abuse. Examples are when a child loses a loved one suddenly within the family, and they may find it hard to cope with a guardian or the caregiver and end up with emotional grief for long. To console oneself, a child may find pleasure in abusing drugs like alcohol, cigarette or even bang. These may be evident in cases where the caregiver becomes overwhelmed of taking care of the bereaved family. A case in point may be of a single parent who may not be in a position to provide all the needs required by the children. These may cause sibling rivalry and make others fend for themselves from outside. These will attract the outside behaviors from friends and create unwanted reactions where one may begin abusing drugs. In cases of physical assault, where they are beaten to the extent of causing harm, a child may decide to join a gang of idlers in the street and turn escapes the beatings at home. With these, comes peer pressure, and they may end up taking gum, besides drinking since it is one simple lifestyle adopted by most street urchins. Also, an adolescent may or sexual assault where one is either beaten shot or even raped. The chronic types occur over an extended period. These usually give a wide range of reaction where one appears tense, they then lose trust in others, and guilt feelings ensue and later shame. Among the outstanding examples of chronic trauma are, domestic violence, long-standing sexual and physical abuse. Children get the effects of domestic violence after understanding threats to the safety of either the mother or father or even the caregiver, and these does not depend on any physical damage. These children are often at a risk of been predisposed to direct acts of child abuse, which in turn, cause a significant risk to the children’s emotional, psychological and physical well-being depending on their response. Children get the effects of domestic violence after understanding threats to the safety of either the mother or father or even the caregiver, and these does not depend on any physical damage. These children are usually at a great risk of been influenced to become agents of child abuse that in turn cause a significant risk to the children’s emotional, psychological and physical well-being depending on their reaction. These can make them indulge in substance abuse so as to act as an escape goat for the overwhelming pressure and stress from home. Conclusion Traumatic events experienced in early childhood may affect an individual’s life. These will fully depend on whether a person has equipped themselves with coping strategies and if the effects are either r acute or chronic events. The severe type occurs at a particular time and is short-lived. Examples are when a child loses a loved one suddenly in the family, physical or sexual assault where one is either beaten shot or even raped. The chronic types occur over an extended period. These usually give a wide range of reaction where one appears tense, they then lose trust in others, and guilt feelings ensue and later shame. Among the significant patterns of chronic trauma are, domestic violence, long-standing sexual and physical abuse (Paul, 2007). Children find it simple and easy to cope since they are innocent beings and most a times; they do not know what is happening. When it comes to adolescents, there is a significant challenge because they are in a time of crisis, and these tend to affect them entirely. As defined to be an experience that occurs in children from as early as zero to adolescent time. At times, it is never that easy to pinpoint a given reaction in younger children and infants, this is because they are unable to verbalize and end up getting severe impacts in their lives. Effects of fights at home, physical abuse, rape, threat or punishment can most at times affect the growth of a child and affect his emotional and class performance. Others may be found already indulged in funny behaviors of drinking, smoking or even theft. An example is in the case of Physical abuse. Almost all children undergo this type of trauma as a form of punishment if they do something wrong. The type of damage is considered to be among the common child maltreatment in number two. It is taken to be any form of the physical act by a caregiver that causes damage or injury to a child. Most of these children develop traumatic stress, others become so fearful to the extent that their self-esteem is lowered and never get up to say something is not right or so and so is unfair to them. These in turn puts most children at risk of getting depression or anxiety. They finally end up with poor physical, mental and emotional development ( Levinson, Shnider, Hughes, & Rosen, 2002). Drug abuse or substance abuse has been defined as, the use of a substance in amounts that cause harm to them or others. Most people use substance abuse either due to pleasure or addiction and feel uneasy to do without it. On the other hand, mothers know to be heavy users of drugs tend to affect the health of their children physically, mentally, psychologically. This has impacted negatively on the growing children whereas others tend to mature slowly. It is quite clear that, the exposure to traumatic events when one is young may affect their future lifestyle and easily prone them to drug and substance abuse. An example lies when More effects begin as early as when the fetus is in the uterus. These depend on the damage state of the mother in drugs. The mother may damage her organs within the uterus and that of the fetus to an extent of causing placenta Previa or abruption. These in turn reduce sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and make the fetus develop slowly to cause prematurity or even a miscarriage. Also, with excessive passage of chemicals through the placenta, the fetus may have some developmental birth defects as will b evident from a number of drugs effects. Some of the neonatal medical complications of maternal substance abuse are cases where infants are given birth after dying, abstinence syndrome of the neonates and respiratory distress. References Bob, M. (2004) Raising an Optimistic Child. New York: McGraw-Hill. Karr-Morse, R., & Wiley, M. S. (2012). Scared sick: The role of childhood trauma in adult disease. New York: Basic Books. Levinson, G., Shnider, S. M., Hughes, S. C., & Rosen, M. A. (2002). Shnider and Levinsons anesthesia for obstetrics. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Lewis, S. (1999). An adults guide to childhood trauma: Understanding traumatised children in South Africa. Cape Town: David Philip Publishers. Lewis, J. A., Dana, R. Q., & Blevins, G. A. (2009). Substance abuse counseling. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co. Paul, R. (2007). Language disorders from infancy through adolescence: Assessment & intervention. St. Louis: Mosby. Reviere, S. L. (1996). Memory of childhood trauma: A clinicians guide to the literature. New York: Guilford Press. Stimmel, B. (1982). The Effects of maternal alcohol and drug abuse on the newborn. New York, N.Y: Haworth Press. Zagon, I. S., & Slotkin, T. A. (1992). Maternal substance abuse and the developing nervous system. San Diego: Academic Press. Read More