You are Exactly Where You Need To Be

Research Topic: The link between trauma and substance abuse.

• This topic is personal to me, because I believe the majority of the reason I developed addictive qualities and behaviors was due to untreated depression and C-PTSD.

• This involves families all around. Trauma and addiction do not discriminate. Because of this, more people than we know and realize are affected by traumatic events and substance use disorder.
• This issue at hand is that there are not enough advocates or affordable resources in the mental health field, so addicts are treated as criminals.
• This is happening more in less fortunate places but also in wealthy communities as well, globally.
• It is important to talk about this because the more we open the door to this conversation the more people we have trying to problem solve and find solutions.
• The purpose of my research is to come to terms with the fact that my substance use wasn’t completely my fault and through informing myself I can empower others to feel freedom after darkness.

1) How can we make resources for mental health more accessible and affordable?

2) Can we teach parents how to minimize trauma (intentional or unintentional) in their children’s lives? 

3) Are we able to stop the course of addiction by promoting healthy coping mechanisms in teen years?

4) How “intense” does the trauma have to be to cause or trigger substance abuse?

5) What other factors additional to trauma help initiate substance use disorder?