Addiction

Empowering Lives, Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Futures.

Addiction often begins as a coping mechanism – a way to manage the pain of trauma, grief, or emotional overwhelm.

It can also be a byproduct of homelessness, where substances are used to cope with stress, cold, danger, or sleep deprivation. Without the right support, this cycle becomes incredibly difficult to break.

Substance Addictions:

Alcohol:

Often used to numb emotional pain or escape from difficult circumstances. It’s one of the most misused substances in people affected by trauma.

Drugs:

Including heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis, prescription opioids, and benzodiazepines. Many turn to drugs to cope with intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or to self-medicate untreated mental health conditions.

Prescription Medication:

Some clients may develop dependence on medications originally prescribed for pain or anxiety, especially after injury or trauma.

Behavioural Addictions:

Gambling:

Often linked to attempts to find control or hope in uncertain financial situations.

Sexual addiction or compulsive relationships:

Sometimes tied to trauma, especially when rooted in childhood abuse or neglect.

Technology and internet use:

A newer but growing concern among those trying to dissociate or avoid reality.

The Trauma – Addiction – Homelessness Cycle:

Trauma (such as abuse, loss, or violence) creates emotional pain and instability.

Addiction becomes a coping mechanism, temporarily masking the pain, but often worsening mental health and increasing isolation.

Homelessness can result from broken relationships, job loss, or eviction due to addiction-related issues.

Being homeless further increases trauma, leading to more substance use – and the cycle continues.

Trauma-informed research shows that around 70-85% of people with substance use disorders have experienced trauma at some point in their lives.