Early childhood trauma is associated with addictions.

. Consider each of these and how you might use them in your own clinical practice. Are these feasible for someone who is already predisposed for a substance use disorder?
Then, review these again through a multicultural lens. What tools do people need in order to be successful with this list and who is most likely to have these tools?

In addition to programs aimed at preventing addiction, there are some helpful ideas for individuals wanting to avoid addiction in their own lives. Although there is no guarantee, these ideas are worth considering:

Resolve past hurts and trauma with help from a counselor or psychologist. Early childhood trauma is associated with addictions. Presumably, the earlier one works through these hurts and traumas, the likelihood of addiction should diminish.
Seek counseling if impulsivity, poor self-control, or poor emotional regulation are issues. These are also associated with a higher likelihood of developing an addiction.
Surround yourself with supportive individuals. This may be especially true for those who are marginalized (e.g., LGBTQ individuals, non-White individuals).
Develop strong bonds with family, at school, at church, and with others who do not condone drug use. Similar to point 3, supportive individuals create a supportive community. If your parents are not supportive, finding a “parent surrogate” as a positive parental figure in your life is considered very helpful (Stevens, 2013, p. 252). Having positive connections to adults and elders is helpful for Alaskan native youth (Philip, Ford, Henry, Rasmus, & Allen, 2016).
Pick friends wisely. It will be harder to avoid using drugs if your friends use them regularly.
Delay use of legal drugs. Those who begin smoking or drinking early are more likely to develop addiction issues.
Monitor your use of legal drugs. Avoid drinking excessive quantities of alcohol, especially repeatedly, and if you smoke only allow yourself a few cigarettes a day.
Avoid the use of illegal drugs. Illegal drugs are illegal for a reason! Particularly avoid using nonprescribed opioids, nonprescribed stimulants (including nicotine products), and nonprescribed depressants. Each of these drug classes has high dependency potential.
Become informed regarding the consequences of drug use. Education is your weapon in avoiding or reducing drug use.
Participate in community anti-drug programs. In this way, you become part of the solution instead of the problem.
Learn effective refusal skills. The ability to refuse alcohol and other drugs is predictive of lower alcohol use among college students (Stevens, Littlefield, Blanchard, Talley, & Brown, 2016).
Avoid prescription opioid use wherever possible. This class of drugs is highly addictive and should be avoided wherever possible (Beauchamp, Winstanley, Ryan, & Lyons, 2014).

Full Answer Section

  There are a number of reasons why ECT can lead to addiction. First, ECT can disrupt the development of the brain's stress response system. This can make people more likely to use substances as a way to cope with stress. Second, ECT can damage the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is important for learning and memory. This can make it difficult for people to learn from their mistakes and to break the cycle of addiction. Third, ECT can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation. These feelings can make people more likely to use substances as a way to numb their emotions. There is a growing body of research that supports the link between ECT and addiction. For example, one study found that people who had experienced ECT were more likely to have substance abuse problems than those who had not experienced ECT. Another study found that people who had experienced ECT were more likely to start using substances at a younger age and to have more severe substance abuse problems. The good news is that there is hope for people who have experienced ECT and who are struggling with addiction. There are a number of effective treatments available, and with the right support, people can overcome addiction and live healthy and fulfilling lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are resources available to help. Please reach out to a mental health professional or a substance abuse treatment center for help.

Sample Answer

  Early childhood trauma (ECT) is defined as any type of emotional or physical abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence that occurs before the age of 18. ECT can have a profound impact on a person's life, and it is often associated with addiction.