Authors: Laura Petley, Bronwen Davies.
Background and aims: There is an established link between experiences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use difficulties. This paper aims to further explore the complex relationship between childhood adversity, trauma and substance use.
Method: This paper audited the number and nature of adverse childhood experiences and experiences of trauma reported by a sample of 25 individuals under a specialist substance use service in South Wales, in order to build on the current research on ACEs and substance use. The incidence of the ACEs and trauma in relation to the commencement of the substance use is also audited.
Results: The findings show high levels of reported ACEs and severely traumatic experiences within the sample, consistent with existing research. Nineteen service users had reported experiencing childhood trauma and the sample had a mean number of 2.76 reported ACEs. The majority of service users had experienced trauma and ACEs prior to the commencement of their substance use, supporting the self-medication explanation of the cooccurrence between substance use with trauma and adversity.
Conclusions: The findings have implications for service development in relation to promoting trauma informed services and meeting the psychological needs of those who have experienced trauma and use substances.