Growing up with a caregiver who abuses substances is traumatizing for many.
I’ve heard it said many times before - “I don’t know if what I experienced would be considered traumatic. It’s not like I experienced the terrors of war.”
It’s important to note that two individuals who experience the same trauma may be impacted very differently depending on many different factors.
Individuals in this population may identify as Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoA’s or ACA’s).
It can get confusing for many people who aren’t quite sure…
“was my childhood a traumatic one?”
This confusion makes sense when the diagnosis of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is defined as experiencing or being exposed to a single event, or extreme stressor, that is life-threatening or could lead to severe injury.
This leads many to believe “if I didn’t experience a single extreme life-threatening event, such as war, I don’t have trauma.“
The differences between PTSD vs CPTSD
One of our previous blog posts outlines the definition of complex trauma and how it is different from PTSD. It says:
“Complex trauma occurs in response to repeated exposure to emotionally overwhelming experiences that have no clear beginning or end, are part of a person’s everyday life, are interpersonal in nature, and are not necessarily life threatening.”
Duros and Crowley define trauma even more broadly:
Any experience that is either:
Too much, too soon
Too much for too long
Too little for too long
Is growing up with an alcoholic or addict (identifying as an ACOA) a form of complex trauma?
When we line up some experiences ACOAs may have with the definitions above, it’s clear that this experience can be classified as a form of trauma.
Here are just a few examples that may resonate with some ACOAs’ experiences.
Too much, too soon
These are the more “obvious” traumas that ACOAs may have experienced and are more aligned with the PTSD definition of a “single, potentially life-threatening event”.
Early exposure to (witnessing and/or experiencing) domestic violence.
Early exposure to (witnessing and/or experiencing) sexual abuse.
Too much for too long
These are the experiences that “have no clear beginning or end, are part of a person’s everyday life, are interpersonal in nature, and are not necessarily life threatening”. Some examples include:
Hypervigilance: That constant feeling of walking on eggshells or being on your toes not knowing “who” is coming home that night (i.e. “will they be angry, happy, sad, scary?”).
Verbal/emotional abuse: Constant family arguments that aren’t life-threatening in nature but are terrifying for children to experience.
Too little for too long
These are the experiences (or lack thereof) that “have no clear beginning or end, are part of a person’s everyday life, are interpersonal in nature, and may not be life threatening”. Some examples include:
Physical neglect: for example, inconsistent availability of food, housing, and hygiene support.
Emotional neglect/misattunement: when a child’s efforts at communication/expression aren’t responded to in a way that allows the child to feel understood. For example, if a child is crying because they bruised their knee and the caregiver says “oh you’re fine, stop crying”.
Inconsistent availability of a caregiver: for example, they may be in and out of treatment, in and out of jail, and/or missing for periods of time.
Through aligning some common ACOA experiences with these definitions of trauma, it becomes evident that growing up with an addicted caregiver can be a traumatizing experience and may lead to the development of Complex PTSD.
Beyond the definitions of PTSD and complex trauma, nowhere is it more evident that ACOAs could use support than the emergence of 12-step programs designed specifically for this population.
Some ACOAs find groups like these to be an integral part of their healing.
Others find groups and individual therapy with a trauma therapist to be the best blend. And still others find that trauma therapy, on its own, is their preferred mode of healing.
My name is Abby and I’m a trauma therapist who specializes in providing therapy for childhood trauma, with a specialty in working with ACOAs.
If you identify as an ACOA and are wanting more support, please know that our team of therapists specialize in the treatment of complex trauma and are eager to walk alongside you in your journey towards your goals.
Healing is possible and you deserve it.
Stay tuned for more blog posts, podcasts, and additional content for those who identify as an ACOA.
In our next blog in this series, I’ll be covering common adaptive strategies (better known as present-day symptoms) that have helped ACOAs survive their childhoods.
And to come, we will explore the many ways trauma-informed treatment can support you on your journey.
🧡,
Looking for a Trauma Therapist in Philadelphia, PA?
Reclaim Therapy is a group of trauma therapists who specialize in EMDR Therapy, Treatment for PTSD, Therapy for Complex PTSD, Eating Disorders and Body Image concerns. Our team believes that it is your right to reclaim your life from the impact of trauma, disordered eating and body-shame.