The Root of Addiction

When people think of addiction, they often picture the substances first: the alcohol, the pills, the powder. But addiction rarely begins with a bottle or a pipe. More often, it begins with pain.

As an addiction medicine physician, I’ve seen how trauma, chronic stress, and emotional wounds plant seeds that may not bloom until years later. Studies have shown that childhood trauma, measured through adverse childhood event (ACE) scores, strongly increases the risk of addiction later in life.

People don’t simply wake up and decide to develop a substance use disorder. Substances often start as coping tools — a way to soothe what feels unbearable, a shortcut to relief when healthier strategies were never taught (or were out of reach).

I grew up in a home significantly affected by alcoholism. Though I’m fortunate to have never struggled with addiction personally, I’ve carried my own share of anxiety, self-doubt, and the lasting marks of childhood trauma. Therapy has been a cornerstone of my healing. It taught me a truth I now share with my patients: what has happened to us wasn’t our fault, but how we choose to process it can either make us or break us.

The hidden toll of chronic stress

Chronic stress doesn’t just impact our mood, it reshapes how we think, feel, and respond to life. It alters brain chemistry, raises cortisol, disrupts sleep, inflames the gut, and keeps the nervous system on high alert. Over time, this makes it harder to feel joy and easier to reach for something, anything, that brings temporary relief.

That’s where substances, or even compulsive behaviors like overeating or endless scrolling often come in. They aren’t always about chasing a high; they’re often about escaping uncomfortable feelings. This is where “just say no” or “just stop using” misses the mark entirely. Instead, we should ask, "What void are they trying to fill? What feeling are they attempting to achieve: calm, control, connection or relief?"

Once we understand the "why", we can begin offering safer, healthier ways to meet those needs. This approach isn’t just vital for treatment — it’s also powerful in prevention, helping us reach people before pain turns into unhealthy patterns.

Addiction is a biopsychosocial condition

Addiction isn’t just a chemical imbalance or a set of bad decisions — it’s a biopsychosocial condition. That means recovery must address:

• Biology (like withdrawal and cravings)
• Psychology (like trauma and emotional regulation)
• Social factors (like relationships and community support)

I often say, "We can help someone stop using a substance, but if we don’t help them heal the pain underneath, it often shows up elsewhere." Common outcomes include anxiety, unhealthy relationships, or a sense of persistent dissatisfaction.

This is why therapy, trauma-informed care, and holistic support aren’t just optional components of addiction treatment — they’re actually essential. Whether it’s CBT, EMDR, group meetings, or other forms of spiritual growth, the goal is the same: to help people make sense of their story and find strength in the places where their pain once lived.

Find your WHY, Find your FREEDOM

If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t just ask what they’re using or how often. Ask why. What was missing when the substance became a part of the story? What early beliefs about worth, safety, or their lovability still echo in adulthood?

Healing begins when people feel safe enough to understand not just their addiction, but themselves. When they can explore their "why", the roots of their pain or longing, they can start to reclaim their freedom.

You are not broken. You are a whole person: biological, emotional, social, spiritual. When we treat addiction as just a chemical issue, we miss the beautiful human within. But when we look beyond symptoms and into the full story, we create space for lasting recovery.