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Family Resilience and Recovery from Opioids and Other Addictions pp 91–108Cite as

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Addiction

Part of the Emerging Issues in Family and Individual Resilience book series (EIIFR)

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized as predictors of early onset of alcohol and other drug use, problematic substance use, and addiction (Anda et al., Eur Arch Psych Clin Neurosci 256(3):174–186, 2006; Campbell et al., Am J Prev Med 50(3):344–352, 2016; Merrick et al., J Am Med Assoc Pediat 172:1038–1044, 2018). ACEs can have profound and enduring effects on neurological development, and immune and metabolic systems, resulting in behavioral and epigenetic changes that can persist across generations. Research with animal models and humans indicates that early exposure to abuse, neglect, and other stressors alters brain development, decreasing the individual’s ability and capacity to manage stress and emotions and increasing the likelihood of dependence on mood-altering substances (Kirsch et al., Adver Resil Sci, 1–19, 2020). There are growing bodies of evidence that environments enriched in nurturing relationships and resources can buffer the effects of early adversity (Blaze and Roth 2015; Morris et al. 2018). Interventions such as Attachment Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) that promote secure attachment show promise for interrupting the intergenerational cycle of adversity and addiction. Policies and programs that ensure access to Protective and Compensatory Experiences (PACEs) may also promote resilience in families who have experienced ACEs and addiction (Hays-Grudo and Morris, Adverse and protective childhood experiences: A developmental perspective. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 2020).

Keywords

  • Adversity
  • Resilience
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Protective and Compensatory Experiences (PACEs)
  • Addiction
  • Attachment
  • Stress

Preparation of this chapter was supported by a Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence grant (P20GM199097, PD: Jennifer Hays-Grudo; National Institutes of Health) and 3/6 Planning for the HEALthy Early Development Study (R34DA050237; MPIs: Julie M. Croff & Amanda S. Morris).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA

    Jennifer Hays-Grudo

  2. Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK, USA

    Amanda Sheffield Morris & Erin L. Ratliff

  3. National Center for Wellness and Recovery, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA

    Julie M. Croff

Authors
  1. Jennifer Hays-Grudo
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  2. Amanda Sheffield Morris
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  3. Erin L. Ratliff
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  4. Julie M. Croff
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Hays-Grudo .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Wellness and Recovery, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA

    Julie M. Croff

  2. Center for Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK, USA

    Jason Beaman

Questions for Thought and Discussion

Questions for Thought and Discussion

  1. 1.

    Think about the concept of “adaptation.” How can biological and behavioral adaptations to threatening or dangerous experience during childhood have long-term maladaptive consequences? How would the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders be different if it is thought of as short-term adaptations with long-term consequences?

  2. 2.

    Develop a research question based on one of the assertions made in this chapter, (e.g., that mindfulness practice can reduce substance abuse in teens by improving deficits in executive function skills resulting from ACEs) and design an intervention study to examine it. Include in your research design qualitative as well as quantitative measures to assess the effects of the intervention.

  3. 3.

    The authors propose that clinical practitioners and policy makers should consider the importance of providing enriched environments and supportive relationships for at-risk children and their families. Select five of the PACEs that could be made more accessible to families through existing health care systems, social services, educational systems, or philanthropic programs.

  4. 4.

    Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper that describes in everyday language the link between ACEs and addiction, including the biological and behavioral effects on child development, the evidence-based programs that can interrupt the cycle of adversity and addition, and why the community would benefit from making such programs more available.

Glossary of Terms

Addiction

a brain disease whose visible symptoms are behaviors

Adversity

a host of experiences that can cause serious or chronic stress.

Attachment

an emotional bond that connects one person to another

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

ten potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, witness interpersonal violence, substance abuse in home, separated/divorced parents, family member incarcerated, family member mentally ill or suicidal)

Protective and Compensatory Experiences (PACEs)

ten environmental characteristics that appear to buffer children from the effects of parental substance abuse and other ACEs and may be helpful to adults working to overcome the effects of their own adverse childhoods and subsequent substance use

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Hays-Grudo, J., Morris, A.S., Ratliff, E.L., Croff, J.M. (2021). Adverse Childhood Experiences and Addiction. In: Croff, J.M., Beaman, J. (eds) Family Resilience and Recovery from Opioids and Other Addictions. Emerging Issues in Family and Individual Resilience. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56958-7_5

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