Trauma is a significant driver of substance use, with studies showing that 40 to 60% of addiction risk is genetic, while the other half is influenced by trauma.

The key to overcoming any addiction is to acknowledge the problem, seek community support, and develop healthier coping mechanisms, as addiction often serves as a solution to discomfort or stress but becomes problematic when it takes on a life of its own, leading to further trauma and stress.

Addiction is not the problem; it's the solution to an underlying stressor. People often turn to substances or behaviors to escape discomfort or pain.

Trauma experienced at any age can increase the risk of addiction, but earlier trauma tends to have more lasting effects due to brain development stages.

People can become addicted to stress, needing high levels of activation to feel alive, especially those with backgrounds in high-stress environments like combat veterans.

At the heart of addiction and a challenged life is a lack of distress tolerance, which is crucial for managing life's challenges effectively.

Healing involves addressing the pain and shame that drive addiction, allowing individuals to explore their fears and find healthier coping mechanisms.

Many addictions, whether substance-related or behavioral, are rooted in a universal fear of death, and addressing this fear can lead to healing.

When someone is in the throes of addiction, my first focus is on stabilizing them physically before addressing underlying stressors.