The Cycle of Harm

Childhood trauma, if not addressed, can often lead to difficulties as adults, including drugs and alcohol use. It can also lead to anti-social personality disorders, the feeling of not being able to change their own destiny and a sense of helplessness. The feelings can be those of anger, anxiety, depression, guilt and self blame all of which can link in with substance misuse. Young people who are abused both pre- and post-16 years have a higher incidence of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and the use of illicit drugs and this can also cause their life to spiral out of control as well as the long term effects of the abuse.
Dr Jane Schulte Consultant Paediatrician North Bristol NHS Trust

Case Study – ‘Carla’

Carla had a history of both alcohol and illegal drug use. Before arriving for counselling at Touchstone, she had been successfully accessing services to help with her addictions. Carla was sexually abused as a child by a family member from the ages of 3 – 13 years old.

On commencing counselling Carla stated - ‘at the moment I am not liking life at all’. The world for her was a very unsafe place and fear of leaving the house in case something bad should happen was very real.

Carla stayed for 1 year, and during this time, slowly but surely, her fears were addressed. Carla became a much stronger person and learned to release her ‘stored up’ feelings. She was keen to draw and paint and we were able during some of the sessions to look at her artwork. This was an important part of her healing and aided her in ‘the telling of her story’, sometimes too painful for words.

Carla had great courage and showed absolute determination to find a way through and change her life, which she has done.