Trauma and addiction are often connected. Trauma can cause deep physical and psychological wounds that may cause a person to self-medicate with substances. Addiction can make someone vulnerable to trauma. Among men, the connection can be complicated further.
Trauma in men tends to manifest as anger, repressed emotion, and greater risk-taking. Men are also more likely to use addictive substances such as opioids and alcohol to cope with trauma [1]. Social beliefs around masculinity may also prevent men from seeking treatment that could heal trauma and addiction.
The link between trauma and addiction can be broken, and it’s possible for men to recover from both. Let’s see how they relate to one another.
How Trauma Can Lead to Addiction
Research shows a connection between trauma and addiction, especially traumatic events in earlier life that influence addictive behaviors in later life [2]. One study found that people who have multiple traumatic experiences in childhood are 3 times more likely to develop an alcohol addiction in adulthood [3].
People may turn to alcohol and substances following trauma to escape negative psychological effects. They may also have a dysregulated stress system due to trauma and seek addictive substances to slow down their nervous system and feel calmer. Likewise, people may use addictive substances to temporarily numb themselves from intrusive thoughts and intense feelings that arise from trauma.
Those who experience prolonged periods of trauma may seek alcohol and substances to dissociate as a coping mechanism.
Trauma can lead to addiction because of the mood-altering properties and seeming “rewards” of substances. Traumatic stress can also lead to changes in how the brain functions, which in turn impacts a person’s behavior and makes them more susceptible to substance use that could become an addiction.
Did you know most health insurance plans cover mental health treatment? Check your coverage online now.
Common Types of Trauma Among Men
Men can experience any type of trauma. The most common trauma among men, however, includes:
- Childhood abuse: Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in early life.
- Military combat: In particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to being in active conflict zones.
- Physical violence: Being victims of robberies and fights.
- Severe accidents: Car accidents, workplace incidents, natural disasters.
- Occupational events: First-responders and emergency service staff who witness violent and fatal scenes.
Compared to women, men report significantly higher trauma in witnessing a traumatic event, physical assault, and childhood physical abuse [4]. Studies also suggest that the majority of men’s trauma is through interpersonal experiences (i.e., an event that involves someone else) [5].
Manifestations of Trauma in Men
In general, men respond to trauma by externalizing behaviors. These include showing anger, irritability, taking more risks, and abusing substances. Between 80-90% of people with substance abuse disorders have had a traumatic experience [6].
Men are statistically more likely to develop a substance use disorder post-trauma because of a mixture of gender norms, biological stress responses, and emotional suppression.
Other signs of trauma include:
- Withdrawal and isolation
- Hypervigilience
- Sleep disruption
- Sexual dysfunction
- Unexplained body aches
- Avoidance
- Overfocusing on work or activities
Contact us today to schedule an initial assessment or to learn more about our services. Whether you are seeking intensive outpatient care or simply need guidance on your mental health journey, we are here to help.
Why Are Men Less Likely to Seek Help For Mental Health?
Around 60% of men experience at least one severe traumatic event in their lifetime [7]. Compared to women, though, they are less likely to seek help for problems that arise due to trauma. Only half of men who suffer from trauma as a child try to get help as an adult [8].
Perceptions of masculinity can mean that men think of getting help as a sign of weakness. Or, they fear being judged by medical professionals and their personal and professional community when confronting an addiction diagnosis or other disorder following a traumatic event.
This perception often results in men self-medicating with substances. One study highlights that men are more likely than women to increase alcohol use as a result of traumatic experiences [9].
Awareness is an issue, too. Fewer men identify as trauma survivors; they tend to minimize possible health effects from trauma or don’t have sufficient awareness to know when harmful behaviors are the result of trauma.
Unaddressed manifestations of trauma can be debilitating and fatal. Alcohol and drug use have been highlighted as factors in why male suicide rates are 4 times higher among men than women [10].
Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment For Men
Care is available for men who have an addiction disorder directly or indirectly due to a traumatic experience. By treating addiction and trauma simultaneously, outcomes can be noticeably improved than when treating them individually.
Integrated treatment typically combines Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) with evidence-backed therapies.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) assists with substance detox, helping to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and lower the risk of relapse. MAT is normally one of the earlier steps in comprehensive care, which is followed by ongoing care such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These help address, process, and reframe trauma, as well as build coping skills to improve emotion and nervous system regulation.
Care that is tailored to men prioritizes physical and emotional safety, and can feature considerations that are unique to men’s tendencies, ways of thinking, and cultural influences.
Integrated trauma and addiction treatment has been proven to be effective for men, especially for mental health symptoms, self-esteem, and proactive coping [11].
Did you know most health insurance plans cover mental health treatment? Check your coverage online now.
Integrated Care For Men at Worthy Wellness Center
At Worthy Wellness Center, we offer evidence-based, compassionate care for addiction and trauma. Our treatment is carried out by licensed, empathetic professionals who facilitate personalized programs within a judgment-free space.
Through a combination of therapies, Medication-Assisted Treatment where needed, and holistic activities, we help men and women begin and stay on their recovery journey. We serve all people and celebrate diversity, but we also know that different groups in society require care that meets their specific needs.
Our treatment center is located in Carlsbad, in North County, San Diego, one block from the beach. We integrate our environment with treatment, encouraging program attendees to use nature as part of their physical, mental, and spiritual rehabilitation.
You’re strong, and you can heal with the right help. Call our admissions team today.
Sources
[1] Georgsdottir, M. et al. (April 2021). “This Is the Result of Something Else”: Experiences of Men That Abused Drugs and Had Experienced Childhood Trauma. American Journal of Men’s Health.
[2] Felitti, V. et al. (1998). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
[3] Dube, S. et al. (September 2002). Adverse childhood experiences and personal alcohol abuse as an adult. Addictive Behaviors.
[4] Rodríguez, M. et al. (December 2023). Trauma Exposure Across the Lifespan among Individuals Engaged in Treatment with Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: Differences by Gender, PTSD Status, and Chronic Pain. National Institutes of Health.
[5] Godbout, N. et al. (July 2025). Cumulative childhood trauma and life satisfaction in men: The role of complex posttraumatic stress and its dimensions. Child Abuse & Neglect.
[6] Barrett, E. et al. (January 2015). Substance use and mental health consequences of childhood trauma: An epidemiological investigation. Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
[7] US Department of Veteran Affairs. (March 2025). PTSD: National Center for PTSD. ptsd.va.gov.
[8] Sigurdardottir, S. et al. (December 2013). Consequences of childhood sexual abuse for health and well-being: Gender similarities and differences. Sage Journals.
[9] Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2013). Addressing the Specific Behavioral Health Needs of Men. Working With Specific Populations of Men in Behavioral Health Settings. National Library of Medicine.
[10] CDC. (March 2025). Suicide Data and Statistics. cdc.gov.
[11] Wolff, N. et al. (January 2015). Implementation and effectiveness of integrated trauma and addiction treatment for incarcerated men. Journal of Anxiety Disorders.
