Anatomy of trauma and its implications for addictions

Trauma and trauma-related disorders as well as substance abuse and substance use disorders have become problems faced by an increasing number of health workers. The link between trauma and substance abuse has been scientifically studied and is important to highlight to provide appropriate medical, psychological and social services.

While psychological trauma is defined by disruptions in a person's feeling of control, addiction can be considered as a control disorder, or an inability to control. Loss of control is less conscious, often unrecognised by the addict until life becomes unmanageable. The difficulty of maintaining control increases when a person who has experienced trauma develops an addiction or when an addict experiences trauma.

There is now widespread consensus that the most effective approach to treating addiction and co-occurring medical conditions is to do it simultaneously during the early stages of recovery, with a multidisciplinary team that can meet the client's total needs.

This BIP is the result of an effort to advance an integrated approach to the treatment of psychological trauma and addiction by bringing together best practices, supportive resources, and current thinking.

The purpose of this BIP is to give social science and health students current knowledge regarding the link between trauma and addictive behaviours.

This Blended Intensive Program (BIP) will combine lectures (taking place virtual synchronously between 1 November 2024 - 20 December 2024) and in-person (between 3 March – 7 March 2025) by experts in the field. Two interactive workshops on Psychological Interventions for Children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Adults with PTSD, including Extended Exposure Therapy Protocol will be organised in March 2025. Besides the cultural visits to Bran Castle and Peles Castle, participants will have the opportunity to visit the Predeal Sanatorium for Psychiatric Disorders (https://www.nevroze-predeal.ro/) to improve their knowledge of good practices in mental health.

The entire programme will take place as follows:

• 1 November 2024 - 20 December 2024: 30 online synchronous hours with focus on theoretical topics related to trauma and addictions. This 30-hours of teaching will be held by experts from the University of Lausanne, Aix-Marseille University and Sapienza University of Rome.
• 21 December 2024 - 28 February 2025: Students will be engaged in an intermediate assessment. Students will have to do a theoretical review of the literature on specific topics related to what was taught during online hours. The literature review will be a group work of 50 hours asynchronous, but continuous learning, using innovative pedagogies (watch videos, podcasts, interviews with patients, etc). Additional, participants will be asked to comment on the materials uploaded on the e-learning platform or create a poster/picture representative for a topic – 30 hours asynchronous. 
• 3 March – 7 March 2025: One week mobility; 5 days of courses held by the teachers from University of Bucharest on psychological interventions in children and adults with PTSD and complex-PTSD/developmental trauma (total of 30 hours of in person courses).
• Final project preparation and work: 50 hours (asynchronous)
• Last week of March 2025: Final assessment - group project presentation (10 hours online synchronous).

Main topics addressed

This BIP features seven topics on trauma and addiction-related topics:

1. Addiction: general characteristics

• General definition, epidemiology, and main characteristics.
• "The addiction cycle: from impulsivity to compulsivity.
• Neurobiological aspects of addiction: the main brain systems involved.
• Substance addictions and behavioural addictions: similarities and differences.
• The 'new' addictions: gaming, internet use, and new psychoactive substances.

2. Why some individuals develop an addiction?

• The pathway to addiction: protective and risk factors.
• Individual vulnerabilities: the role of developmental-relational factors in addiction.
• From addiction to independence: addictions in adolescence.
• The centrality of caregiver relationships: attachment, adjustment processes and addiction.

3. How relational trauma influences the development of addiction

• Addiction as an attempt at self-cure: 'self-medication hypothesis'.
• Self-conscious emotions and addiction: empirical research.
• The therapeutic relationship and characteristics of addiction treatment.

4. Understanding Disorders Arising from Addictive Behaviors and Trauma (Social Media)

• A Comprehensive Exploration of Trauma's Subjective Impact in the Digital Age: In this module, we delve into the subjective experience of trauma influenced by interactions on social media platforms. Gain a deep understanding of how these online interactions can affect individuals psychologically.
• Navigating Social Media Compulsive Use and Combatting Cyberbullying: Explore the realm of compulsive social media use and its connection to cyberbullying. Learn strategies to identify and combat cyberbullying in the digital world.
•  Effective Cyberbullying Prevention: This module equips you with practical approaches and tools for preventing cyberbullying incidents, fostering a safer online environment

5. Understanding Disorders Arising from Addictive Behaviors and Trauma (Cyberporn)

• Exploring Compulsive Cyberporn Use and Its Impact on Trauma-Related Antecedents: This module focuses on understanding compulsive cyberporn use and its implications on trauma-related antecedents. Discover strategies to address these issues effectively.
• Examining Compulsive Cyberporn Use and Its Connection to Rape Myth Acceptance: Delve into patterns of compulsive cyberporn use and its potential link to the acceptance of rape myths. Learn how to approach and address these sensitive topics.

6. The Developing Brain, the Body, Trauma and Attachment

• A brief introduction to the brain, its development and environmental shaping. It has become evident that exposure to trauma leaves its mark on the brain’s ability to reach its full potential.
• Understanding of the importance of the body and how the body is affected by trauma, both in its memory and in its adaption to physical experiences.

7. Examples of interventions and practical applications of work in trauma and addictions

Learning outcomes

At the end of this Blended Intensive Program students will:

• Know the theories related to trauma and its implications for mental health.
• Know about different types of addictions and their effects on the body and brain.
• Understand the link between trauma and addictive behaviours.
• Identify signs and symptoms associated with trauma.
• Learn about evidence-based interventions in trauma situations.
• Learn the protocol of approach and intervention in cases of addiction.