Fractured teen silhouette transitioning to serenity, symbolizing overcoming trauma through secure attachment.

Breaking the Cycle: How Childhood Trauma Impacts Teen Substance Use

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the connection between maltreatment, attachment, and risky behaviors in adolescents."

Adolescence is a period of significant change, marked by increased autonomy and risk-taking behaviors. Unfortunately, for some teens, this includes experimenting with substances, often as a way to cope with underlying issues like childhood trauma. Research consistently shows a connection between negative childhood experiences, such as maltreatment, and a higher likelihood of substance use during adolescence.

But it's not just the trauma itself that increases the risk. The quality of attachment between teens and their parents plays a crucial role. Secure attachment provides a buffer against risky behaviors, while insecure attachment can exacerbate the impact of trauma. Understanding this dynamic is key to developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

This article delves into the findings of a recent study examining the complex interplay between maltreatment, attachment styles, and substance use in adolescents. We'll explore how different forms of maltreatment impact attachment security and, in turn, influence the likelihood of substance use. Ultimately, we aim to provide insights that can help parents, educators, and mental health professionals support vulnerable teens and break the cycle of trauma and substance abuse.

The Link Between Maltreatment and Substance Use: Unpacking the Research

Fractured teen silhouette transitioning to serenity, symbolizing overcoming trauma through secure attachment.

A recent study published in "Addictive Behaviors" explored the relationships between psychological and physical maltreatment, attachment styles (avoidance and anxiety), and substance use among 737 adolescents aged 12-18. The research revealed several key findings:

Maltreatment and Substance Use:

Psychological maltreatment (e.g., insults, belittling) was significantly linked to the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana.
Physical maltreatment (e.g., pushing, shoving) was also associated with cigarette and marijuana use.

Attachment and Substance Use: The study highlighted the critical role of attachment styles. While both forms of maltreatment were associated with increased attachment avoidance and anxiety, only attachment avoidance directly predicted substance use. This suggests that teens who avoid seeking support from their parents may be more vulnerable to substance use as a coping mechanism.Attachment avoidance acted as a mediator between maltreatment and substance use. It is the relationship of children’s maltreatment experience which determines their attachment with parents. Also, avoidant attached youth are more inclined towards substance abuse in comparison to securely attached children

Breaking the Cycle: Fostering Secure Attachment for Healthier Futures

The research clearly demonstrates the powerful impact of childhood trauma and insecure attachment on adolescent substance use. By understanding these connections, we can develop more effective strategies for prevention and intervention.

Focus on Secure Attachment: Interventions designed to increase parent-teen attachment security and decrease attachment avoidance may be particularly useful in reducing the risk for substance use.

Addressing Trauma: Creating safe and supportive environments where teens can process their experiences of maltreatment is essential. This may involve therapy, counseling, and other forms of support.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.049, Alternate LINK

Title: Maltreatment, Attachment, And Substance Use In Adolescence: Direct And Indirect Pathways

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Addictive Behaviors

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Rajan S. Hayre, Natalie Goulter, Marlene M. Moretti

Published: 2019-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does maltreatment affect substance use in adolescents?

The research indicates that psychological maltreatment, such as insults and belittling, and physical maltreatment, like pushing and shoving, are significantly linked to substance use in adolescents. These experiences of maltreatment can lead to the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana as coping mechanisms during adolescence. The study published in "Addictive Behaviors" examined the relationship between these forms of maltreatment and subsequent substance use.

What role does attachment play in adolescent substance use?

The quality of the attachment between a teen and their parents is very important. Secure attachment can protect against risky behaviors, while insecure attachment can make the effects of trauma worse. The study found that attachment avoidance, where teens avoid seeking support from their parents, directly predicted substance use. This suggests a direct correlation between the attachment style and the likelihood of substance use.

What is attachment avoidance and how does it relate to substance use?

Attachment avoidance is a significant factor. This is a style where teens avoid seeking support from their parents. It acted as a mediator between maltreatment and substance use, increasing the likelihood of substance abuse as a coping mechanism. The connection highlights how insecure attachment, stemming from maltreatment, can lead adolescents to use substances.

What is the connection between childhood trauma and adolescent substance use?

Childhood trauma, particularly maltreatment, has a strong connection to substance use during adolescence. Both psychological and physical maltreatment were associated with an increased likelihood of using substances like cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. The presence of maltreatment experiences can create a higher risk for substance use as the adolescent attempts to cope with the trauma.

How can we prevent substance use in teens based on the research?

The research emphasizes the importance of fostering secure attachment to prevent substance use in teens. Secure attachment provides a buffer against risky behaviors, reducing the likelihood of substance use. The findings underscore the need for prevention and intervention strategies that promote secure attachment between teens and their parents to break the cycle of trauma and substance abuse. This can include therapy and support to help teens and parents build a healthier relationship.