According to the Administration for Children and Families (2013), there are one million verified cases of childhood maltreatment reported annually in the United States. Of these cases, 79.5% were the result of neglect, emotional abuse, and abandonment. The significance of the early relationship between infants and their mothers on a child’s development has been documented extensively in the literature (Snyder, Shapiro, & Treleaven, 2012; Dozier, Lindhiem, & Ackerman, 2005). A mother’s ability to attune, regulate, and respond to an infant has considerable developmental and interpersonal consequences (Bowlby 1988; Shapiro 2012). Repeated proximity-seeking behaviors with primary caregivers lay the foundation for individual strategies that assist
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Failing to diagnose and treat those individuals with substance use disorders who have also gone through some form of trauma early in life perpetuates the cycle of addiction. Attachment theory, first hypothesized by Bowlby over five decades ago, has seen resurgence in recent years (De Rick, Vanheule; Verhaeghe, 2009). Significant aspects of attachment theory have reinforced the idea that the relationship between the infant and the primary caregiver has influential effects on intimacy later in life (De Rick et al., 2009). In a study conducted by Ann De Rick, Stijn Vanheule, Ph.D., and Paul Verhaeghe (2009), alcoholic individuals with an impaired attachment system were observed in a hospital treatment setting. According De Rick, et al. (2009), the individuals were clearly shut down from others with the majority of the alcoholic inpatients researched showing high scores on alexithymia, the inability to process and articulate the emotions one feels, and to report an insecure attachment style. This paper reviews relevant literature on attachment styles, recognizing trauma syndromes, the spectrum of psychological trauma, Developmental Trauma Disorder, and adult attachment and adjustment disorders as they relate to substance abuse and …show more content…
These adults who have experienced traumatic separations with a caregiver are often articulate, creative, and possess good insight (Malone, et al. 2006). These individuals are able to maintain meaningful relationships and are comfortable around others in a variety of social situations (Malone, et al. 2006). Adults who develop the hostile/paranoid attachment style are often sanctimonious, unhappy, angry, and tend to feel superior to others (Malone, et al. 2006). These individuals are critical of others, suspicious and lack intimate friendships. They often deal with adversity by being accusatory and lack personal responsibility (Malone, et al. 2006). These behaviors are, in part, due to feelings of being misunderstood and neglected (Malone, et al. 2006). The final subtype of attachment is the psychopathic. These people tend to be dishonest, manipulative, and easily angered. They have little empathy for others and lack insight into their own behaviors. These individuals generally have issues with substance abuse and criminal behavior (Malone, et al. 2006). Adults who are able to work on themselves emotionally have what is termed “earned secure” attachments. These individuals have earned their way into secure attachment behaviors (G. Pace Communication Interview,
Failing to diagnose and treat those individuals with substance use disorders who have also gone through some form of trauma early in life perpetuates the cycle of addiction. Attachment theory, first hypothesized by Bowlby over five decades ago, has seen resurgence in recent years (De Rick, Vanheule; Verhaeghe, 2009). Significant aspects of attachment theory have reinforced the idea that the relationship between the infant and the primary caregiver has influential effects on intimacy later in life (De Rick et al., 2009). In a study conducted by Ann De Rick, Stijn Vanheule, Ph.D., and Paul Verhaeghe (2009), alcoholic individuals with an impaired attachment system were observed in a hospital treatment setting. According De Rick, et al. (2009), the individuals were clearly shut down from others with the majority of the alcoholic inpatients researched showing high scores on alexithymia, the inability to process and articulate the emotions one feels, and to report an insecure attachment style. This paper reviews relevant literature on attachment styles, recognizing trauma syndromes, the spectrum of psychological trauma, Developmental Trauma Disorder, and adult attachment and adjustment disorders as they relate to substance abuse and …show more content…
These adults who have experienced traumatic separations with a caregiver are often articulate, creative, and possess good insight (Malone, et al. 2006). These individuals are able to maintain meaningful relationships and are comfortable around others in a variety of social situations (Malone, et al. 2006). Adults who develop the hostile/paranoid attachment style are often sanctimonious, unhappy, angry, and tend to feel superior to others (Malone, et al. 2006). These individuals are critical of others, suspicious and lack intimate friendships. They often deal with adversity by being accusatory and lack personal responsibility (Malone, et al. 2006). These behaviors are, in part, due to feelings of being misunderstood and neglected (Malone, et al. 2006). The final subtype of attachment is the psychopathic. These people tend to be dishonest, manipulative, and easily angered. They have little empathy for others and lack insight into their own behaviors. These individuals generally have issues with substance abuse and criminal behavior (Malone, et al. 2006). Adults who are able to work on themselves emotionally have what is termed “earned secure” attachments. These individuals have earned their way into secure attachment behaviors (G. Pace Communication Interview,