Article Analysis Essay on Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Addiction

Introduction

The article Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Addiction reviewed contemporary literature on the occurrence of both original cases of abuse among children and addiction in their adulthood stages. It explains that 88% of participants reported cases of CSA. The article explains that most cases of CSA are not reported and that it is not easy for caregivers to identify victims of such cases. It describes child sexual abuse as any sexual act done on a child by a person who is older and has a certain degree of authority over them and coercion is also applied. The article states that individuals who have encountered CSA struggle with the repercussions of the heinous act throughout their lives. CSA has severe consequences on the victims, for instance, emotional turmoil, bodily and mental distress. The editorial also connects CSA with several other consequences, and they include; substance abuse, obesity, aggression, low self-esteem, depression, suicidal feelings, headache, and sleep disorders among others. It explores the relationship between CSA and addiction among victims.

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The article supports the theory that individuals who have experienced CSA use drugs in an attempt to cope with the devastating consequences of sexual abuse. It explains addiction as "primary, a chronic disease involving brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry"(Hungrige & Nardecchia p.1). The article explores the various types of addictions, and they are categorized into either substance or process categories. It explains that in substance addiction an individual consumes excess amounts of substances such as alcohol or different drugs while in process addiction and individual becomes addicted to activities or events. The editorial explains that the most common theory behind the use of substances is self-prescription with the notion that the materials are useful in relieving trauma that an individual encounters after CSA. The article explains that CSA is linked to alcohol disorder beginning from a very tender age of the victim and in turn, it interferes with the learning process of coping skills. The victims of CSA use substances to reduce powerful emotional effects although it is considered to be a maladaptive means to deal with negative feelings. The article states that CSA affects individuals more as they age and they resort to substance abuse as a way of preventing and reducing strain. Regarding process addiction, the article explains that people using this self-remedy experience intense cravings with the need to participate in certain activities regardless of whether they are harmful to the health, economy, social life among others.

Essential findings in the article are that there are higher numbers of female victims of CSA than men. Also, those who did not report cases of CSA are likely to suffer addiction than those who said the incidents. Besides, maladaptive behaviors have been used as a coping strategy by CSA survivors. Another significant finding is that victims of CSA tend to consume a lot of food as compared to those who have not experienced CSA. Conclusions of the article also indicate that on the one hand, some victims of CSA withdraw from sexual activities and on the other, they develop hypersexual behaviors and some even end up having unsafe sexual activities. A clinical strategy on the victims of CSA is to increase sensitization and awareness on the addictive behaviors resulting from CSA. The findings also indicate shows a sign of progress in support of the CSA victims and how to handle trauma without resorting to drugs.

There are however some limitations on this article as it has narrowed down the scope of research by concentrating on one institution. The diversity does not represent the picture of the general population which include race/ ethnicity and the socioeconomic status. Similarly, the method used for data collection has some limitations as it has only used one method which is entirely depended on disclosure and it is not a guarantee that all the victims of CSA are willing to share their experiences. The best way to gather data from CSA victims is to include various ways to come up with concrete results.

Conclusion

I agree that there is a correlation between CSA and addiction among adults. Through an experience of working with such victims, I realized that most of them resort to substance abuse as a way of self-medication in curing trauma associated with CSA. The primary issue that leads the victims to addiction is the need to forget about their CSA experience. CSA victims encounter consequences such as substance abuse, obesity, aggression, low self-esteem, depression, suicidal feelings, headache, and sleep disorders among others. In my opinion sensitization on CSA, victims therapy should be done to help those who have undergone it recover from trauma without resorting to substance abuse which leads to addiction. Similarly, those who are already affected can be improved through various therapies so that they regain their normalcy. Also, better ways of identifying the CSA victims should be used to offer maximum support.

References

Nardecchia, A., & Hungrige, A. (2015). Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Addiction. J Subst Abuse, 3(1), 1025.