Anyone who has undergone AA’s 12 Step recovery program will be familiar with step 4: Make a fearless moral inventory of ourselves. This step gives us the opportunity to honestly examine our strengths and weaknesses, our victories and our failings. This necessary step lays the groundwork for growth that’s necessary in order to achieve a lasting victory over addiction.
However, for victims of trauma, Step 4 needs a little more explanation.
Trauma and Addiction Commonly Coincide
Between 50 and 94% of people who struggle with an addiction have also experienced trauma. And as many as 34% of those who receive treatment for addiction also have a diagnosis of PTSD. While researchers are still trying to determine what exactly is the relationship between trauma and addiction, it’s already very apparent that there’s a significant link.
Trauma is a situation in which we feel threatened and completely helpless. Although some people process trauma themselves, in many cases, severe trauma requires the help of a professional to work through. One reason that there may be such a high correlation between trauma and addiction is that when trauma is chronic and repetitive, as in the case of childhood abuse, it actually changes the way that our brains develop.
Why Do Trauma Victims Blame Themselves?
When we consider the fact that it’s not uncommon for substance abusers to have a history of trauma, it becomes clear that we need to approach Step Four of the 12-Step Program with a certain level of sensitivity and maturity.
This is because it’s a well-known pattern that those who suffer abuse and trauma have a tendency to blame themselves for it. While this may seem absolutely illogical to someone outside of the situation, especially in cases of childhood abuse, it’s a familiar pattern for those who struggle to put trauma behind them.
This cartoon, which specifically addresses victims of sexual abuse, sheds light on the reason why victims tend to blame themselves. “Saying ‘It was my fault’ is a way of saying ‘I can stop it from happening again.’” Trauma and abuse sends us into a tailspin of fear. Desperately, we claw for an escape from that fear and a way to gain a feeling of control, even if that means collapsing under the weight of incorrect blame. Pressures from society, and language from our attackers can further enforce this message, making us believe that the abuse that we suffered was somehow our fault.
In Cases of Trauma, It’s Important To Identify True Blame
Step 4 is powerful and important because it helps us see those patterns that we can change in our lives. Step 4 allows us to let go of anger that may be holding us back from becoming who we want to be. It’s important to remember that the reason we let go of that anger isn’t always because it’s unjustified anger. Sometimes, it’s fair and right that we’re angry about illegal actions that others took against us. However, when that anger doesn’t serve us well, or handicaps us, it’s important to put it away for our own sake. Letting go of that anger doesn’t mean that you accept the blame. It’s not your fault. Some things are not in our control, but the way that you react and heal from that trauma now IS in your control.
When it’s navigated with compassion and a clear understanding of the effects of trauma, Step Four can empower us to overcome fears that have held us down for far too long, and find true healing through self-acceptance.