Experiencias traumáticas asociadas a la adicción al alcohol en adultos emergentes.

Abstract

Traumatic experiences are considered events that trigger fear and significant distress in the individual who experiences them, overwhelming their ability to cope. As a result, some individuals develop problematic substance use, specifically alcohol addiction, which becomes a coping mechanism. This literature review aims to analyze the relationship between traumatic experiences associated with alcohol addiction in emerging adults through an analysis of various scientific articles in high-impact databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. The findings show that adverse events occurring more frequently at an early age, such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, are significantly related to the development of alcohol consumption in emerging adults, along with the presence of symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and dependence. The reviewed studies indicate that exposure to trauma and problematic alcohol consumption mostly show a positive correlation, meaning that the greater the number of traumatic experiences, the higher the risk of developing alcohol addiction. Therefore, being a complex issue, it requires a multifaceted approach, along with the integration of prevention strategies, psychotherapeutic treatment, and public policies aimed at reducing vulnerability in this population to mitigate the adverse effects that trauma can bring, promote more adaptive coping strategies, improve quality of life, and achieve a balance in overall well-being, including psychological, emotional, and social aspects.