Many pieces of research have already been done concerning how traumatic experiences can influence future behaviors, either for the victims or for witnesses. And now, a new SAMHSA Report has been released related to the same subject.

This report was based on a study of the characteristics of adults who has PTSS (post-traumatic stress symptoms) as well as adults who were exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and their relation with behavioral health and health conditions. And according to the results achieved, there is a correlation between the post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), the exposure to traumatic events, and both negative behavioral health and health results.

According to the study conclusions, adults exposed to PTEs tended to be veterans, older, and non-Hispanic white. When they were only exposed to one PTE, the study revealed that they tended to suffer from high blood pressure, asthma, ulcer, sinusitis, depression and anxiety. However, when they were exposed at least to two PTEs, their health was even more affected. They were more likely to engage in heavy drinking, illicit drug use, and binge drinking. And the health problems are still worse when the adult experienced PTEs. In this case, adults were more likely to have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), strong depressions, mental illness, serious psychological distress, and even suicidal thoughts.

This study finally proves the direct influence that PTSD and trauma exposure have personal, social and economic costs.

Despite all these conclusions, we are all different. So, everyone has their own way to handle with traumatic experiences. This means that potentially traumatic effects do not need to have the same results for everyone. So, it would be important to see what makes these people, who aren’t affected in their future by these potentially traumatic events, different. This way, it would be possible to discover which factors can help decrease the risk of people developing either PTSD as well as PTSS.

And this is something that the new SAMHSA Report can help with. It clearly makes an effort to identify not only prevention as well as treatment, and recovery. It doesn’t forget to display the services, support approaches and interventions that can help people to deal with past traumas as well as to help those people who have their health or behavioral health at risk.

Stories like David Washington’s should serve as inspiration. Despite the fact that he suffered a traumatic event when he was just 7 years old, he passed through rough times. He went to the extreme of being an addicted person who even had blackouts and with serious health conditions like high blood pressure and asthma to someone who, with the right addiction treatment and recovery resources, was able to reach a substance-free life. Now, he spends his life talking about his experiences and trying to help others struggling with substance use disorders and trauma. You can read more about David’s story here.