Trauma & Toxic Stress
"Trauma and toxic stress are intense, prolonged experiences (e.g., abuse, neglect, chronic poverty) that overwhelm a person’s coping mechanisms, resulting in lasting physical and emotional damage. Unlike normal stress, toxic stress keeps the body’s alarm system active, disrupting brain development, weakening immune systems, and raising the long-term risk of serious health conditions and cognitive challenges." -
Title:
Citation: Veneziani G, Giraldi E, Panagini G, Marano G, Festa GM, Mazza M, Lai C. The role of cumulative adverse childhood experiences in the interrelationships among addictive behaviors: A network analysis study. Addict Behav. 2026 Apr;175:108610. doi: 0.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108610. Epub 2026 Jan 8. PMID: 41529544.
Abstract
Purpose: The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the differences and interrelationships of addictive behaviors (both substance and behavior-related, such as gaming and overeating) according to adverse childhood experiences.
Method: A total of 802 participants recruited from the Italian general population completed the brief Screener for Substance and Behavioral Addiction and Childhood Traumatic Events Scale. Based on reported adverse childhood experiences, participants were divided into three groups: no adverse experience, single adverse experience, and multiple adverse experiences. The interrelationships among addictive behaviors in the groups were assessed using a network analysis approach.
Results:
1. The multiple adverse experiences group reported significantly higher levels of addictive
behaviors related to tobacco, overeating, and sex.
2. In the multiple adverse experiences group, addictive behaviors were more interrelated,
displaying a greater number of associations among each other than in the no adverse
experience and single adverse experience groups.
3. Particularly, in the multiple adverse experiences group, substance-related addictive
behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine) showed strong interrelationships,
suggesting a pattern of polysubstance use.
4. In the multiple adverse experiences group, overeating showed associations with the other
types of addictive behaviors.
5. Lastly, in each group, compulsive sex was associated with most of the other types of
addictive behaviors, and, specifically, in the multiple adverse experiences group, it
showed connections with shopping and overworking, while in the no adverse experience
group, with cannabis, videogaming, and overeating.
Conclusions: The main findings of the study showed that individuals with cumulative adverse childhood experiences not only reported higher severity of single addictive behaviors, but also greater interrelationships among each other, highlighting in these individuals a potential pattern of mutual reinforcement and links between several addictive behaviors.
Notes from Duane McBride: These finding help us understand that early trauma is a prime cause of a wide variety of behavioral and mental health problems and a major prevention focus must include trauma prevention and trauma recovery. A failure to do so results in multiple physical and mental health problems!
Title:
Citation: Xiong Y, Lindersten P, Gong T, Magnusson PKE, Liu S, Lu Y. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Treatment-Resistant Depression. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(3):e260222. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0222
Key Points
Question: Are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) associated with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) after accounting for unmeasured familial confounding?
Findings: In this cohort study of 21,192 twins, each additional ACE exposure was associated with a higher risk of TRD, with associations remaining in co-twin control analyses that controlled for familial confounding. Physical neglect and sexual abuse in particular showed a greater magnitude of associations, with each ACE conferring a higher risk of TRD compared with no ACE.
Conclusion and meaning :The finding that ACEs are associated with increased TRD risk independent of familial factors suggests ACE history may help identify individuals with major depressive disorder at high risk for treatment resistance.
Title:
Citation: Chen B, Xue E, Li Y, et al. Life-Course Psychosocial Stress and Risk of Dementia and Stroke in Middle-Aged and Older Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(1):e2556012. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.56012
Key Points
Question: Are adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adverse adulthood experiences (AAEs) associated with an increased risk of incident dementia and stroke in middle-aged and older adults in China?
Findings: In this cohort study of 11鈥�601 adults, exposure to high levels of ACEs and AAEs was significantly associated with increased dementia risk, with AAEs also being associated with increased stroke risk; depression partially mediated these associations.
Notes from Duane McBride: These findings suggest that life-course adverse experiences may increase the risks of dementia and stroke partly through depression, underscoring the importance of early identification of psychosocial stressors and preventative strategies aimed at mental health and trauma support. And they remind us that early and life course trauma plays a major role in cognitive health.