Predisposition: Childhood Trauma and Emotional Scars
Michael’s struggles with addiction can be traced back to his childhood trauma. Both parents were emotionally and physically abusive toward him. He moved out of their house when he was 18. His father’s heavy drinking and his mother’s suspected alcohol and prescription drug abuse further contributed to his own vulnerability to addiction. This traumatic upbringing left Michael with deep emotional scars that persisted into adulthood.
He experienced a PTSD episode at 19, and was diagnosed with PTSD. He has also been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. All of these predisposing factors are likely to have made him more susceptible to substance abuse.