Adverse Childhood Experiences and Addiction in Adolescence and Adulthood: from Research to Clinical Practice

Traumatic experiences are recognized as a significant risk factor for the development of substance-related and behavioral addictions in both adolescence and adulthood. Despite extensive research, much work remains to be done to clarify the mechanisms underlying the relationship between trauma and the onset and maintenance of addictive behaviors. It is also necessary to understand the association between trauma and the emerging forms of behavioral or substance addiction observed in recent years. Further research should extend current knowledge to different cultural contexts and promote the development or adaptation of culturally sensitive tools for investigating the trauma–addiction relationship. Moreover, more scientific evidence is needed regarding the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs, such as psychotherapeutic, social, or pharmacological interventions, for individuals with addictions who have been exposed to traumatic experiences.This Research Topic aims to clarify the mechanisms linking trauma and adverse developmental experiences to the onset, course, and maintenance of substance-related and behavioral addictions and to translate that knowledge into improved assessment, prevention, and clinical care. We seek studies that move beyond association to illuminate causality, mediators, moderators, and developmental timing through longitudinal, experimental, and translational designs, as well as neuroimaging and psychometric approaches. We also welcome intervention research evaluating trauma‑informed prevention, early intervention, and treatment approaches, including randomized trials, pilot or feasibility studies, and implementation reports. Recent advances in computational modeling, epigenetics, neurocircuitry, and scalable digital interventions offer new opportunities to identify mechanistic targets and tailor interventions for trauma‑exposed populations. By assembling interdisciplinary contributions, this Research Topic aims to foster evidence‑based, trauma‑informed strategies to reduce addiction risk and improve outcomes across the lifespan.To gather further insights into the relationship between adverse developmental experiences and addictive behaviors, we invite contributions from researchers worldwide, with particular emphasis on under‑researched cultural and national contexts. We welcome both empirical (cross‑sectional, longitudinal, case, and experimental) and theoretical (systematic reviews, scoping reviews, meta‑analyses, and conceptual) works. Relevant themes may include, but are not limited to:• Mechanisms linking trauma and adverse childhood experiences to addictive behaviors• Developmental timing and trajectories of addiction vulnerability• Neurobiological, cognitive, and psychosocial correlates of trauma‑related addiction• Culturally sensitive assessment tools and cross‑cultural perspectives• Trauma‑informed prevention, early intervention, and treatment approaches• Evaluation of psychotherapy, social support, or pharmacological programs for trauma‑exposed individuals with addictionArticle types welcomed include Original Research, Systematic Review, Mini Review, Brief Research Report, Conceptual Analysis, and Review articles. Topic editors: Matteo Angelo Fabris, Dawid Konrad Scigala Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81874/adverse-childhood-experiences-and-addiction-in-adolescence-and-adulthood-from-research-to-clinical-practice