Loss and Trauma in the Lives of People with a History of Drug Abuse

This article is part of a life story inquiry of how people make meaning of their past drug abuse in terms of childhood loss and trauma. The stories show how, when a traumatized child is silenced, the trauma is compounded. Vivid memories and images capture the rhythm and poetic quality of the spoken word, allowing the reader to appreciate their narrative structure, meaning, and emotional impact. Links are made with theories concerning the way the body and mind respond to unprocessed trauma and the development of drug or alcohol misuse.