It’s Never Too Late to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences

By: Christa Banister

My sister texted me a picture of dinner at my Mom’s house recently. She and my two nieces were enjoying some Midwestern staples — namely tater tot hotdish — before heading out of town for vacation.

In addition to marveling at how much my nieces have grown in the past year, what stuck out most was the bright red bowl filled to the brim with salad. That same bowl graced the center of the dining room table during so many family dinners. A positive memory that immediately transported me back to small-town Wisconsin, it’s astonishing how certain aspects of childhood, even the seemingly small details, stick with us even decades later.

Along with the good, the bad — even traumatic — childhood experiences also stand the test of time. And these adverse childhood experiences (ACES) that happen anywhere from birth through age 17 can have a significant impact on mental and emotional health later on.

What Are ACEs and Why Do They Matter?

First off, it’s important to know that ACES aren’t rare instances relegated to a particular community. They’re common and far-reaching, and for demographics like children and several minority groups, there is a much greater risk of experiencing four or more types of ACES.

In research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with adults residing in 25 different states, 61% reported experiencing at least one ACE. Another one in six reported they’d experienced four or more types of ACES which can include:

• Living in a home where there are problems with substance abuse or mental health struggles
• Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect physically, emotionally, or psychologically
• Witnessing violence in the home or surrounding community
• Suicidal ideation from a family member
• A family member’s death by suicide
• Divorce or separation of parents or caregivers
• The imprisonment of a family member

When children experience trauma, it’s particularly detrimental because their brains are still in the process of developing. As a result, they are particularly vulnerable to its effects, which can which can disrupt normal brain development. 

Stunted brain development can manifest in a variety of ways including attention span, decision making, reading comprehension, overall learning, and stress management.

Long-Term Vulnerabilities of ACES

For some people, childhood trauma is something they compartmentalize, brush off, or rationalize. They may even be told that “time heals all wounds” or compare their trauma with someone else’s and feel it doesn’t stack up in comparison.

Unresolved childhood trauma, however, isn’t something that should be ignored. Not only is there a significantly higher risk of experiencing future trauma, but a litany of health problems can enter the picture including:

• Chronic disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• A tendency to engage in risky behavior
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Children growing up with the toxic stress that often accompanies ACES also may have difficulty forming healthy relationships because of the instability modeled for them. They may struggle to hold a job or pay the bills. They may find themselves struggling with depression and finding healthier coping mechanisms.

IF ACES are left unaddressed, it can be a vicious cycle that continues with the next generation of children, too. And in neighborhoods where systemic racism, poverty, and violence run rampant, the limited educational and economic opportunities can lead to further exposure to toxic stress.

The Journey to Healing Can Begin Now

In addition to wreaking havoc on the physical, emotional, and psychological health of billions, the economic and social costs to families, communities, and society costs billions of dollars each year. That’s why ACES prevention has never been more important.

Based on Senior Fellow Pia Mellody’s pioneering work, The Survivors I workshop is a healing, empowering experience that explores childhood trauma that continues to impact day-to-day life well into adulthood.

For those who’ve already been affected, the good news is it’s never too late to address adverse childhood experiences. No matter what stage you’re at in your personal growth, Rio Retreat Center at The Meadows offers healing, renewal, encouragement, and empowerment through a variety of workshops that address specific issues in a concentrated format.

This workshop is so important that everyone in our treatment programs undergoes this process. Some find it so helpful that they return to take it again at Rio Retreat or recommend it to family and loved ones. You don’t need to be in recovery to benefit. This workshop can be a source for renewal or for anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into their personal growth journey.

After completing Survivors I, The Survivors II workshop offers an advanced intensive experience where you can build upon what you’ve already learned in seeking freedom from lingering emotional and behavioral struggles. Including everything from art therapy to psychodrama, mindfulness, psychoeducation and other therapeutic techniques, Survivors II helps participants gain insight into unhealthy patterns and practice new relational skills in a safe environment.