ACEs are adverse childhood experiences. I like the choice of words here because I’ve found that many of us don’t relate to the word “trauma,” but almost all of us can identify with “adversity.” In a previous blog article entitled “My Three Pillars of Healing,” I introduced the term “ACE exploration.” In this article, I explain what ACE means, where it came from, and why it’s important.

In the mid-1990s, the HMO Kaiser Permanente’s launched research into what they called “adverse childhood experiences.” It was a landmark study, which connected ACEs to disease and addiction. Knowing a bit about ACEs can help us understand the reasons why we struggle, which can help reduce shame and be quite liberating.

Kaiser surveyed about 13,000 of its patients asking questions about childhood experience.The survey comprised 7 categories, which included experiences in childhood of abuse, violence against the mother, and substance abuse in the family, among others. The study also asked about current physical symptoms and diagnoses.

The results of this ground-breaking study indicated a strong relationship between childhood exposure to adversity and adulthood instances of substance abuse, high sexual activity, and physical disease.

In a recent interview, the physician Dr. Aimie Apigian made this bold statement: “Every chronic disease has now been associated with childhood trauma.” Wow, that's a big statement! (You can learn more about Dr. Apigian below.)

As I mentioned above, you may not relate to the word “trauma,” but you may more easily identify with “adversity.” Adversity can include difficulties such as loss, betrayal, rejection, being bullied at one time, and even not having our needs met - not just our physical needs but also our emotional needs.

Viewing our present-day hurts, habits, and hangups from this lens of childhood adversity can help reduce shame and stigma. It’s recognizing there’s a reason why I struggle - I’m not crazy. So whether it’s anxiety, addiction, overwhelming stress, sleepless nights, or binge eating, it’s not so much about your goodness or badness as a person as it is about your biology as a human and how it adapted to the stresses of life. Viewing our challenges this way can be incredibly liberating.

I have personal experience in the journey toward healing from problematic sexual habits, love addiction, and binge drinking. My passion is to share with those struggling with addiction or harmful habits the hope and possibility for freedom. - Brian

Learn more about Dr. Aimie Apigian: www.traumahealingaccelerated.com

Adverse Childhood Experiences (and How They Relate to Disease and Addiction)