Sobriety is often seen as a significant milestone, a marker of a new beginning after years of battling addiction. However, even with years of clean living, some deeper challenges remain—challenges that sobriety alone can not heal. One of the most profound obstacles to genuine emotional freedom is unaddressed childhood trauma.
The wounds we carry from our earliest experiences continue to shape our perceptions, reactions, and relationships long after the substances are gone. And in intimate relationships, these wounds can be especially potent, creating dynamics where we subconsciously seek to recreate the relationship we had—or wished we had—with our parents.
The wounds of childhood do not simply vanish as we grow older. Instead, they become part of the fabric of our being, influencing how we see ourselves, others, and the world. Whether we were neglected, abandoned, criticized, or overprotected, these early experiences teach us how to relate to those closest to us. As children, our caregivers are our first mirrors. How they respond to our needs, emotions, and vulnerabilities shapes our sense of worth and safety in the world.
When these needs are not adequately met, we carry that unmet longing into adulthood. And no matter how long we've been sober, these unmet needs can manifest in our intimate relationships. We unconsciously seek out partners who we believe will fill those emotional gaps—who will love us, validate us, or care for us in the ways we wish our parents had. Yet, this expectation sets our relationships up for struggle because no partner can fully heal the wounds of our past.
#ChildhoodTrauma #relationship #codependency
More on Childhood Wounds HERE ⬇️
https://www.sickandtiredrecovery.com/embracing-the-wounded-child-healing-from-trauma-and-addiction/
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