Understanding Childhood Trauma and Its Impact on Addiction - December 11, 2025

A 6-Hour Training with Christine Capshew, LCSW

8:30am-4:00pm

130 Pembroke Road, Suite 150, Concord, NH 03301

Presentation: The goal of this presentation is to deepen participants’ understanding of how childhood trauma and attachment disruption contribute to the development of substance use disorders, and to enhance trauma-informed clinical skills that foster safety, regulation, and resilience in recovery work. 

As a result of this training, participants will be able to: 

1. Define childhood trauma, complex trauma, and ACEs, and describe their relevance to substance use;
2. Explain how early adversity affects brain development, attachment, and emotional regulation;
3. Describe how childhood self-soothing and survival strategies can evolve into addictive adult behaviors;
4. Apply trauma-informed principles and language when assessing or discussing client behavior and treatment needs;
5. Utilize at least three practical strategies to support client regulation and safety (e.g., grounding, co-regulation, mindfulness, body awareness);
6. Analyze client cases using a developmental trauma-informed lens to identify possible trauma pathways to substance use; and 
7. Integrate trauma-informed interventions such as narrative work, somatic awareness, and inner child techniques into clinical or peer recover practice.

6 Contact Hours Available

CRSW Performance Domains: 3-4
LADC/MLADC Categories of Competence: 5-7, 11 & 13-17
Certified Prevention Specialist Domains: 2-3 & 6
NBCC: LICSW/L-MFT/LCMHC (Category A) & Psychologist (Category A) 

NH Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No 6754. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NHADACA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

This course has been approved by New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association (NHADACA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #23792, NHADACA is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

This training is financed under a contract with the State of NH, Department of Health and Human Services, with funds provided in part by the State of NH and/or such funding sources as were available or required, e.g., the United States Department of Health and Human Services.