Yesterday marked the launch of “Start With the Truth: Trauma & Addiction,” a campaign by TSAFI, an initiative of Drug Free America Foundation and the World Federation Against Drugs. The campaign runs in both English and Spanish and puts a spotlight on something too often ignored in prevention, treatment, and recovery systems: trauma. While substance use is rising across the globe, trauma remains one of the strongest predictors of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and still the most under-addressed factor.

Trauma is not just a story or background detail. It is a neurological and biological reality that lives in our brains, bodies, and communities. When it is overlooked, treatment efforts struggle to create long-lasting change. Prevention of trauma itself, as well as trauma-informed care, must become central to how we address addiction if we want to reduce the numbers and build healthier communities.

That is exactly what TSAFI is working to achieve. With this campaign, they are pushing for a paradigm shift: to stop treating only symptoms and instead face the root causes. Over the next two weeks, a series of reels will highlight the connection between trauma and addiction, leading up to a final bilingual message that underlines the need to fully integrate trauma into our services.

The campaign is also interactive, inviting people to share their questions about trauma and addiction via email or Instagram. These questions will be explored throughout the campaign, keeping the conversation open, evidence-based, and compassionate. Join the effort, follow TSAFI, and share the message to help break stigma and start with the truth.

Find more from the World Federation Against Drugs (August 2025)