FORMER drug addict and alcoholic who endured a childhood of sexual and physical abuse, Cynthia Morton, now a mother-of-two, uses her own experience to help others by talking at schools, jails and hospitals about the link between trauma and addiction.
She volunteers at the Royal Brisbane Hospital Detox Unit, and has established The Emotional Fitness Foundation, a national charity that provides and offers peer and clinical support for people struggling with trauma and addiction.
"I think when people need to heal from any sort of trauma they need to look in the eyes of someone else who has come through the other side," she said.
"I think one of the most tragic things that can happen to a human being is not so much the trauma, it's the hopelessness and the shame."
"We help people get started, and for many people who want to heal from trauma, they also have great shame about an addiction," she said. "It's sometimes too big a jump to go to a clinical specialist or a public meeting, and we have a very gentle approach with people.
"We help people with any sort of trauma, it can be sexual abuse or domestic violence, and for some people it's emotional neglect, death of a loved one or a sibling."
But Ms Morton said her types of clients would shock many people.
"Many of my clients are high achievers. I work with high-profile Olympians, QCs, I work with sex workers and street kids," she said.
"I also work with people who have over-achieved in the academic fields.
"People can have a perception these are the people who wouldn't need help."
She said about 70 per cent of people who have addiction problems have been traumatised as a child.
Ms Morton's foundation works in partnership with Griffith University.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |