What Happens When You Don’t Address Religious Trauma

If you’ve been through religious trauma, it’s tempting to just move on and not think about it. You might tell yourself that leaving the church or walking away from the controlling environment is enough. But the truth is, religious trauma doesn’t just disappear on its own.

Take Emily, for example. After years of being told she was sinful and not worthy of love, she left her strict religious upbringing behind. But those feelings of shame and unworthiness didn’t leave her. They followed her into every relationship and every job. Without addressing the roots of those beliefs, Emily found herself constantly doubting her self-worth, always feeling like she wasn’t good enough, even outside of religion.

One of the ways people often cope with unresolved religious trauma is through substance abuse. For someone like Jessica, alcohol became a way to numb the anxiety and guilt that followed her, long after she left her church. Growing up, she had learned that even the smallest mistakes were sinful, so as an adult, she never felt free from judgment. She started drinking to quiet the inner voice that constantly criticized her. What began as a way to take the edge off turned into a habit that controlled her life. Jessica isn’t alone—many people who’ve experienced religious trauma turn to substances to escape the emotional pain, only to find that it deepens their suffering in the long run.