Adult Child The Truth About ACEs: Breaking Generational Cycles with Dr. Nzinga Harrison
You’ve probably heard of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), but do you know how they shape your life—and how to break free from the cycles they create? In this week’s powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Nzinga Harrison—psychiatrist, addiction expert, co-founder of Eleanor Health, and all-around badass—as we unpack how childhood trauma, addiction, activism, and healing intersect.
Nzinga’s story is one of resilience and radical love:
- Growing up in a family touched by both substance use disorder and activism
- Navigating her father’s PTSD and leadership in the Black Panther Militia
- Turning adversity into action through her work in trauma-informed addiction care
This conversation will hit home for anyone navigating the long shadows of childhood trauma, and especially for those of us committed to breaking the cycle for ourselves and future generations.
💡 In this episode, we discuss:
- ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and PCES (Positive Childhood Experiences)—and how both shape your healing journey
- The impact of family dynamics, addiction, and racism on mental health
- Nzinga’s personal story of injustice: her brother’s wrongful incarceration and her family’s fight for justice
- Trauma-informed care and why timing is everything when it comes to addressing trauma
- How Nzinga’s work at Eleanor Health is transforming addiction treatment with compassion, equity, and science
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