Abusing a child changes the victim’s brain, making the victim susceptible to drug addiction as she matures, according to drug addiction specialist, Dr. Gabor Mate, the author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts.

During an interview on Democracy Now! on February 3, 2010, Dr. Mate detailed the biophysical changes to the brain of an abused child and how that makes the child vulnerable to drug addiction.  His experience treating addicts is consistent with the results of the national studies he cites: 90% of hardcore addicts suffered child abuse that changed their brain circuitry.

I embedded Dr. Mate’s interview so you may watch it now.  Just click this video: