Many people seek help only after years of using alcohol to cope with unresolved emotional struggles. Behind the stereotypes is a far more complex addiction that can be triggered by trauma, grief, mental illness, major life changes and years of using alcohol to cope with emotional pain. He said many people believed alcohol was helping them cope, until they realised it had become part of the problem. Trauma is often the underlying causeSocial worker Ingrid Pollak of Inner Essence said the underlying problem was not alcohol at all, but unresolved emotional pain. “Whatever you perceive as trauma, that triggers you, that is a trauma,” Pollak said.