What's an ACE score? Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Its Lasting Impact
- Johan Nickols
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Have you ever wondered why certain behaviors, emotions, or addictions seem to persist into adulthood, even when everything “on paper” looks fine? Your ACE score is a crucial component to consider. ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences, and it measures the amount of trauma—divided into three categories: household dysfunction, neglect, and abuse—that a child experiences before their 18th birthday. By examining ACE scores, we gain insight into how early adversity can shape long-term health, well-being, and behavior.
The Origin of ACE Research
In the mid-1990s, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente launched an ambitious study. Between 1995 and 1997, over 17,300 participants completed questionnaires about their childhood environments and adult health outcomes.
The results revealed a striking pattern: individuals with higher ACE scores were far more likely to experience chronic health conditions, mental illness, and high-risk behaviors. Since then, hundreds of follow-up studies have confirmed and expanded on those findings.
You can explore many of these studies (up to 2011) at Research « ACEs Too High or take the original ACE questionnaire yourself—for free—through NPR’s “Take The ACE Quiz.”
How Adverse Childhood Experiences Affects Long-Term Health
One of the most pressing questions is, “How does childhood trauma affect my health and well-being decades later?” Researchers have found that ACEs disrupt a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. When a young brain is under constant stress—whether from neglect, abuse, or household dysfunction—it adapts by prioritizing survival overgrowth. In practical terms, that often means developing coping mechanisms (e.g., substance use, overeating, risk-taking) that soothe the nervous system in the short term but carry long-term consequences.
Social, emotional, and cognitive impairment: Chronic stress changes how a child’s brain processes emotions and forms relationships.
Coping behaviors and addictions: To relieve the constant tension, many turn to addictive behaviors—smoking, alcohol, drugs, or other high-risk habits.
Long-term health impact: Over time, these coping strategies can lead to serious illness—even early mortality—if the underlying trauma remains unaddressed.
“Adverse childhood experiences are the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today.”— Dr. Robert Block, former President of the American Academy of Pediatrics
ACE Scores and Adult Outcomes: What the Numbers Show
Below are just a few of the staggering statistics linking ACE scores with adult health and behavior:
Two-thirds of people report at least one adverse childhood experience.
Compared to an ACE score of zero, a score of four or more can mean:
700% increase in lifetime risk of alcoholism
Double the risk of being diagnosed with cancer
4× higher chance of emphysema
4.5× more likely to develop depression
11× more likely to abuse intravenous drugs
4× more likely to become sexually active by age 15
An ACE score above six is associated with a 30× increase in suicide attempts and can shorten lifespan by roughly 20 years.
Potential Reductions If ACEs Were Prevented
Researchers estimate that eliminating childhood trauma entirely could prevent numerous adult issues:
Health Conditions (blue table)
Depressive disorder: 44% fewer cases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): 27% fewer cases
Asthma: 24% fewer cases
Kidney disease: 16% fewer cases
Stroke: 15% fewer cases
Coronary heart disease: 13% fewer cases
Cancer: 6% fewer cases
Diabetes: 6% fewer cases
Obesity: 2% fewer cases
Health Risk Behaviors (orange table)
Current smoking: 33% reduction in adulthood
Heavy drinking: 24% reduction in adulthood
Socioeconomic Challenges (green table)
Unemployment: 15% reduction
Earning less than a high school education: 5% reduction
Not having health insurance: 4% reduction
Why You Should Address Adverse Childhood Experiences Now
Many people think, “Childhood is long gone—why dredge up old memories?” However, unresolved trauma can resurface subtly.en, it manifests as:
People-pleasing or an overwhelming need for external approval
Codependency in relationships (believing you must fix or save others)
Living on high alert—constantly scanning for danger, even when none exists
Fear of abandonment or difficulty trusting people
Self-sabotaging behaviors—from chronic self-criticism to tolerating abuse
Left unchecked, these patterns can erode self-esteem, damage relationships, and interfere with everyday functioning. That’s why working through childhood trauma isn’t just about “feeling better”; it’s about reshaping your entire life trajectory.
Twelve Signs Your Wounded Inner Child Is Running the Show
If you recognize any of the following patterns, it may be your inner child calling for attention:
Anxiety when making new decisions
Believing there’s something inherently wrong with you
Constantly needing to please others
Trouble standing up for yourself or sharing your opinions
Chronic self-criticism
Discomfort expressing strong emotions (trying to stay “neutral”)
Extreme reactions whenever you do let yourself get upset
Relentless conflict avoidance
Feeling responsible for other people’s emotions
Difficulty saying “No”
Trouble letting go of the past
Finding it difficult to trust people
Recognizing these signs is the first step toward change. The next step is finding a method that rewires your brain’s stress response.
How Multi-Level Neuro-Processing™ (MLNP™) Can Help
At Silentia, we specialize in Multi-Level Neuro-Processing™, a gentle, neuroscience-based approach that:
Identifies Your Unique “Trigger Map”: We pinpoint exactly which sensory inputs—sounds, smells, images, or even certain thoughts—activate your brain’s “smoke detector” (the amygdala).
Retrains Your Brain’s Response: Through targeted exercises, MLNP™ helps update those old “threat files” so your brain no longer sounds a false alarm.
Empowers You to Live Well: Instead of merely “coping” with symptoms, you learn to process emotions safely, reduce chronic stress, and reclaim mental clarity.
By addressing trauma at the neurological level, MLNP™ goes beyond traditional talk therapy. You don’t just learn strategies for managing anxiety; you reprogram the pathways that have been hijacking your life since childhood.
Take the Next Step: Reclaim Your Health and Well-Being
The good news is that healing is possible—no matter how high your ACE score. If you recognize any of the twelve signs listed above, or if you’re curious about how your childhood experiences might still be influencing your present, here’s what you can do:
Take the Free ACE Quiz Online: Visit the NPR website’s “Take The ACE Quiz" — And Learn What It Does and Doesn’t Mean” to discover where you stand.
Reflect on Your Results: Understanding your score helps you see why certain patterns - people-pleasing, anxiety, self-criticism - persist.
Reach Out to Silentia: Through MLNP™, Johan can guide you step by step toward rewiring those old neural pathways. You’ll learn to process past trauma safely, reduce anxiety, and build healthier relationships.
Contact me today to schedule a free consultation. Let’s work together to help you live life optimally again—mind, body, and spirit.
References & Resources
Original ACE Study (1995–1997), CDC/Kaiser Permanente
Research « ACEs Too High (Studies and outcomes through 2011)
Take The ACE Quiz — NPR Shots: Health News
By understanding and addressing your ACE score, you’re not just looking backward - you’re creating a healthier, happier future. At Silentia, we believe every individual deserves a chance to rewrite their story and live with confidence and well-being. If childhood trauma is still whispering in your mind, let’s work together to silence those old alarms and rediscover your true potential.
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