Childhood abuse history and substance use among men and women receiving detoxification services.
According to data collected from women and adolescents, a strong link exists between childhood abuse history and substance abuse. Using a sample of 274 women and 556 men receiving detoxification services, we explored whether the same pattern emerged across genders and types of abuse. Results revealed 20% of men and more than 50% of women reported childhood physical or sexual abuse. Sexual or physical abuse had negative sequelae, regardless of gender. Individuals with abuse history reported earlier age of onset of drinking, more problems associated with use of alcohol/drugs, more severe psychopathology, and more lifetime arrests, arrests related to substance use, and arrests related to mental health. Prevention and proactive intervention activities are crucial to prevent negative sequelae of childhood victimization.
Brems
Christiane
C
Department of Psychology, Behavioral Health Research and Services, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA. afcb@uaa.alaska.edu
Johnson
Mark E
ME
Neal
David
D
Freemon
Melinda
M
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D015205:Northwestern United States; D010343:Patient Admission; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation