Gender specific associations between types of childhood maltreatment and the onset, escalation and severity of substance use in cocaine dependent adults.
We examined associations between types of childhood maltreatment and the onset, escalation, and severity of substance use in cocaine dependent adults. In men (n = 55), emotional abuse was associated with a younger age of first alcohol use and a greater severity of substance abuse. In women (n = 32), sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and overall maltreatment was associated with a younger age of first alcohol use, and emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and overall maltreatment was associated with a greater severity of substance abuse. There was no association between childhood maltreatment and age of nicotine or cocaine use. However, age of first alcohol use predicted age of first cocaine use in both genders. All associations were stronger in women. Findings suggest that early intervention for childhood victims, especially females, may delay or prevent the early onset of alcohol use and reduce the risk for a more severe course of addiction.
Hyman
Scott M
SM
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. scott.hyman@yale.edu
Garcia
Miguel
M
Sinha
Rajita
R
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires