title: Gender differences in trauma history and symptoms as predictors of relapse to alcohol and drug use.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine whether there are gender-specific associations between trauma exposure and alcohol or drug relapse in alcohol-dependent adults. Participants were 51 men (n = 24) and women (n = 27) with alcohol dependence, 22 (43.1%) of whom relapsed during study participation. Severity of childhood trauma; number of lifetime events evoking fear, helplessness, or horror; and current trauma symptoms all predicted relapse in women, but not in men. These findings highlight the importance of assessing trauma history and providing treatment of trauma-related symptoms for individuals with alcohol and drug dependence, and for women in particular.
authors.affiliation: Tri-State Tobacco and Alcohol Research Center, Addiction Sciences Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio, USA. Jaimee.Heffner@uc.edu
authors.forename: Jaimee L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Heffner
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Blom
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Anthenelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires