Childhood Trauma, Avoidance Coping, and Alcohol and Other Drug Use Among Women in Residential and Outpatient Treatment Programs

Abstract

This study evaluates the different types of childhood trauma, avoidance coping, and patterns of drug and alcohol use among 112 alcohol and drug abusing females in outpatient and residential treatment. A passive research design with self-report surveys was administered to female participants during treatment to assess the relationship between childhood trauma, coping methods, and alcohol and drug use. A multiple regression analysis demonstrated that women with a history of emotional abuse were more likely to engage in avoidance coping skills than those without a history of emotional abuse, which provides some support for the theory that alcohol and drug abuse may be an avoidance coping method for childhood trauma.

Pathways from childhood abuse to prospective revictimization: Depression, sex to reduce negative affect, and forecasted sexual behavior

“…Specifically, previous research has documented that CSA survivors are more likely to rely on avoidant coping strategies in response to distress (Fortier et al, 2009; Rosenthal, Rasmussen Hall, Palm, Batten, & Follette, 2005). Other researchers report that a history of diverse forms of childhood maltreatment (e.g., childhood physical and emotional abuse) results in increased reliance on avoidance-based coping (Gratz et al, 2007; Simons, Ducette, Kirby, Stahler, & Shipley, 2003). …”

Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Approaches to Anxiety

“…Child-focused research indicates a positive association between experiential control and neuroticism (a construct related to anxiety). For example, results of two investigations showed that high levels of cognitive and emotional avoidance mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and poor outcomes in adulthood, including psychological distress and substance use (Simons, Ducette, Kirby, Stahler, & Shipley, 2003). In a study specific to childhood anxiety, Dempsey and colleagues found that denial and mental distraction predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms among inner-city youth exposed to high levels of violence.…”

Profiles of Childhood Trauma in Patients with Alcohol Dependence and Their Associations with Addiction-Related Problems

“…Kilpatrick and colleagues () reported that drug use was related to a higher number of childhood sexual and physical abuse experiences compared with alcohol use. In a sample of women suffering from substance use disorders and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (Simons et al., ), current drug use was related to childhood physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, whereas current alcohol use was unrelated to childhood abuse. According to these results, patients with alcohol dependence may show different childhood trauma profiles than patients with illicit drug dependence.…”