Is Abuse during Childhood a Risk Factor for Developing Substance Abuse Problems as an Adult?

Resilience characteristics mitigate tendency for harmful alcohol and illicit drug use in adults with a history of childhood abuse: A cross-sectional study of 2024 inner-city men and women

“…The second study, the 2007 National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol abuse or dependence, found that the prevalence of lifetime alcohol use disorder was higher in men than women (42% vs. 19.5%) (Hasin et al, 2007). Also consistent with prior studies is our finding that childhood abuse or other trauma exposure was associated with higher levels of lifetime harmful and hazardous alcohol and illicit drug use (Bennett and Kemper, 1994; Downs and Harrison, 1998; Green et al, 2010a; Kendler et al, 2000; McLaughlin et al, 2010). …”

“…Exposure to traumatic experiences, including childhood abuse, substantially increases one’s risks for psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, substance abuse or dependence, or a combination of these disorders (Alim et al, 2008; Bennett and Kemper, 1994; Downs and Harrison, 1998; Dunca et al, 1996; Eisen et al, 2004; Petrakis et al, 2011; Weiss et al, 1999). Longitudinal studies suggest that these psychiatric disorders can persist for many years after trauma exposure (up to 40 years in one study), and are less likely to respond to treatment (Boe et al, 2011; Hull et al, 2002; Kadri et al, 2006; Nanni et al, 2011).…”

“…As a trauma, childhood abuse has quite unique and important implications in that it can exert negative influences on sensitive developmental periods for emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social domains, interrupt healthy development, and lead to increased risk for psychopathology. Substance abuse or dependence is one of the most common psychological sequella of childhood abuse (Bennett and Kemper, 1994; Downs and Harrison, 1998; Green et al, 2010a; Kendler et al, 2000; McLaughlin et al, 2010). Despite the increased risk associated with exposure to childhood abuse and other traumas, some individuals develop effective coping responses and are successful in one or more important life domains such as relationship or work, illustrating the concept of resilience (Alim et al, 2008; Collishaw et al, 2007; Fergusson and Lynskey, 1996).…”

The relationship between sexual and physical abuse and substance abuse consequences

“…The lack of association between age of onset of physical or sexual abuse and substance abuse in women contradicts other findings that childhood abuse (and earlier onset of violence) is associated with greater risk of substance abuse problems as adults (Bennett & Kember, 1994;Fleming, Mullen, Sibthorpe, Attewell, & Bammer, 1998;Medrano, Zule, Hatch, & Desmond, 1999;Miller, Downs, Gondoli, & Keil, 1987;Miller, Downs, & Testa, 1993;Spak, Spak, & Allebeck, 1998;Walker et al, 1999;Wilsnack, Vogeltanz, Klassen, & Harris, 1997). These studies differed from the study reported here in that they either did not account for the possibility of abuse occurring in adulthood or they measured the risk of developing alcohol abuse, not substance use consequences.…”

Pathological Gambling among Elderly Veterans

“…18 Studies of patients in treatment for substance use disorders have found that a significant number have suffered physical or sexual abuse at some point in time, 19,20 and exposure to physical and sexual abuse has been found to both precede and contribute to substance abuse 21,22 and to be associated with higher levels of psychopathology, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among substance abusers. 23 Most recently, Rosen et al, 24 using the ASI, studied 20,611 veterans from across the country diagnosed with substance use disorders (SUDs) and determined that 63% of women and 25% of men had experienced lifetime physical abuse, and 51% of women and 8% of men had experienced a history of sexual abuse.…”