Understanding the role of childhood abuse and neglect as a cause and consequence of substance abuse: the German CANSAS network

Abstract

Background: Substance use disorders (SUD) belong to the most frequent behavioural consequences of childhood abuse and neglect (CAN). If parents are concerned, SUD are also an important risk factor for CAN. The relationship between CAN and SUD remains poorly understood. There is a need of adequate treatments for SUD patients suffering from the consequences of CAN, as well as for approaches to prevent CAN by parents with SUD. Objective: To describe the aims and the structure of a German research network on relationships between CAN and SUD (CANSAS network). Method: Descriptive overview of the aims, and the different project clusters of the network. Results: The aims of the CANSAS network are: (1) to examine relationships between SUD and CAN; (2) to examine the effects of an evidence-based treatment for SUD patients with posttraumatic disorders; and (3) to provide SUD services with tools to diagnose CAN, and to assess the risk of maltreatment among parents with SUD. The aims of the network are addressed by six projects in three different project clusters (mediators and risk factors, evidence-based treatment, and improvement of services). Conclusions: It is expected that the CANSAS network will advance the understanding of relationships between early adversity and substance use disorders. It will bring forward the discussion about promising treatments for SUD patients with experiences of CAN. Finally it will provide services with measures to identify patients with CAN, and with tools to break the trans-generational cycle of adversity.

Substance Abuse-Related Self-Stigma in Women with Substance Use Disorder and Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

“…The current study focuses on data assessed at baseline of a multicentre study on "Childhood Abuse and Neglect as a cause and consequence of Substance Abuse" (CANSAS-Study) [40], funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The CANSAS-Study is a nationwide German research project which examined the associations between PTSD and SUD within 6 subprojects.…”

“…The CANSAS-Study is a nationwide German research project which examined the associations between PTSD and SUD within 6 subprojects. The data presented here were assessed at baseline as part of a subproject on the cognitive-behavioural treatment for patients with PTSD and SUD (Project 2.A) [40]. In this project, female participants meeting DSM-IV criteria for both SUD and PTSD were recruited between October 2012 and June 2015 with the help of counselling agencies at 5 participating study sites (Hamburg, Cologne, Essen, Bielefeld, and Hannover), newspaper advertisements and other means.…”

Stress-related salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) activity in alcohol dependent patients with and without a history of childhood maltreatment

“…The study was part of a larger research network on relationships between CM and substance abuse (CANSASNetwork: Schäfer et al 2017). Of the entire sample, 130 individuals agreed to participate in the psychosocial stress test.…”

A multisite randomized controlled trial of Seeking Safety vs. Relapse Prevention Training for women with co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders

“…This clinical trial used a multisite, randomized, controlled design to investigate the efficacy of an integrated treatment for PTSD and SUD (Seeking Safety; Najavits, 2002) compared to an active control group (Relapse Prevention Training; Körkel & Schindler, 2003), both in addition to TAU, and a TAU only control. It was part of a larger research network on relationships between trauma and substance abuse (CANSAS-Network; Schäfer et al, 2017). The trial was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register under the ID DRKS00004288.…”