Premium
Childhood adversity in alcohol‐ and drug‐dependent women presenting to out‐patient treatment
Author(s) -
BERRY RAINE,
SELLMAN J. DOUGLAS
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1080/09595230127396
Subject(s) - psychiatry , clinical psychology , sexual abuse , drug , psychology , medicine , sexual intercourse , alcohol abuse , suicide prevention , poison control , medical emergency , population , environmental health
Eighty alcohol‐ and/or drug‐dependent women who were consecutive admissions to a representative out‐patient alcohol and drug service in Christchurch were interviewed with the aim of establishing the extent of exposure to childhood adversity including childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse and parental problems. The results show that a sizeable percentage of the women came from backgrounds characterized by parental conflict and alcohol and drug problems. Within their first 15 years 51% were subjected to sexual abuse involving attempted or completed oral, anal or vaginal intercourse and 39% were exposed regularly to physical abuse perpetrated by their parents or main parental figures. Over half reported experiencing emotional abuse rated as being ‘very distressing’ and two‐thirds had been exposed to ‘very distressing’ parental problems. The main implication for clinical practice arising from the results of this study is the need for the development of a broader approach to alcohol and drug service provision. In order to achieve positive treatment outcomes, alcohol and drug services may need to routinely screen and plan treatment for childhood adversity and associated problems in all clients presenting for alcohol and drug treatment.