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Gender Differences in Trauma History and Symptoms as Predictors of Relapse to Alcohol and Drug Use
Author(s) -
Heffner Jaimee L.,
Blom Thomas J.,
Anthenelli Robert M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2011.00141.x
Subject(s) - learned helplessness , alcohol , psychiatry , clinical psychology , medicine , drug , alcohol dependence , psychology , biochemistry , chemistry
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. (Am J Addict 2011;00:1–5)