IS ABUSE DURING CHILDHOOD A RISK FACTOR FOR DEVELOPING SUBSTANCE-ABUSE PROBLEMS AS AN ADULT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between a h istory of childhood physical abuse and later substance abuse, controll ing for family history of substance abuse. The study was a cross-secti onal survey. Subjects were a convenience sample of mothers with childr en younger than 6 years being seen for routine care in five pediatric clinics. Mothers were given an anonymous, self-administered questionna ire on demographics, substance abuse, history of physical abuse, and f amily history of substance abuse. Of the 733 respondents, 24% reported having been physically abused, 24% reported a family history of subst ance abuse, and 36% had a positive screen for substance abuse. A posit ive screen for substance abuse was more common among those who reporte d having been abused than those who had not (47% vs 32%, p <.001). Aft er controlling for family history of substance abuse, a history of bei ng abused remained significantly associated with current substance abu se (odds ratio = 1.58, 95% confidence interval 1.1,2.2). Suffering abu se during childhood is a significant risk factor for later substance a buse, even after controlling for a family history of substance abuse. Clinicians treating victims of abuse may wish to include substance abu se prevention measures.