Citation

Moncrieff J, Drummond DC, Candy B, Checinski K, Farmer R. Br. J. Psychiatry 1996; 169(3): 355-360.

Affiliation

Department of Addictive Behaviour, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8879723

Abstract

Several community-based studies have found significantly higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse among those with a history of child sexual abuse. This association was investigated further in a sample of 126 consecutive attendees (89 men and 37 women) at three alcohol treatment centers in London, England. 25 men (24%) and 21 women (54%) reported a sexual abuse history. 43 (69%) of the 62 perpetrators reported by respondents were not family members. The mean age at first occurrence of abuse was 12.6 years and 75% of victims were 15 years of age or younger at first incident. Victims of sexual abuse were younger at presentation for treatment and had significantly higher scores on the Severity of Dependence Questionnaire and the Alcohol Problem Questionnaire than their nonabused counterparts. They also developed drinking problems at an earlier age and were more likely to have other psychiatric problems. 53.4% of the variance in drinking was contributed by alcohol dependence, age, and sexual abuse. These findings suggest that sexual abuse is a common childhood experience among men and women who seek help for alcohol problems. However, the lack of a control group of non-drinkers limits assessment of a possible causal link between child sexual abuse and subsequent alcohol misuse.

Language: en