Objective: To examine the impact of childhood abuse experiences (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and child neglect) on adult life functioning among methadone maintenance (MMTP) drop-outs. Methods: 426 subjects who dropped out of MMTP in the prior 12 months were recruited in NYC in 1997 - 1999. The alpha reliability coefficients of each of the four abuse scales were: .96, .90, .85, .78, respectively. Each scale was dichotomized (never vs. any). Adult life functioning was measured by Addiction Severity Index (ASI) composite scores, heroin use (no/yes, prior 30 days), and injection drug use (no/yes, prior 30 days). The four abuse indicators were used separately in examining the relationships with adult life functioning through Chi-square and t-tests. Results: 69% of the sample were male; 56% were Hispanic and 25% were African-American; 53% were high school graduates/GED or above; mean age was 39.8. The percentages of child abuse experience were: sexual abuse- 36%; physical abuse- 62%; emotional abuse- 57%; child neglect- 66%; all four experiences- 26%. Those who had been abused in childhood had significantly more severe problems (on ASI scores) relating to medical status, legal status, family/social relationships, and psychological adjustment than those who had not. Recent heroin use and injection drug use did not differ between the two groups (except that 75% of physically abused vs. 65% of non-abused group used heroin, p<.05). Conclusion: The significant findings support a need for drug dependency treatment programs to include specialized therapies for those who suffered adverse childhood experiences.
Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to: 1) learn the extent of childhood abuse experiences among MMTP drop-outs; and 2]assess the impact of the childhood trauma on adult life functioning
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.