Citation

Nomura Y, Hurd YL, Pilowsky DJ. Subst. Use Misuse 2012; 47(12): 1281-1292.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Queens College , CUNY, Flushing, New York , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/10826084.2012.695420

PMID

22780838

Abstract

The current study examined the cumulative risk, age of initiation, and functional impairments among adults with substance use problems (N = 1748) by child abuse status. Child abuse was associated with earlier initiation of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin use, and had greater risks for all the drugs studied (hazard ratios, 1.7-3.2). Furthermore, child abuse was associated with increased medical and functional impairments, including ER visits, health problems, drug dealing, drug dependence, and drug cravings. Provision of social services and parenting education during the perinatal period may prevent the long-term impact of child abuse on substance use and related impairments. The study's limitations are noted.

Language: en