Abuse in childhood could lead to alcohol addiction as an adult

Abuse in childhood appears to be a particularly strong risk factor for developing alcohol addiction later in life, researchers reported Thursday.

Alcohol dependence is linked to many risk factors — including genetics, drinking in adolescence and having other mental health disorders. A history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse in childhood is known to be another risk factor. The new study, however, shows how strong this link could be.

Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse surveyed 196 men and women who were inpatients being treated for alcohol dependence. Almost one-quarter of men and 33% of women reported a history of childhood physical abuse while rates of sexual abuse were 12% for men and 49% for women.

In addition, the study found that sexual abuse raised the risk of also developing anxiety disorder and emotional abuse increased the risk of developing depression. People who were physically abused in childhood and became alcohol dependent were more likely to have a history of suicide attempts. Alcoholics who experience more than one type of childhood abuse were more likely to develop another psychiatric disorder or to attempt suicide.

The study suggests how important trauma assessment is in alcohol treatment services, the authors said.

The study appears in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

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Family Drug Counseling – Family Can Be the Driving Force Behind Freedom from Drug Addiction

The trauma that the family of a drug addict goes through

The family of a drug addict goes through devastating circumstances. Not only does the family have to accept and come to terms with addiction, they also have to deal with external crisis like police cases that the addict might be facing, debts that he might have incurred and criminal cases. The emotional turmoil and depression combined with these external factors can cause such a distress that the trauma sometimes destroys the family. At a time when the family needs to stand united behind the addict and help him or her kick the habit, many families find themselves stranded and broken up. The only solution to the problem is to attend family drug counseling, which helps the family learn to stand united in the time of crisis, accept and forgive the addict and be the force that can ultimately provide freedom from addiction.

How do family drug counseling centers work?

There are two kinds of family counseling programs. The first is as a part of rehabilitation program when the addict is in a rehab home and the institution organizes family meetings where matters are openly discussed. The second type of counseling is when the addict might not be in the rehab center. Online counseling is also an alternative these days.