Clinical correlates of childhood abuse and neglect in substance dependents

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of childhood abuse and neglect (CAN) in Turkish substance dependents and to investigate the relationship between CAN with axis I disorders, personality disorders and severity of depression and anxiety symptoms. Among 132 substance dependents, 56.1% met dichotomous criteria for some form of CAN. Current age was lower, whereas rate of suicide attempt, self-destructive behavior, divorce of parents, major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lifetime specific phobia and personality disorders were higher in patients with history of CAN. Severity of depression and anxiety symptoms were also higher in group with CAN and number of abuse type was correlated with depression and anxiety scores. Lifetime major depression, lifetime PTSD, suicide attempt, self-destructive behavior and divorce of parents predicted CAN. The high rate of CAN found among Turkish substance dependents suggests that special attention must be given to identify CAN in this group. Findings of this study showed that there is a relationship between history of CAN and some axis I disorders, personality disorders and severity of depression and anxiety symptoms.