High Rates of Alcohol Use and History of Physical and Sexual Abuse among Women Outpatients

Abstract

A total of 189 consecutive new women patients were surveyed at an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic which did not have a specific program for the treatment of alcoholics. Twenty-seven patients (14%) reported a history of heavy alcohol consumption measured by scores of 10 or more on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), but only 16 had a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence made by a clinician. Those with a self-reported history of physical and/or sexual abuse had significantly higher scores on the MAST than those with no such history. When the first abuse occurred before the age of 18 years and there was no recent reported abuse, the association of abuse and high MAST scores persisted, suggesting that early physical or sexual abuse may be associated with current levels of alcohol use.

Alcohol abuse in individuals exposed to trauma: A critical review.

“…Some researchers have examined rates of alcoholism in psychiatric outpatients (e.g., Mieselman, 1978;Swett, Cohen, Surrey, Compaine, & Chavez, 1991 ). For example, Swett et al ( 1991 ) surveyed 189 women at an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic.…”

“…However, Swett et al ( 1991 ) showed that even early exposure to trauma is associated with high rates of alcohol abuse in adulthood. Kovach (1986) has postulated a delayedonset PTSD model to explain these findings.…”

Childhood Physical Punishment and Later Alcohol Drinking Consequences: Evidence From a Chinese Context

“…A sturdy CPP-AUD association also has been observed in more restricted clinical and nonclinical population samples of various types, including college freshmen, prisoners, lesbians, and U.S. Marine recruits (Anda et al, 2002;Brown and Anderson, 1991;Clark et al, 1997;Downs et al, 2004;Kunitz et al, 1998;Sher et al, 1997;Swett et al, 1991;Trent et al, 2007). Summarized across these studies, the strength of the association can be characterized as weak to moderate, with estimated odds ratios (ORs) generally in the range of 1.2-2.5.…”

Alcohol Use and Abuse: A Pediatric Concern

“…Depressed adolescents or those who have been physically or sexually abused may use alcohol to attempt to cope with their psychological distress and have a higher incidence of alcohol or other drug addiction. 31,32 Peer Influence Thirty percent of children in grades 4 through 6 report that they have received a lot of pressure from their classmates to drink beer. 33 During adolescence, drinking behavior, which often begins in a family setting, may continue with and be reinforced by peers.…”