Adverse childhood experiences and illicit drug use in adolescents: Findings from a national addictions treatment population in Singapore. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gomez, Brenda; Peh, Chao Xu; Cheok, Christopher; Guo, Song
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 23:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Adolescence -- child abuse -- drug abuse; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2017.1348558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Aim: Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable period for illicit drug use. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among adolescents in a national addiction treatment sample, and investigate the role of ACEs in adolescent drug use. Methods: The study examined data from 260 adolescents, information on ACE exposure and drug use were obtained from retrospective chart review. Results: About 46.5% of the sample experienced at least one ACE and 25.0% experienced two or more ACEs. Results showed that exposure to household dysfunction was associated with drug-related substance use disorders (SUDs). Additionally, exposure to multiple ACEs was associated with SUDs, earlier drug initiation, and more severe drug use. Conclusions: Given that a significant proportion of adolescents presenting for addiction treatment had a history of ACEs, the associations between ACEs and deleterious patterns of illicit drug use highlight the potential adverse impact of ACEs on proximal outcomes in adolescents.