Child Maltreatment and Illicit Substance Abuse: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies

This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to different types of child maltreatment (CM) and the development of substance use disorders (SUDs) later in life. A systematic review was conducted: the PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases were searched for relevant papers and ten studies were identified for further analysis. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for each type of maltreatment in order to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for SUD incidence, and meta-regressions were performed to explore potential moderators. Individuals with a history of physical abuse during childhood had a 74 per cent increased risk for drug abuse later in life (OR=1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.362.18). The risk for drug abuse was also 73 per cent higher in individuals with a history of sexual abuse during childhood (OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.242.41). A meta-regression found that gender has a moderating effect, with women at a greater risk of SUD incidence compared to men. Exposure to CM, such as physical and sexual abuse in childhood, increases the risk of further substance abuse. Understanding the interplay between the different factors associated with violence and abuse of psychoactive substances is of fundamental importance in designing prevention approaches and interventions for drug users. Key Practitioner Messages Child exposure to violence was associated with the development of substance use disorder. Exposure to violence affects men and women in a gender-dependent manner, with females being at a higher risk. Understanding the interplay between the different factors associated with violence and drug abuse is of fundamental importance to design prevention approaches and interventions. Drug users have higher rates of child maltreatment and psychological suffering compared to the general population.