Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on May 28, 2007
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2007 42(4):370-375; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agm036
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Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Medical Council on Alcohol.
Alcohol abuse among U.S. Navy recruits who were maltreated in childhood
1 Naval Health Research Center, Behavioral Science and Epidemiology Program San Diego, CA
2 Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed at: Naval Health Research Center, P.O. Box 85122, San Diego, CA, 92186-5122, USA. Tel: +1 619 553 8464; Fax: +1 619 553 8459; E-mail: trent{at}nhrc.navy.mil
Received 15 February 2007; ; accepted 29 March 2007
| Abstract |
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Aims:To examine relationships between childhood maltreatment and alcohol-related problems among U.S. Navy recruits. Methods: An anonymous sample of 5697 Navy recruits completed a survey regarding their alcohol consumption, alcohol problems (binge drinking, drinking until drunk, alcohol dependence, alcohol-related arrests), and experiences of childhood physical and sexual abuse. Results: Most of the recruits used alcohol, and a substantial proportion reported histories of childhood maltreatment. Recruits who had been victimized as children were more likely to use alcohol. Furthermore, among drinkers, those who had been abused were more likely to exhibit alcohol problems than were non-abused drinkers. Conclusion: Substantial numbers of personnel with alcohol-related problems may be using alcohol to self-medicate due to a history of childhood abuse. Attention to the association between alcohol abuse and childhood maltreatment might help improve the efficacy of military alcohol reduction programs.