Self-reported child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and parental history of drug misuse in opioid dependence syndrome

Objective: Childhood sexual abuse is common among patients with opioid dependence syndrome. The aim of this study was to find its prevalence and the relationship to the severity of dependence on opioid in patients attending the outpatient clinic of drug treatment service.

Methods: A set of scales were incorporated in semistructured interview: The Maudsley Addiction Profile; The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS); Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ); Impact of Events Scale; Courtauld Emotional Control Scale; and the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire. Life events were measured using amodificationof earlier life events list for young people. One hundred twenty patients with opioid dependence syndrome and 100 controls were interviewed.

Results: The reported sexual abuses were 32 (21 subjects and 11 controls) with no significant differences. Nevertheless, there was a significant difference in parents using drug/alcohol (P=0.001) and physical abuse (P= 0.001). There was a significant association between the severity of dependence and parent using drugs (SDS r= 0.245, P= 0.007; LDQ r= 0.285, P=0.002); physical abuse (SDS r=0.306, P= 0.001; LDQ r= 0.231, P= 0.011); and sexual abuse (SDS r= 0.185, P= 0.043; LDQ r= 0.180, P= 0.049). Childhood sexual abuse was the only predictor for rape after the age of 18 years.

Conclusions: The findings offer important implications for ways in which health care practitioners can support this group of patients; assessing patient's childhood history of child sexual abuse. A well-designed intervention targeting both opioid dependence and child sexual abuse may help to improve the outcomes of this group of patients.