Adverse childhood experiences in psychoactive substance use disorders: a structured literature review

Adverse childhood experiences include psychological, physical, and sexual forms of abuse, as well as dysfunction in the home, including substance abuse among family members, and mental health problems in the family. These experiences are among the most intense and frequent sources of stress that children can experience early in life, and they also increase their risk of various behavioural disorders and substance abuse. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and potential impact of childhood adverse experiences in connection to alcohol and other psychoactive substance abuse and addiction. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted, and an electronic search of the PubMed database was performed. The review process initially identified 653 articles, of which 11 were included in the review. Results: Smokers and alcohol users are more likely to report an adverse childhood experience compared to people who do not report harmful habits. Parental divorce was one of the most common negative experiences that affected 17-59.5% of the respondents. The results of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey are a potentially significant predictor of risky behaviour.