The Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment and Opiate Dependency in Adolescence and Middle Age

Background: Child maltreatment is a global phenomenon with possible serious long-term consequences. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between childhood maltreatment and opiate dependency in older age. Methods: In this study, ۲۱۲ opiate dependent individuals and ۲۱۶ control subjects were selected consecutively. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire which consisted of background variables, General Health Questionnaire-۱۲ (GHQ-۱۲), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The questionnaires were anonymously completed by both groups in a private environment after obtaining informed consents. Findings: The mean age in the addicts and non-addicts were ۳۱.۴ ± ۶.۷ and ۳۰.۸ ± ۷.۵, respectively (P = ۰.۳۶۷). Moreover, ۸۴.۴% of the opiate abusers and ۷۶.۹% percent of the control group were male (P = ۰.۰۵۱). The mean score of CTQ in the study and control groups were ۴۷.۲ ± ۱.۰ and ۳۵.۸ ± ۰.۶, respectively (P < ۰.۰۰۱). The frequency of all types of abuse and neglect were higher in the addicted group. While ۷۰.۳% of the study group reported at least one type of childhood maltreatment, this figure was as low as ۳۳.۸% in the control group (P < ۰.۰۰۱). After adjusting the two groups for differing background characteristics and the GHQ-۱۲ score, emotional abuse (OR = ۵.۰۶), physical neglect (OR = ۱.۹۶), and sexual abuse (OR = ۱.۸۹) were proved to have significant relationships with addiction to opiates. Conclusion: The frequency of all types of childhood maltreatment in the group addicted to opiates was higher than the control group. Emotional abuse, physical neglect, and sexual abuse had significant effects after adjusting other variables. Keywords: Adolescent, Child abuse, Substance dependency.