Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Early adversity, such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), is a risk factor for the development of substance use disorder (SUD). ACEs are associated with earlier initiation of substance use. This study examined the relationship between ACEs and age of initiation of substance use using survival analysis. It is hypothesized that individuals with higher ACEs will have an earlier age of initiation.
METHOD: Participants were recruited from the University of Kentucky's Laboratory for Human Behavioral Pharmacology. Participants were 18 years or older, English speaking, and actively engaged in substance use. Participants were not in substance abuse treatment nor were they seeking treatment. ACE scores were calculated, and age of substance use initiation was recorded. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine the effect of ACE score on age of substance use initiation.
RESULTS: A total of 107 participants completed the study. An average number of 2.3 ACEs (SD = 2.2) were endorsed with 24% of participants reporting 4 or more ACEs. Higher ACE scores were associated with cigarette smoking and non-medical prescription opioid use onset ( hazard ratio (HR) = 1.14, 95% CI=1.02-1.28,
CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was found between higher ACE scores and earlier initiation of cigarette and non-medical prescription opioid use, consistent with prior research. Primary prevention of ACEs, screening for ACEs during childhood, and interventions for ACEs if detected, may help to reduce the risk of substance use/SUD in adulthood.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2024
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/00912174231195751
Funding Information
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) [R01DA047391], [R01DA043938], [R01DA048617], [R01DA036550], [R01DA045023], [R01DA047368], [T32 DA07209], [R13DA042568], [K23DA054309]; and the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism (NIAAA) [R01AA026255], [R21AA026129]. The funding body had no role in the design, analysis, or interpretation of the study.
Repository Citation
Meadows, Amy L.; Strickland, Justin C; Hyder, S Maela; Basconi, Rita C; Stull, Margaret E; Wagner, Frances P; Nguyen, Mai N; Rayapati, Abner O.; and Rush, Craig R, "Adverse childhood experiences and early initiation of substance use: A survival analysis." (2024). Psychiatry Faculty Publications. 55.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/psychiatry_facpub/55
Notes/Citation Information
© The Author(s) 2023