Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Thursday, December 27, 2007

The DRAM, 3(11) - Childhood Sexual Abuse, Age of First Drink, and Onset of Alcohol Dependence
December 26, 2007

Studies linking childhood sexual abuse (CSA) to higher likelihood of alcohol dependence (AD) later in life (i.e., Dinwiddie et al., 2000; Fergusson, Horwood, & Lynskey, 1996; Kendler et al., 2000; Kilpatrick et al., 2000; Molnair, Buka, & Kessler, 2001; Nelson et al., 2002) might lack adequate control for environmental and genetic factors that influence the relationship between CSA and AD.

These studies are also inconclusive because an earlier age of first drink is associated with later AD regardless of CSA status (DeWit, 2000).

This week’s DRAM reviews a study that controls for the influence of environmental and genetic characteristics, as well as the influence of drinking at an early age using a sample of twins
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