(E1) Authors: Sarah F. Eames, Alina Suris, Uma Rao, Hong Xiao, Michael S. Businelle, Robrina Walker, Carol S. North and Bryon Adinoff.

Year: 2014

Title: Stress Moderates the Effect of Childhood Trauma and Adversity on Recent Drinking in Treatment-Seeking Alcohol-Dependent Men.

Country of Origin: EUA

Keywords: Stress, Alcoholism, Childhood Trauma, Men, Trauma

Source: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Level of Evidence: 2

Objective: This study sought to clarify the relationship between trauma/adversity in childhood with later alcohol consumption, and the moderating effects of psychosocial stress in adults.

Study Design: Quantitative cross-sectional study with observation, not experimentation, with no control group. Samples by convenience. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and regression analysis. Significance level and type of tests are not specified in the analytical plan.

Population: Sample with 77 men recently in abstinence from alcohol who attend residential treatment programs.

STROBE: Does not contemplate: 1) Title and abstract: Provide in the abstract an informative and balanced summary of what was done and what was found; 9) Bias: Describe any efforts to address potential sources of bias; 17) Other analyses: Report other analyses done―eg analyses of subgroups and interactions, and sensitivity analyses; 22) Funding: Give the source of funding and the role of the funders for the present study and, if applicable, for the original study on which the present article is based.

Main Results and Conclusions: Childhood traumas predict the severity of drinking in alcohol dependent men, and this effect is stronger in participants with ongoing stress in adulthood. These findings suggest that trauma/adversity in childhood may sensitize the stress response systems [27] .

(E2) Authors: Scott M. Hyman, Miguel Garcia and Rajita Sinha

Year: 2006

Title: Gender Specific Associations Between Types of Childhood Maltreatment and the Onset, Escalation and Severity of Substance Use in Cocaine Dependent Adults.

Country of Origin: EUA

Keywords: Childhood maltreatment; Gender Differences; substance Use

Source: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse

Level of Evidence: 2

Objective: To examine the associations between the types of child maltreatment and its inception, climbing and severity of substance use in cocaine-dependent adults.

Study Design: Quantitative cross-sectional study with observation, not experimentation, with no control group. Samples by convenience. Software used for statistical analysis and significance level not informed the data analysis plan. Held simple regression analysis. Tests: Chi-square, T-test and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum.

Population: Sample with 87 participants, men (n = 55) and women (n = 32) in treatment for cocaine addiction.

STROBE: Does not contemplate: 5) Setting: Describe the setting, locations, and relevant dates, including periods of recruitment, exposure, follow-up, and data collection; 6) Participants: Cross-sectional study―Give the eligibility criteria, and the sources and methods of selection of participants; 9) Bias: Describe any efforts to address potential sources of bias; 14) Descriptive data: (a) Give characteristics of study participants (eg demographic, clinical, social) and information on exposures and potential confounders; 19) Limitations: Discuss limitations of the study, taking into account sources of potential bias or imprecision. Discuss both direction and magnitude of any potential bias.

Main Results and Conclusions: In men, emotional abuse was associated with a younger age for the first use of alcohol and a bigger severity of substance abuse. In women, the sexual abuse, emotional abuse and mistreatment in general were associated with the first use of alcohol, emotional abuse, neglect and mistreatment were associated with a bigger severity of substance abuse. The results suggest that early intervention for childhood victims especially girls, may delay or prevent the early onset of alcohol use and reduce the risk of a more severe course of addiction [17] .