The role of early life stress as a predictor for alcohol and drug dependence.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Genetic and environmental influences on the development of alcohol and drug dependence are equally important. Exposure to early life stress, that is unfortunately common in the general population, has been shown to predict a wide range of psychopathology, including addiction.

Objective

This review will look at the characteristics of early life stress that may be specific predictors for adolescent and adult alcohol and drug dependence and will focus on studies in humans, non-human primates and rodents.

Results

Experiencing maltreatment and cumulative stressful life events prior to puberty and particularly in the first few years of life is associated with early onset of problem drinking in adolescence and alcohol and drug dependence in early adulthood. Early l

SUBMITTER: Enoch MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3005022 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature