situations (Padesky, 1994)] develop throughout childhood during normal cognitive development. Individuals who experience childhood maltreatment can develop maladaptive schemas (Lumley & Harkness, 2007) which are thought to underlie psychopathology including alcohol dependence (Wright et al. 1993). Cognitive therapies target and modify these maladaptive schemas. These are effective in improving current mental health problems among sexually abused children (Macmillan et al. 2009), and are also effective in treating substance use disorders (Wright et al. 1993; Marques & Formigoni, 2001; McHugh et al. 2010). This suggests that cognitive restructuring techniques could be incorporated into interventions for maltreated children to treat existing psychiatric problems and prevent the development of later alcohol use disorders.
