Despite the evidence for the role of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and physical neglect in the development of adult alcohol dependence, not all individuals who experience these maltreatments develop alcohol dependence. This suggests that maltreatment is just one among a set of risk factors for alcohol dependence. Identification of the risk factors which work in conjunction with maltreatment to produce alcohol dependence (i.e. effect modifiers) is critical for two primary reasons. First, investigation of the mechanisms underlying the childhood maltreatment-alcohol dependence association will contribute important scientific knowledge about alcohol dependence etiology. Second, information about the conditions under which maltreatment increases the risk for alcohol dependence could facilitate the development and implementation of more effective interventions by tailoring them towards maltreated children with the greatest risk of alcohol dependence, building in specific components designed to prevent behaviors that often precede alcohol dependence such as very early onset of drinking or heavy drinking.
