In a large, nationally representative dataset, childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and physical neglect significantly increased the lifetime odds of adult alcohol dependence, independent of demographic characteristics, co-occurring childhood maltreatments and other traumatic childhood events. Furthermore, in a synergistic manner, parental history increased the odds of alcohol dependence associated with physical abuse in the whole sample, and the odds associated with sexual abuse and emotional neglect among women. These results suggest a role of genetic vulnerability and gender in the mechanism underlying the maltreatment–alcohol dependence relationship. Findings support the hypothesis that individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment are at a significantly elevated risk of adult alcohol dependence, and that this risk may further depend on genetic vulnerability.
