Adverse Childhood Experiences and Drug Use in Adolescence and Adulthood: an Analysis of Evidence

The aim of this study is to review the current evidence on the relation between adverse experiences in childhood and subsequent drug use in adolescence and adulthood and its characteristics. The methodology used was a systematic review of scientific publications, between the period 2013-2017, available in the Scopus database related to adverse experiences in childhood and drug use in adolescence and adulthood that yielded a total of 69 publications included in the study. Adverse experiences in childhood have a high relation with the use and/or abuse of drugs in adolescence and adulthood. Drug use in adolescents and adults exposed to traumatic experiences in childhood occurs mainly in men. The most commonly used drugs are alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and non-prescription drugs, and to a lesser extent opioids, cocaine and amphetamines. Drugs, in this sense, play the role of chemical barrier to distance the emotional pain that derives from the memory of the traumatic experiences and its intense psychic load. Actions of promotion of good treatment in childhood are required, such as the early therapeutic approach of children exposed to traumatic experiences.