Among 709 Lithuanian young adults, childhood sexual abuse predicted higher cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, and heavy drug use, while verbal abuse showed unexpected negative associations with substance use.
trauma researchers, substance use prevention specialists, child welfare professionals
What the researchers found
Sexual abuse predicted higher levels of cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, and heavy psychoactive substance use. Physical maltreatment predicted higher alcohol use. Witnessing interpersonal violence predicted only nicotine use. Unexpectedly, verbal abuse showed significant negative associations across several substance categories. Family addiction history was not significantly associated with substance use.
Why it matters
This is among the first studies in Lithuania to differentiate between types of adverse childhood experiences and their specific substance use outcomes, challenging the common practice of simply summing ACE scores.
The numbers in context
709 participants aged 18-29. Sexual abuse predicted cannabis (CUDIT-R), alcohol (AUDIT), nicotine, and heavy substance use (ASSIST). Physical maltreatment predicted alcohol use. Verbal abuse negatively associated with several substance categories. Family addiction history not significant.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional study of 709 Lithuanian young adults aged 18-29 who completed an online survey. ACEs measured using adapted items and the MACE questionnaire. Substance use assessed via CUDIT-R, AUDIT, ASSIST, and self-report. Structural equation modeling tested predictive relationships.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions. Self-reported ACEs subject to recall bias. Online convenience sample may not be representative. Lithuanian-specific cultural context may limit generalizability. Verbal abuse finding is unexpected and needs replication.
How to read the evidence
Adequate sample size with validated instruments and sophisticated modeling, but cross-sectional design and convenience sample limit to moderate.
When this study was published
Recent cross-sectional study from Lithuania.
The bigger picture
The finding that not all ACEs equally predict substance use, and that verbal abuse may even show a protective association, challenges simplistic models of childhood adversity and addiction. It suggests that the type of adverse experience matters more than the total count.
Questions still open
- Why does verbal abuse show negative associations with substance use?
- Would longitudinal data confirm the specific ACE-substance use pathways?
Common questions
Do all types of childhood trauma increase substance use risk?
Does childhood sexual abuse predict cannabis use specifically?
Read the original research
Exploring Pathways from Childhood Adversity to Substance Use in Young Adults.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(11)
Citation
Sinkevicius, Liudas Vincentas; Sakalauskaite, Sandra; Poskus, Mykolas Simas; Pilkauskaite Valickiene, Rasa; Serapinas, Danielius. (2025). Exploring Pathways from Childhood Adversity to Substance Use in Young Adults.. International journal of environmental research and public health, 22(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111608
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