The early life experiences of alcoholic abusers, giving specific attention to child neglect

Abstract

The aim of the study is to try to find out whether negative early life experiences, including child abuse and neglect, can be cues for a person to develop alcohol problems in later life. By increasing knowledge on this, the social worker would be more knowledgeable when working with alcohol abusers and can therefore help them in a better way. Alcohol abusers who have passed through negative childhood experiences may also find this knowledge to be useful. In order to conduct this research, an agency was contacted and four subjects gave their consent in taking part in the study. This study was decided to be a qualitative research. Case studies were made with the four subjects and interviews took place. A semi-structured questionnaire was available in order to focus the interviews on the topic. From the four case studies conducted with the particular subjects involved, there was a clear indication that negative childhood experiences may lead the person to develop alcohol problems in later life. In this study, neglect was particularly focused upon, and it was found that all four subjects suffered child neglect. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all people who suffered child abuse or neglect develop alcohol problems. This study does not give a clear indication of causes or effects, but contributes to an increase in knowledge. There is still a need for more research to be done about the relationship between child neglect and alcohol abuse.