Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Substance Use Disorders: A Case Of Patients at Mathari National Teaching nd Referral Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a pressing public health concern worldwide, with growing evidence linking adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to increased vulnerability to addiction. While global research has established ACE–SUD associations, limited studies in Kenya have examined how early-life trauma influences substance use onset, severity, and treatment outcomes within rehabilitation contexts. This study investigated the relationship between ACEs and SUDs among patients admitted to the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital (MNTRH) Rehabilitation Center, Kenya’s The study sought to determine the prevalence and severity of ACEs among inpatients with SUDs, identify the types of substances most commonly used, and establish correlations between specific ACE categories and substance use patterns. The study was guided by theoretical framework that integrates Trauma Theory, Attachment Theory, and Social Learning Theory to comprehensively understand the complex relationship between childhood trauma and substance use. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was adopted, with a systematically selected sample of 83 inpatients Data was collected using a biodemographic questionnaire, the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 through descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. The findings revealed that alcohol (41%), was the most reported substance of use, emotional neglect (62%) was the highest ACE and a significant positive association was established between ACEs and substance use. This study concludes that ACEs play a central role in shaping substance use behaviors among patients in Kenya and highly recommends integrating trauma-informed interventions into rehabilitation to reduce vulnerability and relapse rates.