[The Gothenburg study of women and alcohol: problems during childhood and adolescence important risk factors].

This is a part of longitudinal study concerning women and alcohol in Gothenburg. The aim was to find out more about risk factors for alcohol dependence and abuse (ADA) among women in the general population, as well as social conditions and life style among these women. Several indicators of dissatisfactory childhood conditions, and particularly sexual abuse before age 13, were related to ADA in adulthood. Early substance abuse, such as having been intoxicated before age 15 and having used narcotics before 18, was strongly related to future ADA. Our findings point to the need of paying attention to mental health problems in childhood and youth, and to prevent early use of alcohol and drugs.