[Base] [Index]

Association Between Child Sexual Abuse and Drug Use

Arellano 1996 in their review of the current research summarize: "In general, current research findings have found a link between child maltreatment and substance use. However, the number of studies focusing on the connection between child abuse and substance use and misuse are limited, and many are plagued with a number of methodological weaknesses."

Comparison with other types of abuse

Brown & Anderson 1991, considering physical and sexual abuse, have found: "Histories of drug and alcohol abuse were more common in patients reporting physical or combined abuse than in nonabused patients."

Arellano 1996 talk about child maltreatment in general, including not only sexual, but also physical abuse.

Richie & Johnson 1996 found among incarcerated women "that an association exists between childhood physical and sexual abuse and drug use, suicide attempts, and homelessness in adulthood."

Comorbidity

Gil-Rivas et.al. 1996 found in a study in a drug abuse treatment program: "Sexual and physical abuse are associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology."

Other results