Childhood and adult violence in the lives of women who misuse substances

A review of the literature found that women substance misusers, more often than men, have been found to have high rates of violent victimization as children and as adults. These victims of childhood sexual and physical abuse exhibit negative psychological outcomes of low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety, and they may turn to substance use as a way to cope with these painful psychological consequences. Once women begin to use substances, their experience in the drug world, coupled with their vulnerable psychological state from childhood trauma puts them at risk for continued victimization from domestic violence, and from sexual assault. The experience of adult victimization reinforces negative feelings of low self-worth, depression and helplessness for these women which in turn leads to continued misuse and dependence on substances. Clinical implications for treatment of women with substance misuse problems are presented, and suggestions for future research are discussed.