SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ASSAULT HISTORY AND POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDERIN SUBSTANCE-DEPENDENT INDIVIDUALS

The authors explored the relationship between sexual and physical assa ult and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals seeking tr eatment for substance use disorders by giving 100 substance-dependent inpatients (50 men, 50 women) a structured interview on traumatic life events and lifetime histories of sexual and physical assault. Sixty-s ix percent of individuals had a history of sexual or physical assault. Half of the assault victims met DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD, whereas no one in the non-assault group met criteria for PTSD. Type of assault and specific characteristics of victims were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders. Women had higher rates of sexual assault history, serial assault, and familial assault than men. Individuals wh o had experienced childhood assault had earlier age at onset of substa nce dependence than those who had not experienced childhood assault. S exual and physical assault histories and psychopathology should be ass essed in all substance-dependent individuals. More accurate and specif ic treatment planning may improve treatment outcomes.