Substance abuse and sexual trauma in a female veteran population

An increasing number of researchers have explored connections between subst ance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sexual assault histor ies in civilian women. Despite literature suggesting the prevalence of subs tance abuse and sexual assault for female veterans, few studies have invest igated these variables in a female veteran population. Thus, this paper was designed to provide preliminary information about this group of women. The results of this preliminary study suggest a high incidence of PTSD related to sexual trauma in a substance-abusing population of female veterans and a high incidence of substance abuse among female veterans Mho presented req uesting help for sexual trauma. Suggestions for future study include examin ation of comparison samples of female veterans with and without PTSD and su bstance abuse across a variety of dimensions, including psychiatric symptom s, substance use, treatment utilization, and impact of treatment. Implicati ons for assessment are highlighted. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All righ ts reserved.