Methods: This paper will report findings from an exploratory study of 125 women enrolled in a large urban substance use treatment program who completed a questionnaire with standardized instruments and open ended questions about victimization. Addiction severity index scores from their intake assessments were used in the data analyses.
Results: High rates of child abuse, male partner abuse and racism experiences were found in the sample. Based on bivariate correlations child abuse was positively and significantly associated with self-silencing and subjective distress. Past male partner sexual abuse and institutional racism were significantly and positively associated with drug problem severity and current male partner emotional, physical and sexual abuse with alcohol problem severity. A proposed model for further testing, explaining the relationship of the variables to substance problem severity is presented.
Implications for practice: Women in substance treatment programs should be screened for current partner violence and be provided appropriate interventions. Substance treatment programs should develop assessment and safety policies around current victims in their program, including training for their staff. Increased collaboration with local victim service programs is suggested for substance treatment programs to increase training for staff and appropriate interventions for clients. Programs should address the role of racism for women of color.