The Impact of Abuse Trauma on Alcohol and Drug Use: a Study of High-Risk Incarcerated Girls

ABSTRACT

This study examines the impact of abuse trauma (physical and sexual) on alcohol and drug use of high-risk girls (12 to 18 years of age) who were surveyed within the first two weeks of their incarceration. One-way ANOVA analyses and Tukey post hoc tests indicate physical abuse with a weapon was associated with higher marijuana use and number of drugs used. Sexual abuse, especially within the past year, increased marijuana use, alcohol use, number of drugs used, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems. Policy implications reflect the need for treatment protocols within substance abuse programs to address abuse trauma, particularly forced sex which has occurred within the past year.

KEYWORDS:

• abuse trauma
• high-risk girls
• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• substance abuse

Funding

This research was supported in part by a grant awarded to Angela A. Robertson from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA17509).