Abstract
The authors explored the relationship between sexual and physical assault and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals seeking treatment 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-six 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 bad higher rates of sexual assault history, serial assault, and familial assault than men. Individuals who bad experienced childhood assault bad earlier age at onset of substance dependence than those who had not experienced childhood assault. Sexual and physical assault histories and psychopathology should be assessed in all substance-dependent individuals. More accurate and specific treatment planning may improve treatment outcomes.