History of sexual assault and the treatment of substance abuse disorders

A treatment outcome study of adult patients treated for substance abuse disorders was conducted in which 80% of the participants were successfully contacted for follow-up six months post discharge. Analyses focused on baseline and outcome comparisons of patients with histories of sexual assault and patients with no history of sexual assault. The prevalence of assault in the sample was 15%. Baseline measures indicated that patients in the assaulted group were more likely to have a history of suicide planning and demonstrated greater psychiatric symptom severity as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory. Outcome measures indicated that treatment was effective for both groups in psychiatric symptom reduction and in reduction of alcohol and other drug use. Results are discussed in terms of specific treatment needs for substance abuse patients with sexual assault histories.